Most of us love to be noticed, but very few of us know how to accept a compliment with grace.
Many of us downplay compliments to avoid the appearance of conceit.
There are only four responses to a compliment: acceptance, deflection, rejection and humiliation!
Rather than humbly accept or outright reject the kind words, most of us often choose to deflect or dilute the compliment.
Or worse, the latter, If you’re anything like me, a compliment typically prompts one of two reactions, a little humiliation countered by a deep-seeded fear that person complimenting will soon see what a joker I am! Or maybe the opposite, the person complimenting wants something from me. Thing is, both reactions have the same underlying sentiment, that the compliment isn’t true.
When you receive a compliment from somebody you like, most reactions can be to deflect the attention. eg, when someone expresses their thanks for your help, we can be prone to redirect the compliment and say something like, “Ah, I wasn’t that helpful. sure anyone could have done it.”
Truth is, that response insults the person who paid you the compliment in the first place!
WTF!
But when you deny, deflect or self insult in your reply, others may misinterpret your actions and think of you as ungrateful or insecure.
Gratitude is simply the only acceptable way to acknowledge someone’s kind remarks.
Thankfulness won’t give off the appearance of pride or vanity. Instead, it simply shows you acknowledge a person’s recognition and appreciation.
Whenever you receive a compliment but don’t know what to say, humbly say, “Thank you.”
It is the simplest thing you can say, but it actually sends a powerful message. It is unassuming, humble and shows your gratitude.
In fact only last week at mass, I was getting communion, as I got to the top of the queue the Nun leaned over and whispered to me “…Body of Christ”, I gave her a discreet wink and said “Why thank you!”  |
Inadvertently complimented the local barmaid on her gorgeous ass last weekend and she seemed happy enough too to hear it 
