Aside from the OP noticing her friend’s eye rolling, I honestly never thought anyone saying something like this to me came from a negative intent. I said those responses in earnest, thinking they were complimenting me.

I’ve had people on occasion say ‘must be nice…’ and I just thought they were envious. I didn’t think it was an insult. It just made me feel more appreciative that I had something they thought was good and wished they did. Thanks and It is nice! Were they cutting me down? Was I too naive to notice? I probably also said something back to them complimenting something they had, too, like to make them feel better.

Now that I look back I remember there were two girls in school who made a comment that I was ‘the star’. They probably rolled their eyes and I didn’t notice. I was the lead in most of the shows. I guess I got the gist they were envious, but I didn’t find it insulting. I felt like, ‘yes siree and I’m lovin’ it!’… though I acted humble.

But, like the OP, if my good friend was eye rolling about me, I’d take issue with it. I’d ask her why she’s rolling her eyes, probably have a confrontation, likely end the friendship.

My friend (met at 13) was admittedly envious of me over I had boyfriends and she was chronically rejected. She’d say ‘must be nice…’ and it didn’t end our friendship. I felt sorry for her that she didn’t do well with guys. It was her own doing. I suppose she was putting me down, saying that I was not very pretty but had guys interested. I wasn’t insulted. Maybe I should have been? But, coming from a friend who had issues, how can I expect her to act more healthy? She wasn’t healthy! We did end up having an unstable relationship on and off over the span of our lives. She only got more unhealthy. Maybe those early signs were red flags that I chose to ignore.