If the question (compliment versus bad thing) were ment generally and not in a specific, then I would say that it depends on the person who say it and the person who hear it. (Yeah, I know, that sentence were a bit too long for my taste)
Let us take an example from Norway. In northern Norway, they often call someone "hestkuk" (horsecock in english). If the police stops you for speeding in northern Norway, and you call the police "hestkuk", then he might laugh and let you off with a warning.
But if you do the same in southern parts of Norway, you will get a ticket for speeding and a ticket for assaut to a police officer.