This conversation took place in my classroom today.

Student 1:  Ms. Capalla, you look really bad today.

Me (smiling):  Wow.  Thanks for making me feel good about myself.

Student 1:  Oh…

Me:  What did you mean, “I look bad”?

Student 1:  You look like you’re sick.

Me:  I know.  I refuse to be sick, though.

I turn around to do something else.

Student 2 (to Student 1):  I can’t believe you said that.  That was just wrong…