How I react to compliments has changed over time. Let me take you back at least ten years. I was about to be entering my twenties and was still figuring out where I fit into the world. I remember when someone would compliment me, I would get so red in the face that you could camouflage me in a tomato patch. I would end up finding a way to look the other direction or walk away after quickly saying "Thank you". When I look back on these times, I think.... why? Why was I so bashful? I wondered what or who taught me to be that way; It wasn't my mother or father. I was taught respect and how to say "thank you", "yes ma'am", "no ma'am", "excuse me", and apologize when necessary. There was one time that I was at work and some executives came in. One of them complimented me, I did the bright red thing, and it was so embarrassing because I couldn't go anywhere or hide. I just had to let the red burn bright. When they left, I begged my boss to tell me if he could see the redness on my face. I remember him politely saying, "your makeup saved yuh! I don't think anyone could tell!" Wow. How nice of him to lie to me? Haha... After that embarrassing time, I decided I would find a way to stop blushing when being given a compliment. I decided to start giving out compliments so that I could see how other people reacted. I noticed that some people did the same thing. It's like, receiving a compliment from a stranger is the most flattering thing in the world. I also started thinking about the "why" behind my reaction. I realize that it is because I have a lot of social anxiety...which is strange seeing as I am very outgoing. I am an introverted extrovert. I need time to recharge and talking to strangers makes me feel a bit anxious.
Now, in my older age, I have learned that, if I respond with a compliment to someone else, it helps. It also helps if I say, "Thank you, I got it from __________" or to tell a little bit about the thing they complimented. I don't turn bright red anymore, but I have been working on it for 29 years!!
Let us know how you react when you receive a compliment! We'd love to hear your personal experiences!
Yours Truly,
Heather Brooke
Give someone a compliment. It will, at least, make their day, but it may alter their life. You never know what someone is going through and how a smile or a passing comment will help.
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