How many compliments do you give someone in a day, a week, or a month? It’s a question I really want you to think about. Would you just walk up to a stranger and give them a compliment?
Think back to the last time you got a compliment from someone else. It probably felt good. Even a stranger telling you that you are wearing a nice outfit can be a nice thing to hear. Compliments from friends, colleagues, and loved ones can be particularly nice to hear. And — for that matter — it can feel good to compliment someone else as well. Yet, most people don’t compliment others as often as they should.
As I was lining up for a flight this month, a lady gave me a compliment. I smiled back at her and said thank you. What she didn’t know was I was having a rough day. It was a long travel day, and I had just gotten news that my aunt had passed away, and I was struggling. When she looked at me and complimented me, it put a smile of my face and brought some happiness to the surface. She didn’t know how my day was going or that I had just lost my aunt. You never know how that one compliment can change someone’s day.
Giving a compliment doesn’t just make the person receiving the complement feel good. The person giving the complement also feels good. I believe when someone is confident in themselves, they are better at giving compliments. They aren’t looking for anything to gain – just being their confident self and genuinely noticing someone who is dressed nicely or has a nice hairstyle.
After thinking about this compliment thing for a while, I thought I would put it to the test and see how people who are strangers act on compliments. I was flying to Arkansas to speak, and as I was sitting in the airport, I starting complimenting people. How many people did I compliment? Around 20. What were some of the responses I got?
“I really like your suit – the color is fantastic”
Response – “Me? Aw thank you.”
SURPRISED!!
“You really have a cute hairstyle.”
Response – “Oh thank you, and I really like your outfit.”
A RETURNED COMPLIMENT
“I love the color of your sweatshirt.”
Response – “Thank you. I got it at the State Fair. It was at this booth that had all kinds for fun stuff. I wanted to get the matching pants but just didn’t.”
A LOT OF INFORMATION
“Your suitcase is a really cool color.”
Response – NOTHING. I was ignored
HEADPHONES IN – DIDN’T HEAR ME
