Ai-kendo (better than you)

Annoyin -Annoyang manoeuvre: In this technique, you conscientiously try to avoid hurting your sumfren's feelings by not saying what you actually mean, but at the same time making it pretty clear that you mean what you're trying not to say.
Some features of this technique include:

1. Staring in bewilderment.
2. Stammering.
3. Pausing for awkward expanses of time.
4. Emitting a flat "Wow" without joy or surprise. (See Ben Stein.)

Also, a good "wow" whistle or the weak smile can do wonders.

Scenario: Your aunt Milna gives you the most grotesque ceramic duck. It offends ducks. It offends ceramic pots. The kiln almost imploded to save us all. Some responses would be:

Creative revision: And when you look at it sideways, it's an amoeba!

Vague yet true: That's really something...

Incredulous/rueful: I can't believe you never took an art class.

Country Gibberish: Wowwee, that's got the whatsits like a bustit!

Academic Gibberish: If you deconstruct this, you will find the essence of a duck's being. Here's a hammer.

Part for the Whole: Now that's a webbed foot...right?