Patronizing works better in private

The other day I meant to praise a conference organizer for getting good speakers over the years.

“You punch above your weight,” I told her.

She took it as an insult: “Just how low is my weight that it's remarkable that I'm punching above it?”

Acknowledging her half-meant point, I sent her this classic video mash-up of President Obama telling the leader of every small country that his or her nation “punches above its weight” in foreign affairs.