Hi Webgobi, for each and every single one of those people who have said that you are already one (a big one!!) ahead of them!! You wouldn't be putting someone else down in that way, just as you said it's rude as heck!! And come on, do they need their eyes testing, or what??!!
But if they're going around saying things like that to people clearly a lack of respect for others, clearly not so interested in what someone is really like, clearly oblivious to how what they say may effect others, clearly insensitive........the list goes on. Now imagine would you rather be you or would you rather be them??
And the answer better be "you" there!!!!
Sure you can tell someone who has said something like that to you that "actually, that's quite a rude/hurtful thing to say" and shock them into rethinking what they've said but up to you on that one.
What you really need to do more of though, is focus on people who actually matter, who are going to matter to you, right??!! The people who see you for who you are, the people who value/respect you, the people who are going to see you.
And that doesn't mean ignoring your looks either!! If someone isn't "conventionally" attractive, their personality, character can still show in their looks......their facial expressions.....their mannerisms.........and the attractiveness of those make the person attractive to someone who actually bothers to really see someone.
Alison