Can you take a Compliment????

@bird123 (10658)
United States
October 22, 2011 11:58pm CST
There is a lady I know that can not take a compliment. If you say something nice to her, she will argue with you and say NO! NO! NO! Further, she has taught her daughter to do the very same thing. I don't know whether this is a habit or maybe she feels so bad about herself that she feels unworthy of a compliment. What do you think?? Do you know anyone who simply can not take a compliment??
3 people like this
11 responses
@jennyze (7027)
• Indonesia
25 Oct 11
if you are asking: do you know anyone who simply cannot take a compliment, the answer is me. I don't take to compliments well, somehow I felt they are not sincere. In return I don't say that many compliments in my life cause I felt not sincere in giving them. I must confuse you with the explanation... Nowadays I give compliments when I want to rebuke someone...
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
26 Oct 11
Hmmm??? Don't you believe that any compliment can be sincere??? Remember, we must look for the GOODNESS FIRST rather than assume the worst in people. Sometimes people who compliment see the goodness in you. And yes, there is goodness in you, jennyze!!! Your rely:: Y Thank you BirdieBoy123. It's really not that hard if you see what is.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
27 Oct 11
Hmmm?? Envy your boss??? Why??? What do you envy??? Some people might be more physically attractive however we are all special in our own way. Look closely when you feel envy. What qualities do you have that see doesn't??? Oh yes, I know they are there. Remember, we are all equal. Your boss is no better nor no worse than you or anyone. We all have the power to choose how we value things. What is it that you are chosing to value so much that it makes you envy??? Is it really that important to the BIG PICTURE??? OK, so you thank people a lot. That's good. If we really take notice, many people do not even do that. Y Thanks jennyze.
@jennyze (7027)
• Indonesia
26 Oct 11
Maybe so. When I look at my female boss wearing something nice I would say: You look nice... (inside I envy her) that is not sincere, isn't it? But I do thank people a lot and I think I am pretty sincere in this part...
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
23 Oct 11
Hi, both of the cases are possible.. She might think of herself unworthy of it. Or else, it is her habit to show her humbleness... Personally, when I get a compliment, I become dumb. I don't know what to say. I was, as a child, criticized so much for so many things that it never grew up in me to accept a compliment with a broad smile and open heart. When someone says something good about me, I blush, positively. And just blurt out, 'Thank you!'... One's upbringing has got a lot to do with such delicate things... Thank you!
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Yes, people criticized too much can miss seeing the goodness within themselves. I often tell people to watch what they say to people because they might just believe what you say. Still, I know that everyone in this world has done something good at sometime or other. That makes us all worthy of a compliment.
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
24 Oct 11
HI... Thanks a lot.. Oh yes, the childhood has been quite a bad memory for me.. My family especially, always found faults in whatever I'd do.. They appreciated me only when I got my school grade card, my grades were always excellent.. And yet, my personality had something terribly wrong in it, which made them ashamed at times. The shame led them to criticize me in front of anyone and everyone. Result has been terrible!!! We should spread the word, 'Please do not criticize anyone...' What do you think??? Thank you once again!
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
25 Oct 11
We should all become more than the sum of what parents teach us especially when they teach the wrong things. It's good to see that you have reasoned your way out of the hurt to learn exactly what it is. I'm sure there are many who struggle their entire life just to understand. Keep an eye out for others walking in your shoes. Sometimes just a few words can change a life forever. There are many wounded people in this world. A kind word opens the door.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
29 Oct 11
Although I've learned to accept compliments, it used to embarass me all the time. I would always feel so uncomfortable. I don't think I ever said 'no, no, no', but I would always try to deflect the attention to somebody else. Even back to the person who gave the compliment. I think that even now, I still feel awkward accepting any.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
29 Oct 11
Perhaps you are more worthy than you realize. Next time you get a compliment, smile and simply say thank you. Compliment yourself every morning while looking in the mirror. It will help when you hear the same thing from others. You have heard it before.
• Mexico
25 Oct 11
Hi bird: I think this girls must be really sad for acting like this after a compliment. Maybe she doesn't believe they are honest words because she doesn't have a possitive perception of herself. That's sad because, even when people who are egocentric are really annoying the opposite side is also terrible. We need to accept ourselves with our pros and cons. ALVARO
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
25 Oct 11
Yes, since there is goodness in everyone, it's just a matter of wording the compliment right. You know me. I'm going to work on that lady. She is a very nice lady and deserves every compliment.
• China
23 Oct 11
To be honest,I am another person who can't take a compliment and I also hate to flatter others about something to their face,because I think I am not a decent person if I do so.In fact, people who like to praise somebody to his face often abuse him behind his back.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Yes, I have run into many two-faced people spreading compliments. It is important to see things as they are. I do think it is important to let people know when they are special in any way. Sometimes positive feedback will confirm to that person exactly what they knew all along. There is a group of people I do limit my compliments with. If their EGO is such that a compliment will only serve to swell their heads more, I remain reserved. If you think you are not really a decent person, change. Tell yourself something positive about yourself every morning looking in the mirror. Make yourself suggestions on how to improve. If we focus only on the negative and bad, how will we ever see the wonderful goodness that does exist. Shouldn't we value goodness first???
• China
24 Oct 11
You are right,we should value goodness first and we also need positive feedback. This way our spirits may be buoyed up by those.In ancient times here someone referred to "take others as mirror".what I want to say is that we must learn to tell compliments from praises with the best intentions.
@phillyguy (3005)
• Philippines
25 Oct 11
That lady must have a really deep insecurity issues. She's not confident about herself that's why she argue when she get a compliment but actually deep inside she feels good about it. The bad thing about this is her daughter will most probably grow up being insecure like her because her mother make her feel that she's not worthy of a compliment.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
26 Oct 11
You are right about that one. The daughter will turn out the same. Of course, maybe I can work on both of them together. If I turn only one of them, they can work on the other one. I just need to get them to see a different view.
@phillyguy (3005)
• Philippines
26 Oct 11
Yeah you need to help them change their self awareness. She's lucky to have a friend like you who is willing to help. I Hope it would work out!Good luck:)
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
23 Oct 11
It is very difficult for many people to accept a complement. You should simply say thank you and leave it at that.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Maybe I need to rethink things. Give her a compliment then quickly tell her. Say Thank you! She will know the answer then. Then again, one never knows what reply one will get. I'll give it a try and see.
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
25 Oct 11
I used to be like that it came from low self esteem, feeling unworthy due to many things in my past as soon as I realize that accepting praises has nothing to do with arrogance I feel more comfortable being myself and that's when everything in my life turns out right :) I meet the right people, get the right support, surrounded by the right friends, and hopefully now will get the right training I need for the path I choose someone told me everything and everyone is perfect as is Now I understand what he's saying
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
25 Oct 11
Yes, some people can be arrogant when accepting compliments. They often continue bragging. Most people are not like that. I think some positive feedback to people is a good thing especially when the people around you start to be very negative. To maintain a positive atmosphere helps people along in life. Perhaps religion has a hand in things when they teach so many are sinners. It becomes we and they rather than looking for the good in everyone.
@megamatt (14290)
• United States
24 Oct 11
To an extent I think that I can. Of course there are a lot of times where a compliment is going to completely catch me off guard a lot of the time. There are a lot of times where a compliment can completely come so out of the blue that it takes me completely off guard to say the very least. Many times, there are going to be people who are really going to be genuine with their compliments but it just comes out of nowhere where people cannot take it. Plus there are times where I feel that people are being patronizing to me when they are complimenting me. Plus there are times where they compliment me on things that I don't completely agree with that went right. Of course, I really am going to be my own worst critic a lot of times. So there are going to be a lot of times where I struggle to really think that I am going to have any success for anything. It does depend in the end, with many compliments being made.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
25 Oct 11
Yes, we can be our own worst critic. Let's remember to go easy on ourselves from time to time. The road to perfection is often a very bumpy one. We all deserve a compliment for effort even when things don't work out as we plan
@umabharti (3972)
• India
23 Oct 11
if compliment is worth then any one should accept it,we know what we are and what we do,so if it really is for something we have done then it is better to take the compliment from any. However many try to flirt or when they are in need to something they try to do or give such compliments so that the person does fall and the concern is done by the work he or she wants.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Yes, some people do manipulate starting with compliments. I am not one of these people. That brings the question. Should we assume all compliments are from people who want to manipulate us??? I think the assumption should be innocent until proven guilty. Sometimes compliments are honest.
• United States
23 Oct 11
I used to get extremely embarrassed when someone would compliment me. I never knew what to say in return. I also remember being the same way when it came to receiving gifts from people. I just felt put on the spot, and didn't know how to respond. Now I realize that a simple, "Thank you" and a smile will do. I just think some people get a bit shy and make it more complicated than it needs to be.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Yes, maybe some are shy. Maybe some haven't gotten that many compliments and do not know how to reply. You have it right. A smile and Thank you does it very well.