A compliment is the best way to create warmth with someone. When done correctly, it can be used to honor someone’s work, personality, or choices. By acknowledging something specific, you’re showing that you care about that person and have paid attention to the details. This creates a stronger bond between people and helps you connect with others on a deeper level.
Just as important as the giving is knowing how to receive a compliment. Sometimes we are hesitant to accept because we are too humble or uncomfortable with the recognition. A quick “Thank you, I appreciate that” or “Thanks, glad you like it” will give the person giving the compliment the assurance they are being heard. Receiving a compliment without brushing it off or trying to return one shows that you appreciate their kind intentions and are not afraid to be confident. You can’t have one without the other and by allowing the person to give you a compliment will leave you both feeling better after the encounter.
The cultural aspect of complimenting completes the level of sophistication. The way people give and receive compliments varies greatly and must be learned. While some may prefer the straightforward approach, others prefer something more subtle. Understanding the need to ask a question to compliment or simply to state an observation or to show indirect gratitude are all signs of emotional intelligence. Of course, it is also important to learn how to accept a compliment in different cultures as well. The capability of maneuvering through the various methods and scenarios will prevent confusion and will allow for more substantial bonding and respect.
Context also matters: Some compliments are best given in private and others in public. A well-timed public compliment can give the people within earshot a good feeling and encourage them to emulate the behavior. You can call out someone’s efforts in a difficult situation. This will be a pleasant surprise to them. Alternatively, you can give a compliment after the task has been done. Avoid giving too many compliments in a short span of time, because they will not be valued. If they are spaced out, they will contribute to an overall impression of someone who is thoughtful and caring.
In short, being a good compliment-giver and -receiver is about being a kind and present person. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to notice other people and compliment them; doing so makes our conversations more enjoyable, our relationships stronger and our social environments more pleasant. So let’s try to take a moment to notice the people around us and compliment them, it’s one of the nicest ways of reminding each other that being a human being is beautiful.