Do You Believe Your Compliments?

You are such a good worker!

What is your usual response when you receive a compliment? Is it the same response you have when you receive criticism? I know people often have trouble receiving, or should I say, accepting criticism. I did a posting on criticism last March and discussed whether or not criticism is good. At the end of the posting I made this statement, “So, is criticism good? Yes, provided it is given and received in a positive manner.” In a sense, I think that we could replace criticism with “a compliment” and also have a meaningful statement.

So, how well do you receive compliments? Do you receive them in a gracious and thankful manner? If you want to empower yourself and raise your self-esteem, then how you receive a compliment is important. I have given compliments to many people who have responded with a statement that was, more or less, a put-down to them. They often make me feel like it was foolish for me to compliment them. They make me feel like the compliment wasn’t deserved and that it was foolish of me to make such a positive statement. Really, in my opinion, they put themselves down. Why?

You’re really looking good!

So, specifically, what am I writing about? Well, suppose I compliment someone on how nice their hair looks and s/he says, “It’s so humid today that my hair looks frightful.” How about when I say someone did a great job on “whatever,” and s/he says, ” Oh, I was just lucky, it was nothing.” Or, if I say, “Your house looks nice,” and they respond with, “I really haven’t had time to do anything to it.” What do these statements tell me? I think they reflect someone who is confused with the concept of humility and denigration. Denigration of oneself, that is!

We should be able to accept a compliment in a way that doesn’t make the person who is giving it feel insulted or foolish. Of course, there are times when someone gives a compliment and doesn’t know all of the extenuating circumstances. I think, generally speaking, these undeserved compliments are not worth making a “fuss over.” You see, when we reject someone’s compliment, we are really rejecting them. At least, we are rejecting their support. We are rejecting her/his expression of kindness. We are rejecting her/his opinion. In a way, we are rejecting her/him. Ouch!

When we accept the compliment, we show respect and love for ourself. When we accept the compliment, we show belief in the person who gave it. When we accept the compliment, we enhance the self-image of the giver and ourself. So how should we accept a compliment? There is no set way, but if you’re unsure, then a “Thank-you, smile and sincere look,” would never be the incorrect way.