Receiving, Giving, and Hearing Compliments
Compliments can be great. They can also make people uncomfortable if they don't know how to handle them. Maybe you've given a compliment, and it fell flat. Or perhaps someone complimented you, and you brushed it off, unsure how to respond. Or maybe you felt awkward hearing someone else receive a compliment while standing right next to them.
This post is about how to receive, give, and hear compliments in a simple, sincere, and thoughtful way.
When you give a compliment, follow it up with a question. It adds a layer of sincerity and often opens up a good conversation. For example, instead of saying, "That's a great shirt," you might say, "That's a great shirt. Where did you get it?" It's simple, and it shows you're genuinely interested.
When you receive a compliment, say "Thank you," "I appreciate you saying that," or "That's very kind of you." Avoid deflecting. Many people downplay compliments without realizing it. They say something like, "Oh, this old thing?" or "It was nothing." This stops you from letting something positive in. Be open to receiving good things. Compliments are a good place to practice that. People also often enjoy giving compliments. Please don't take that away from them. Let them enjoy it.
When you hear someone else receive a compliment, pay attention to your reaction. This one can be tough. Sometimes, we hear someone being complimented, and without thinking, we compare ourselves. If someone nearby is told, "Great job" or "Nice shirt," it doesn't mean you did a bad job or that your shirt isn't nice. One person receiving a compliment is not an insult to someone else. It just means something positive was noticed. And that's a good thing.
Give these a try and see what happens.
What have you found helpful when giving, receiving, or hearing compliments? Let us know in the comments.
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