Whatever you do, giving and receiving compliments plays a critical role in building and maintaining relationships. When done well, a compliment is one of the most powerful ways to let someone know that we value and appreciate them. Yet, these interactions can be surprisingly tricky to navigate for both the giver and the receiver.
Most times, givers often feel that their compliments might be misinterpreted, seen as not genuine, or they might be seen as a kiss-up. The receivers too might feel undeserving of the compliment, question the giver’s intention, or worry that they won’t be able to reciprocate well. These reasons make people associate embarrassment and discomfort with this process.
I however think that to get better at giving compliments, we must first get better at receiving them.
How to Accept a Compliment.
Many people have trouble accepting compliments for a number of reasons. Sometimes it can be caused by feelings of low self-esteem, social anxiety, or unfamiliarity with receiving compliments.
I know sometimes it’s hard for us to tell when a compliment is genuine, and we might automatically try to play safe by responding with a joke. The thing is, when a person compliments you, the proper response is to give a thank you.
When you are complimented and you pass the credit, respond as if the person is teasing you or awkwardly explain why you don’t deserve it, the giver would not be eager to do it again because you have indirectly judged their opinion untrue. So, rather, reply with a thank you, and if possible, try to return the compliment. (You are not obligated to do so though.)
It shouldn’t matter to you how a compliment is. It’s not your duty to decipher whether a person is genuine or not. It only matters how God sees you and how you see yourself. Once the compliment aligns with the right way you see yourself, it should not matter, take it. Compliments are like gifts, accept them. It does not matter if you agree or disagree with what they are saying, just relate to it as a gift and take it. A simple “thank you” shows that you are confident in yourself.
People can never and will never see you beyond how you see yourself. The way you see something is how it would be and would be treated by others. Be confident in whom you are, and others will too.
When next you are complimented, remember that a simple thank you and reciprocation do it all. And if you are complimented for another person’s work, redirect the compliment to the correct person politely.
Over the week, pay attention to how you react to compliments and you may find that that it’s not that hard to say “Thank you!”
Stay beautiful!
I am Oluwaferanmi,
And you are loved by God.❤
PS: I dislike long posts and if I was to share how to give sincere compliments, it would become one. So tomorrow, I will put up a post on that. Thanks for reading to this end. See you tomorrow. Bright and early!
The A Word 