Indirect compliments are the best.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205770)
Walnut Creek, California
June 26, 2022 1:05pm CST
My guitar (and piano) student Anabella will be performing with me today at Guitar Center. She is 8-years-old. I told her she could make up the set list. I think we will do Mary Had a Little Lamb, Smoke on the Water, Roundabout by Yes, and the ABC song. But I'll just go with the flow.
Her father gave me a lovely compliment the other day. But it was indirect. The best kind, because it was sincere, not just someone being polite.
Horse: We have our guitar tunes ready for the "open mic" this weekend, but we also worked on piano. I have shown her the beginning to Bach's Minuet in G."
Dad: That is great. I'm glad she is learning some piano as well.
Horse: I will keep teaching her guitar by ear. With piano, I will eventually show her reading notes.
Dad: I admire anyone who can play music.
Horse: Some day, someone can help her learn classical guitar. which requires reading notes. But for now, we are both happy with things as they are.
Dad: Someone? You are her teacher. I don't want another teacher
.
Horse: Oh, I mean years down the road. The best musicians can play by ear and also read music...
I was honored that her dad did not want "anther teacher" involved. Anabella and I have made great progress, and she is a "trooper." She is not the least bit intimidated by performing in front of people.
I will, at some point, show her musical notes and tie them in with piano. But her progress on guitar, using chords, tab, and her ear, has been great.
Have you ever received an "indirect" compliment? I enjoy them the most.
12 people like this
13 responses
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
26 Jun 22
The dad obviously appreciated what you've been teaching his daughter! Congrats! Most people think anyone can teach the same thing, just as well as someone else, whether that's true or not.
I really hope the concert goes well. (Did you practice so you won't embarrass your student? 
)
Enjoy yourself. 
)
Enjoy yourself. 3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
26 Jun 22
@TheHorse I'm glad everything went well. And congrats to her for surprising you! (I bet that doesn't happen very often. 
)
I'm glad everything went well. And congrats to her for surprising you! (I bet that doesn't happen very often. )3 people like this
@TheHorse (205770)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Jun 22
@DaddyEvil Life is like a box of chocolates...
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205770)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Jun 22
It's Monday morning now. I mixed up some Miracle Grow solution so the kids' plants can grow big and tall. I'll put the solution on there and ask the kids to water the hck out of the plants. We harvested some green beans last week!
2 people like this
@Tina30219 (81538)
• Onaway, Michigan
26 Jun 22
I have it has been a long time though
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205770)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Jun 22
@Tina30219 For some, sad to say, it's because acknowledging another's success makes them feel lesser. There's a little Cain and Abel in all of us.
@RasmaSandra (73444)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Jun 22
That is a wonderful compliment and I agree with you,
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (156164)
• United States
27 Jun 22
How nice to get some recognition for a job well done. I haven't received any compliments in a long time.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205770)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Jun 22
@LindaOHio Why is it so hard to give compliments where compliments are due?.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
5 Jul 22
Her father likes you as a teacher of his daughter. He doesn't need someone to teach his daughter.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
6 Jul 22
@TheHorse I know you may and you can handle for kid's bright future.
@vandana7 (98830)
• India
28 Jun 22
I prefer direct. Basically, I am a cynic. If somebody paid me a compliment, I would be what...this person does not know the real me...LOL. But I am not good at deciphering indirect compliments or whatever. So I don't bother with second guessing. Like this guy when he said you are her teacher, I don't want another teacher. I'd end up analyzing that...is he trying to save monies, trying to say he cannot afford another teacher, if he wanted to pay a compliment, he might have said, I doubt if I can find anybody better than you to teach her music. Or is he trying to say...ok...you are being paid, do your job of teaching. So yeah..interpretation of the same sentence varies from person to person. I don't focus on it so much.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40884)
• Wapello, Iowa
30 Jun 22
I still have a lot of trouble getting direct comments. I don't think I'm ready to try for indirect comments.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40884)
• Wapello, Iowa
6 Jul 22
@TheHorse This reminds me of when I worked at Bletchley Park.
@1creekgirl (40523)
• United States
26 Jun 22
What a wonderful compliment that was truly sincere.
1 person likes this
