Oh, I used to get this A LOT in a previous long term rt and I do understand it was meant in a condescending, dismissive and minimizing manner - nothing could be further than the truth and I think it is more of a reflection of the person saying it than the person at the receiving end -

I think people will continue saying what they want to say even if they know they're not being fair to the other person - maybe it's their way of making themselves feel better or self righteous or whatever...?