(I have more thoughts on this that I'm not going to address until I'm in front of a keyboard.)
I think a lot of the reason why people do chime in with the "but you look fine to _me_" isn't to contradict but to inform; we're aware of the disparity between the self's perception of self and of others, so we seek to reassure others that they are as we would like to be. It's a bit like triangulation.
Also, it's difficult to talk meaningfully to other people about their perceptions of themselves, especially when you disagree, and "so you don't like the way you look? Huh, that sucks." is a pretty low mark to find a better comment than. :-)
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I think a lot of the reason why people do chime in with the "but you look fine to _me_" isn't to contradict but to inform; we're aware of the disparity between the self's perception of self and of others, so we seek to reassure others that they are as we would like to be. It's a bit like triangulation.
Also, it's difficult to talk meaningfully to other people about their perceptions of themselves, especially when you disagree, and "so you don't like the way you look? Huh, that sucks." is a pretty low mark to find a better comment than. :-)