You sound just like me!  I'm always "just" the cute girl too, and I've always wanted to be more.  But one way to look at it is that being called cute sure beats being called ugly.  And if you're cute, you can probably dress yourself up and put make up on to make you look/feel "hot" or "pretty."  But still, I think cute is the same thing as being pretty, so don't feel so hung up on yourself.  That guy doesn't seem to be good with words obviously...so why trust what he said anyways?

Nothing wrong with being "just" cute.  A lot of people would die to be just "cute".  Good luck in seeing that you have value in being a person whatever you look like. 

Seriously, sad that this is an issue.  I've been told I'm cute, hot, sexy, pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, ugly, fat, skinny, too skinny, too chubby, too this and too that, not enough this not enough that.  In the end, none of it actually really truly matters because to one person I'm "cute" and to another I'm "pretty".  I prefer to be told that I'm nice, smart, generous, logical, crazy and weird to being told I look good. 

Words are words. Whatever word a person uses is ok and should be taken as a compliment and make you feel good about yourself. We all are beautiful and remember, is not only the physical appearance that makes someone "beautiful" but also what's inside. There are a lot of great looking people out there whose personalities just blow them off.... and like the lady above says, there are other more important compliments you can be told that not only refer to "beauty" but to your personality and kind heart

okay, maybe this will make you feel better:  i think you're ugly.

i remember a post a long time ago by one of the d-ish interns titled "i'm tired of being cute, i want to be sexy" (or something to that effect).  it was followed up a few days later by another intern, titled "i'm tired of being sexy, i want to be cute."  i still remember what i wrote in response to the second post...

"moral of the story:  girls can't take a fucking compliment." 

@TheNotoriousGOD@xanga - No kidding!  Nothing wrong with being "cute". 

Don't let one guy's stupidity make you get down on yourself. The fact of the matter is, this guy who supposedly "liked" you gave you what is known as a "backhanded compliment". This means that while he phrased it like a compliment, he was actually insulting you. And you took what he said far too much to heart. Just because he "chased" you for two years doesn't mean he had any real regard or affection for you... It means he was trying to see if he could catch you, which is different. And once he had you, he put you down. Classic dick move.

Forget that idiot and focus on being the best you there is. Don't hang so much of your self esteem on what some guy thinks. Or on what your culture dictates. Most of what most people will think about you doesn't matter. What matters is how you see yourself, and how the people you love and respect see you. One day, hopefully, you will find that one man - not guy, man - who will find you beautiful. For what is on the inside will be reflected in his eyes.

@TiredSoVeryTired@xanga - At least you have been told a multitude of things. I've never been called anything but "cute"...well, just adorable and fatty. Once or twice called sexy by my ex-SO but that's it. 

@TheNotoriousGOD@xanga - Thank you, really. If you would have read correctly...cute means "okay but not attractive" so in other words since I've NEVER been called that before (not even my ex-SO would call me beautiful/pretty....even when I told him it's nice to hear things like that), I probably am. BTW, those posts, "I'd rather be ____ than ____" at least they're constantly SOMETHING. I've only been referred to as cute a few times. And cute can sometimes be said to a girl if you don't want to be mean for them. But regardless, thank you for your honesty. At least someone can be upfront about how ugly I am.

@AgainstTheWind1@xanga - Actually I have been called ugly MANY times. People will tell me my lips and eyes are small so that my face looks "so fucking huge". They will call my sister beautiful/gorgeous and tell me that I should just have a nice job because they don't think I will marry. Also I do have real problems. In fact, I fix OTHER people's problem. After 22 years of helping everyone else's problem, I thought that maybe it was time to fix my own problem I've been secretly fighting. So yea. No fucking thank you.

@terra_goddess@xanga - Yeah, see, I knew you'd take that the wrong way, but at least I tried to tell you it wasn't meant to be mean beforehand.

The point here is that what the world thinks of how you look is only as important as you let it be. Why bother caring if ppl think your sister is more attractive than you? Really... it doesn't matter.

No, really. It doesn't matter. Repeat it like a mantra if you must. I'm not saying don't fight this problem you've been hiding for so long, I'm just saying don't let it be a bigger problem than it really is. It boils down to something as simple as realizing you're more than what vain people think of you. That's all.

Being called "hot" seems to be a temporary thing.  Beauty is eternal. 
That kind of lasting quality can only be from the inside out.

@TheNotoriousGOD@xanga - I agree! I think cute is Hot. Ok ok, maybe Pamela Anderson is Hot but I wouldn't ever go out with her. Or Jessica Simpson (well, the older her. Hot but no brain in my opinion). I prefer someone cuter like Liv Tyler or Natalie Portman (also, it is part personality too). I think these a girls are beautiful and attractive but I would describe them as beautiful not hot. I would judge the guy more for saying your sister is hot, but that also depends on the context. Did you (the author of this blog) ask him if she was? I dont know why on earth, girls like to ask guys questions that get them in trouble no matter what they say: Oh, so you think she is HOTT? Oh, so you think she is UGLY? I hear that guys from Star Wars going: Its a trap, Its a trap! (http://www.wildsoundmovies.com/images/star_wars_its_a_trap.jpg) lol

@terra_goddess@xanga - yes, you're right, i didn't read your post properly.  so now that i have--i fully retract my last comment.  i think the title of your post is a little misleading because it kind of sends the reader the message "i am picky about the compliments i get from guys."

anyway, that all being said.  do you wear make-up and dress well?  if not, that's probably a start.  i'm significantly more likely to hit on a girl who shows that she puts effort into her appearance than one who doesn't, even if the latter is more "naturally" attractive. 

i almost *wish* guys could wear make-up and all that shit.  i'm not particularly attractive myself--the only reason i stand a chance on a cold approach is that i dress well. 

on a final note, i assure you that there are plenty of white guys with yellow fever out there.  (i also assumed you're "asian" of the yellow rice variety, not brown rice.)

@Doubledb@xanga - Hey! Watch out brother. Liv is mine, ALL mine. You keep your scandalous eyes off'a her, you hear me?

If you're bothered by it so much, change up your look. It's not bad to be "cute", but if you prefer to be more, wear more/better makeup, work out, etc.