Some people say mean things to your face but mask them as compliments.
Comments that sound cheery but are laced with poison are called backhanded compliments.
People might throw out these comments because they want to take you down a notch.
Their motives could include self-aggrandizement or a desire to undermine your confidence.
On the other hand, someone who cares about you might make this error without realizing it.
Your friend wants to say something nice, but an unflattering truth gets tangled up in the words.