How to respond to a compliment without being embarrassing

Accepting praise is not always easy, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve it.


Do compliments make you cringe? If so, you are not alone. When Christopher Littlefield , international speaker and TEDX and employee assessment, conducted a study involving more than 400 participants, almost 70% said they had felt embarrassed or uncomfortable when recognizing or receiving a compliment. For what? Well, it's complicated. People who find it difficult to receive praise often experience problems of anxiety and self -esteem. Others simply do not have the necessary conversation tools to respond appropriately. If one or the other scenario seems familiar to you, be sure to continue reading below. We have described some tips on how to respond to a compliment with a few examples of that exactly.

In relation: How to complete a guy: tips, tips and things to say .

How to respond to a compliment gracefully

woman receiving a compliment from her boss
Fizkes / Shutterstock

Do not reject the gesture.

Accepting compliments may not come naturally, but you shouldn't reject anyone. We do not often think of what it is to be the compliment donor, but think about their point of view. Remember that a real compliment generally comes from a place of appreciation or even admiration. Consider what you are complimented on and how this action or quality may have had a positive impact on the person in front of you. And imagine how to rule out the compliment would minimize their experience.

Stay humble.

Some people are uncomfortable to receive compliments while others are too relaxed on this subject. If you fall into this last category, it's time to be more thought of on your answers. Compliments often require an appreciation show. And studies show that a humility can go very far; Being humble can increase your physical endurance, your will and more.

Pay attention to your body language.

This is not only what comes out of your mouth after a compliment you need to think about - it's also how you move. Body language is a large part of the way we accept praise. There are little things you can do to show that you are engaged, like leaning inward, maintaining visual contact and resistance to the desire to Cross your arms .

While you are there, pay attention to your tone. Your voice tone must be sincere and reflect happiness. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting off little.

Share the credit.

This is particularly important in working environments. If you receive "a job well done" from a client or a supervisor, be sure to respond graciously and make any other person who has been able to contribute to your success. It is always pleasant to receive such a compliment, but it is even better to share praise with all those who deserve it just as much.

In relation: 129 compliments for girls she will never forget .

Advice to make compliments

man receiving a compliment from work
Shutterstock / Fluky Fluky

Be specific.

If you want to complete someone, be precise. Vague statements may seem fallacious, which makes an annoying exchange. A sincere compliment is direct, suggesting to the other person you pay to them and what they do.

Use their name.

The use of the name of a person makes any conversation more significant, but especially in the context of confusion. It is also a great way to attract attention and communicate respect. You can even use a nickname if you want to keep the conversation relaxed. Just make sure you don't do too much - using someone's name Also Often, in conversation, can manifest itself as manipulator or condescending.

Respect the limits.

An individual compliment should never make the recipient uncomfortable. Consider which remarks could be appropriate or welcome, especially if it relates to the physical appearance of the other person. Read the part and make sure that your "kind words" are not in place of offense.

Know when to go back.

It feels good for someone to express their gratitude after having made him a compliment, but to temper your expectations. As we have noted, some people find it much more difficult to respond to compliments than others. If you feel discomfort at all, let go and change the subject.

In relation: 11 compliments you should never say .

What are we usually compliments?

woman complimenting her friend on a new haircut
Gorgev / Shutterstock

Regarding compliments, science can only bring us so far, although this has helped discover interesting truths about these exchanges. In the 90s, researchers concluded that Women tended to absorb compliments More positively, while men were more likely to consider them as intrusive and even selfish. These interpretations also seemed to influence the way in which each group used compliments in the context of occasional conversation.

A 2011 study published in the Journal of Pragmatics , noted that women were much more likely to give compliments In "unstructured" or relaxed parameters, especially with regard to physical appearance. Men delivering compliments in this same context tended to focus on things that have strengthened the "values of heterosexual masculinity", such as sports and performance.

Men and women have proven to make many compliments in more professional contexts, although men have made and received these statements more often than their female counterparts. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

So, now that we have identified When expect compliments and What They could train, it's time to talk about how we can respond positively and gracefully. Continue to read for some examples of what to say in different contexts.

How to respond to a compliment from your boss

woman holding up a sticky note saying
Andrey_popov / Shutterstock
  1. Thank you for recognizing my hard work!
  2. I worked very hard on this project, so thank you for recognizing it!
  3. Beautiful hearing from you. Thank you for your kind words; They always encourage me to do my best!
  4. THANKS. Your notes have been really useful!
  5. THANKS. It really makes my day to hear that!
  6. THANKS. I'm so happy to hear you feel that!
  7. I really put a lot of effort in this area, so thank you for noticing it!
  8. THANKS. The whole team has really helped do this!
  9. Thank you very much for the recognition. I could not have removed it without the rest of the team!
  10. I am so happy that you appreciate it. Your kind words are always really motivating!
  11. Thank you for the encouragement and the support. It really means a lot!
  12. Thank you for trusting me with additional responsibilities!
  13. Thank you for noticing the additional effort. I put it a lot!
  14. Thank you for the recognition. We all worked very hard!
  15. Thank you for taking the time to let me know!

How to respond to foreign compliments

woman figuring out how to respond to a compliment from a female stranger on the train
Bearfotos / Shutterstock
  1. Thank you, it's so much of you!
  2. Thank you, I really needed to hear that!
  3. Oh thank you, it's really nice!
  4. It's nice of you!
  5. Thank you so much. I have felt a little weird on this subject lately, so it's great to hear!
  6. Who really brightened my day!
  7. Woah, thank you very much!
  8. THANKS. I appreciate how much you are in advance!
  9. Thank you for noticing, it's so great to hear!
  10. You just made my day! THANKS.
  11. Thank you, it's really nice of you to say!
  12. Thank you for saying that!
  13. This is so cute. THANKS!

Answers that complete the other person

man and woman making small talk on subway platform
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock
  1. It's amazing to hear. I also admire this quality in you!
  2. I think you are wonderful too!
  3. THANKS. I actually think that it was even better!
  4. Appreciates it. You seem incredible too!
  5. Thank you very much, it means a lot that comes from you!
  6. Back to you!
  7. Thank you, I was just going to tell you the same thing!
  8. Well, we are both clearly in the complimented mood because I think you seem incredible too!
  9. THANKS. I appreciate this. I think you have also done a very good job today!
  10. THANKS. I learned the best!
  11. THANKS. We complement ourselves very well!
  12. THANKS. I couldn't have done it without you!

In relation: 81 small compliments, you don't say it's going very far .

How to respond to an attractive compliment online

woman smiling while on her phone
Nshutterth / Shutterstock
  1. THANKS! It's good that you don't see me because I blush!
  2. Very appreciated. Now, what would you say to move this conversation to IRL?
  3. Tell me something I don't know.
  4. Yeah, I understand a lot.
  5. AWW, you are the sweetest!
  6. WOW, continue to come.
  7. THANKS. What else do you like about me?
  8. THANKS. There is actually a crazy story on this subject ...
  9. THANKS. You are not so bad yourself.
  10. I didn't catch that, can I repeat it?
  11. You always say good things!
  12. I will capture this and supervise it.
  13. You can't keep your thoughts for you, right?
  14. It is not easy to reach this level of perfection!
  15. Why thanks! Now everyone wonders why I smile like crazy about my phone.

How to respond to attractive compliments in person

man flirting with woman on street
Bearfotos / Shutterstock
  1. Thank you, it was on sale, so I have additional money to buy you a drink!
  2. THANKS! I worn it right for you!
  3. Stop thinking about me so much!
  4. I agree!
  5. You are welcome!
  6. It's in the genes!
  7. Is not it?
  8. I will not discuss with that!
  9. Say it a little stronger for people on the back?
  10. It's so nice to meet someone with such a similar taste!
  11. I tend to have this effect on people!
  12. THANKS. I trained myself!
  13. Thank you, now I have a smile that you made me!
  14. Thank you for the narrow observation. Flatterie will take you everywhere!
  15. Thank you, but if you want me to give you my phone number, you will have to do better.

Funny responses to compliments

man and woman bumping into each other on the street
Antonio Guillem / Shutterstock
  1. You must be wise beyond your words!
  2. Is that all you have?
  3. Say again?
  4. You're talking to me?
  5. I agree.
  6. …Really?
  7. It's really difficult to be so good.
  8. You remind me of my mother.
  9. As my grandmother would say, "do better".
  10. Thank you, I have this effect on people!
  11. It looks like we have something in common.
  12. Thanks dude.
  13. I knew I loved you!
  14. A person also observer.
  15. Oh I love you!
  16. And to think, I haven't made a lot of effort today!

In relation: 134 Cute things to say to your boyfriend every day .

How to respond to undesirable compliments

two women in the middle of a disagreement
Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock
  1. THANKS! My girlfriend / boyfriend thinks it too.
  2. I know you probably wanted to say it as a compliment, but it does not stand out for this way.
  3. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?
  4. I appreciate it, but I think we should change the subject.
  5. Ok, I'm going to go away now.
  6. Thank you, but it's a bit weird.
  7. Let's redirect.
  8. I'm not really comfortable with where it's going.
  9. I'm sure you didn't intend to bother me, but that's what I feel after hearing that of you.
  10. I don't know if it is the compliment you think it is.

Wrap

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