How to Accept a Compliment

When someone pays you a compliment, it can be hard to accept it. We can give elaborate reasons for rejecting the compliment, like "My lentils are curried." But that could take the wind out of James's sails and stop him from ever wanting to compliment us again. Here are some tips to make receiving a compliment easier. 1. Keep your cool and remain unassuming


Remind yourself that the person who gave you a compliment believes what they said about you
If you received a compliment, it might seem like the person who gave it didn't believe in you, but this isn't the case. People who give you compliments are usually impressed by you and want to acknowledge you for it. Taking advantage of someone's generosity by arguing with them isn't the best way to receive a compliment, and it can backfire. So if you ever get a compliment from someone you don't know, remember to give them the benefit of the doubt.

If you have a hard time accepting compliments, try counting to three mentally. You might feel uncomfortable for a few seconds, but it will help you respond positively. Once you've reached three, say "thank you" and send the compliment back to the person who gave you the compliment. If the complimenter continues to speak, you can also send a message to them that you're not interested in hearing their opinion.

Avoid shifting the spotlight to someone else
When you receive a compliment, you may feel tempted to "comment-ping" or return the praise in kind. Although this concept sounds like fun in theory, it can also backfire. Paying a compliment immediately after receiving a compliment is disingenuous and may lead you to think that the other person isn't taking your compliment seriously. Instead, acknowledge the efforts of your team and avoid shifting the spotlight to someone else.

Be unassuming in your gratitude
It's polite to be unassuming when you receive a compliment, but never undervalue it. If you receive a compliment, never use phrases like "Oh, it's no big deal" or "Thanks, but it's not much." While you may want to appear humble, doing so only makes the person giving you the compliment feel rejected and unappreciated. Rather, be humble and thankful for the compliment.

Unless you receive compliments frequently, you may be tempted to deflect the compliment or merely ignore it. Whether you receive a compliment from a close friend or an admiring stranger, it's never a bad idea to express gratitude to the person who gave it to you. If you do not receive many compliments, you might not be able to do it effectively, so the best way to respond is to show unassuming gratitude.

Avoid awkwardness
Getting a compliment can be awkward, especially if you feel uncertain of yourself. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid awkwardness when accepting compliments. While many people will react to a compliment with apprehension, it is rare to find someone who feels completely comfortable receiving one. Learning how to accept a compliment is an important social skill that anyone can develop. Listed below are some tips for dealing with compliments.

When accepting a compliment, don't be afraid to make it personal. If you're not sure how to approach a compliment, write it down and send it by email or fax. Both methods will help you avoid awkwardness. Remember to use a friendly tone of voice to respond to a compliment. You'll want to avoid using overly sarcasm and being too serious or cloying.