I was at a girlfriend's home for Christmas one year and we were all opening our gifts, when her Mom - a fairly large woman - pulls out one of her gifts and holds it up for all to admire.

Now me wanting to throw in as many compliments as I could, told her what a beautiful shower curtain she had received. Guess what? It wasn't a shower curtain, it was a very bright and colorful nightgown.

The entire room went quiet for a moment, then everyone burst into laughter. I was very careful the rest of the night when giving anymore compliments.