Thrill others with an unexpected compliment

compliment comic

I have had some unexpected and very pleasant compliments in my life. The reason I am sharing this is to help others to be able to give that kind of compliments to others. They were received with gratitude and gratefulness that some people had the insight to see who I am.

  1. Look beyond the obvious. Compliments are nice, but the ones that only state the obvious are not as special as those that look a little deeper. I have glasses so I am often called smart, so being called smart while nice, doesn’t really resonate with me. Sure it is nice to be seen as smart, but I think my best qualities are more than intelligence.
  2. Ignore their body. I’m sure that many men and women who are attractive are glad to read this. They get tired of being called attractive, and wonder if the person who is complimenting them is capable of seeing more than that. Attractive people know they are attractive. You don’t need to tell them this. If they don’t believe they are attractive then your compliment isn’t going to change their mind. If they are differently abled or possess a unique physical feature, please don’t point it out. They have heard all the jokes from good-natured people who tried to build their self-esteem with good intentions.
  3. Notice something that speaks out to you. One of the meaningful compliments I received was from someone who said I was “resilient.” No one had ever complimented me like that before. It showed insight of her to notice that, and I appreciated that. Try to compliment something that you know is unique to their personality. Like the way, they pause before they play the piano and laugh. Say something like “I love the way that you thoughtfully think about what you share with others.”
  4. Tell them when you are both alone or not overheard by others. It will be more special when it will been perceived as just a simple heartfelt exchange, rather than for some kind of social benefit.
  5. Tell them when they don’t expect it. If you tell them when there is no reason to tell them, you increase your authenticity. Often people feel that others are obligated to “cheer them up” or some kind of garbage like that. If you just randomly tell them with no particular motive, it shows that it is sincere. When I have given compliments to people who are depressed or feeling bad about themselves they interpret that as having pity on them and negating the compliment.
  6. Feel the feeling before you tell them. If you want them to feel good, first feel good about what you are saying. You are sharing a private thought, a good feeling and you have a right to feel good in sharing it. Smile and open your heart when you say whatever you say. You may be the spark that this person needs.
  7. Don’t look for perfection to give a compliment. These are suggestions, but almost any compliment is a good compliment. I enjoy making people feel good, so I try to make things more special. However, sometimes you are not in situations where you can follow these. Even a simple word makes all the difference. For example, I was on a bus once and the driver was especially helpful to a blind passenger. I had never seen before or since a bus driver who was so thoughtful to his passenger. It’s been at least 20 years, but I remember his kindness like it was yesterday. I had to act at that moment. After the blind passenger got to his stop, I told the driver that I noticed the kindness that he treated the gentleman with. He said it was no big deal, but I said that kindness is always a big deal and that I wanted to thank him for being so generous. He thanked me and I left. If I was the older black gentleman like the blind guy was, I would have so appreciated his effort to help me.
  8. Compliments are noble. They encourage and provide hope to those people who strive each day to be the best person they can be. Often life is difficult, and there are many ways in which people struggle to do the most loving thing they can do. We may not be able to donate money or help someone in a meaningful way, but we can at least support and encourage them in whatever way we see available. Compliments are evergreen trees. They give people hope, and sometimes for years.
  9. Giving the compliment is enough. Don’t look to get anything more than that. Sometimes people don’t expect or know how to handle a compliment. It is a sad thing that often when you are kind to others, they don’t know how to react to it. Don’t argue with whatever they say. If they negate the compliment then you are not their psychologist and in a position to argue with them. Just smile and move on. Sometimes it takes time to sink in. Sometimes it never sinks in. All you can really do in life is plant seeds of kindness and love and hope they take root. It’s not up to you to water your tree.
  10. Give compliments as you can. It is not your job to compliment everyone. It is not your job to do what feels fake. Only compliment if you believe it. If you don’t believe it, don’t say it.
See also  The grass isn't greener