She is the co-author of the book, “Business Success With Ease,” where she shares her knowledge about, ‘The Power of Professional Etiquette.’ Lynda Jean is an Image Consultant and the Owner of Lynda Jean Image Consulting. X This is a pretty common response that shows you are humbly accepting the compliment, and you don’t want to … If you do not wish to talk further, there is nothing more to do than gracefully accept the compliment as offered. If someone gives you a backhanded compliment, assess what they might mean from it. If you feel shy when you get a compliment, then the compliment most likely goes against your own beliefs. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234668, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201308/why-some-people-hate-receiving-compliments, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201312/mastering-the-delicate-art-responding-compliments, http://www.crucialskills.com/2014/09/dealing-with-backhanded-compliments/, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. But I’m here to say, just like anyone else, guys appreciate admiration. Girls can text guys first; there is no rule for it. This article has been viewed 288,000 times. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. 1. Listen to of words of praise, and may they lift your spirits, don't suspect each smoothie, something you want. Make eye contact: Look directly at the person giving you the compliment and make eye contact when you speak to them. Lynda holds Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Social Work, a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Image Consultant (CIC) certification. © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Saying something like, "Thanks! You can also acknowledge his kindness for saying something polite.While it may seem like a good idea, you should not reflexively compliment him, deny the compliment by saying he's just being "nice," or take his compliment as an opportunity to brag, … As a counselor specializing in men’s issues, I can’t tell you how many times a client has sat across from me in my office and said to me: I don’t know if my girlfriend likes me. or you could say something like, "Thanks, I really broke a sweat!". If you receive a sweet compliment text, you can respond with: "Thanks - you made my day." 17 November 2020. Responding to a backhanded compliment can be tricky. Yes, of course. How can she be grateful for unclean work? This type of response can also give the impression that you are sucking up to the person. Expert Interview. How to Respond to a Compliment. She studied Image Consulting at the International Image Institute and the International Academy of Fashion and Technology in Toronto, Canada. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Nothing else. Or on top if you prefer.-Just thinking about all the things we could do if we were back at my place right now. Basically, he’s being flirty in a very sweet way. Hate your job? Is there something you want to talk to me about?” This type of response can help you to address the backhanded compliment and open up a discussion about what is causing the person to say these things. When you compliment a guy on his performance, it increases his confidence in his ability to try – and pull off – new things. It is important to be sincere when saying something kind to someone. Is this backhanded? If someone compliments you and you’re not sure how to respond, try just saying, “Thank you,” or “Thanks, I appreciate that!” Smile and make eye contact with the person when you thank them so they’ll know you’re being sincere. 17 November 2020. Being specific can make the comment more meaningful. It's very awkward. This comment is based in the person’s need to say something rude about the current state of your home rather than ignoring it. Showing appreciation for a compliment tells the guy that you value his opinion and have the confidence to accept praise. However, if you brush off a compliment from a guy, it can make him feel like he has poor taste or bad judgment. Don't rack your brain trying to come up with the perfect thing to say -- any comment that moves the conversation forward will help you get to know the guy better. A good, sincere compliment can make a guy… A compliment gives us that. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If someone compliments you, accept it, stick it in your pocket, and feel good someone noticed how fantastic you are. A sincere compliment can remind us of what our best qualities are. Luckily, we’ve got a great range of ways to reply, as well as some general advice on how to deal with compliments, praise, and those weird back-handed compliments. Here’s how you should be handling the situation. Pay attention to how you feel when someone compliments you. And the recipient’s powerful, sexy indelibility is the key to the best sexual compliment you can give. For those who have been struck by impostor syndrome, the phrase “thank you” … you can smile brilliantly at the person and say “thanks” so … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I just praise him & go on. Here are some good ways to meet a guy’s compliments. I appreciate that. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Say something like: “I really appreciate a guy who’s willing to call instead of text.” But if a guy texts you first, he likes you and wants to start a new conversation with you. If it’s a weird compliment, maybe just say thanks and move on. Did he call you instead of text you after a date (SCORE!)? For example, "Your holiday decorations look great -- I'm always amazed at what you do with so little money." Fully accepting a complement seems arrogant and complete denial seems rude and/or self-deprecating. I also have a good evening with you guys. Your unique guy will respond to some of these more strongly than others. For example, if he says he is happy to spend time with you, you could say, “Thank you, you are so kind.” But a better response would be to say, “Thank you. It’s kind of like the whole thing with Pavlov and his dogs: reward good behavior and your guy will do it again and again to please you. % of people told us that this article helped them. Psychology Today: How to Receive a Compliment, Psychology Today: Why Some People Hate Receiving Compliments. in clinical psychology. Lynda Jean. Lynda has taught Image Consulting courses at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. (from your boss) Answer 2: Thank you so much. I suggest to respond with a simple "thank you" and leave it at that, unless they inquire about any tips or techniques you used to look good. She served as the managing editor of the "Journal of Attention Disorders" and has worked in a variety of research settings. How to Compliment A Guy? You could say, “Thank you! What do I reply if someone says "Good workout"? Certified Image Consultant. And because men are bred to not fish for compliments, they aren’t going to encourage them. Few people can sincerely and nicely to compliment, but to accept and to respond to them knows even less. For example, you could say something like, “Thanks! How do I not feel shy when receiving a compliment? References. Say something like, “I know you might have meant that as a compliment, but it didn’t sound like one. 1. If someone is making you uncomfortable in either case, though, it's best to be honest and tell them so. 06 “Thank you, I appreciate that.”. Complimenting a guy is a key ingredient to make friends easier. Recently I had a client tell me she was very grateful for my services, then proceeded to insult my cleanliness and location! Instead you should try to lean forward, look at the compliment-giver in the eyes and smile when you say ‘thank you’. Some people have trouble gracefully accepting compliments, often because of low self-esteem, says psychologist Guy Winch in an article for "Psychology Today." Expert Interview. However, if you are being complimented on something that involved the contributions of others, make sure that you acknowledge those people as well. An example of this would be telling someone, "Your hair looks really nice today," which implies that their hair looks bad on other days. I don’t question him. Instead of redirecting the compliment you received, pay the person a non-competing compliment in return. We had a wonderful time this evening. "Thanks so much - I really like your (insert a personality trait). They choose to deflect with a response that dilutes the compliment. Resist the urge to deflect or reflect a compliment. or "Thank you, that means a lot to me.". I think that you gave a really great presentation today as well!”. How to Respond to a Compliment Text. Here are five ways on how to respond when someone calls you cute when you are definitely not interested in the speaker. When you compliment a man on his non-physical attributes, it shows that you look deeper than the surface and truly see who he is beyond his looks. "Well thanks - if you could see me, I'm full on blushing!" If they were working out with you, you could say, "Thanks, you too!" It can be hard to know how to respond to unwanted compliments because when the complimenter's malintent is covert, it's easy for them to paint you as the bad guy. It sounds like a compliment since they are telling you how great you currently look. Most people opt for the safe middle ground. But if you do not text guys first, sometimes they will get a feeling that you are not interested. They are wrong. That makes me feel great to know that you feel that way," or “Thank you, I appreciate the compliment,” is a perfectly acceptable way to respond. It’s straightforward, but it gets the job done! Can I ask for a repeat of a compliment if I didn't hear it? Yes, accepting a compliment can be more challenging than it sounds. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. How to respond to a compliment. This article was co-authored by Lynda Jean. Don’t get involved in a compliment battle; There are times when you may feel like out-complimenting, more so when a compliment is coming from someone whom you admire and respect. I know it was a tight deadline. Guys won’t waste their time texting with someone, if … She works with clients to enhance their image, self-esteem, behavior, and communication to facilitate their social and career goals. How do I respond to compliments and develop the conversation? Saying something like, “We all worked really hard on this project, thanks for acknowledging it,” will help disperse the praise to the other people who contributed to your accomplishment. Reinforcing good behavior is a great way to compliment a guy. Sound […] A backhanded compliment is an insult disguised as a compliment. Related Articles Most definitely! Would feel so good. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-7.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-8.jpg\/aid594797-v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Compliment-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}. 1. A compliment should always be responded to with a "thank you," says LisaMarie Luccioni, adjunct professor of communication at the University of Cincinnati, in an article for "Psychology Today." Remember to smile and make eye contact with the person who complimented you as you thank them. Just reply with a "thanks" and maybe compliment them back. Last Updated: December 31, 2020 Try: “I had no idea…. How do I reply to a compliment about making someone smile? What is the best sex-related compliment to give a guy? Compliment 2: Great work on getting the project done on time! If you wish to talk further, a thank you can be followed up with a conversation opener, says Penelope Trunk in "Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success," After you offer thanks, say something like, "What did you think of the meal?" Even though men are not typically seen as people that you give compliments to, they like being appreciated just as much as women. The person bestowing the compliment will be most receptive to a humble response. For many people, compliments can be tricky. Arlin Cuncic has been writing about mental health since 2007, specializing in social anxiety disorder and depression topics. When you're trying to learn how to accept a compliment in a funny way, this is a great place to start. Marigold, D., Holmes, J., & Ross, M. (2007, February). If you wish to go a step further, you could add a comment such as "I put a lot of time into preparing what to say" or "That means a lot to me.". Your response to a compliment is not only important to not offend the compliment giver but also to build your self-esteem. Responding to compliments can be difficult, especially if you feel like accepting them will make you seem vain. See disclaimer. Here's how to get a better one, fast. For example, someone might give you a backhanded compliment by saying, “I wish I was as relaxed as you are about all this clutter!” The comment is phrased as a compliment, but it is actually an insult about your living situation. Many of us don’t know the right way to respond when we receive a compliment. A simple "Sorry, I didn't hear that" or "Pardon me" is always a great way to get the other person to repeat what they just said. How did you think that up?” Forget The Sexy Lingerie…For Now . How Do You Graciously Accept a Compliment? Say something like, “Thank you, that’s very kind of you,” or “Thank you, I appreciate the compliment.” 2. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You don’t have to be rude or aggressive with your response, you can simply say something like, “Maybe I am lucky, but I think that my success on this project was more due to hard work than luck.”. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. [1] But if you don’t know how to text a guy, all your effort will be of no use.If you want your crush to reply to your text on tinder, then check out our tinder tips that will help you start a conversation. How would I respond without seeming stuck up? For example, if you were complimented on the toast that you gave at your sister's wedding, say something like, "Thanks, that is nice of you to say" or "Thank you, I really appreciate that." When it comes to receiving a compliment, your best bet is to say "Thank you," according to "Good Housekeeping" contributor Peggy Post. They are afraid of making this kind of compliment because they don’t understand how to compliment a woman with the right energy, in a solid way, and without sounding like a weird or needy guy. Keep reading to learn how to address back-handed compliments! It is also important to know how to respond to a backhanded compliment. How to Accept a Compliment: 4 Ways To Respond Graciously. Learn the answer now! Lynda JeanCertified Image Consultant —Rachel, Taunton, MA In the moment, you really can't do much better than "You make me so wet." A detailed one, however, might warrant a sincere thank you and maybe a return compliment as well. What's the best way to graciously accept a compliment? With over 15 years of experience, Lynda specializes in color and body/style analysis, wardrobe audits, personal shopping, social and professional etiquette, and personal and business branding. You look nice as well.” Don’t mention the fact that they ended in "today," which could be interpreted as a backhanded compliment. Just say something simple, like "Thank you." Thank you. My friends tell me that I have a nice bikini body and that they're jealous. Keep reading to learn how to respond to compliments. In a relationship, it is not only a girl who loves to hear the compliment.However, a simple compliment can make her day really special and happy as well. Keep reading to learn how to address back-handed compliments! Saying something like, “Thanks, but I am not nearly as talented as you,” will give the impression that you are insecure and perhaps even trying to outdo the person who paid you the compliment. Try challenging your negative views about yourself and raising your self-esteem. What To Text A Guy On Tinder? How do I respond to compliments like "You look nice today"? By using our site, you agree to our. “You too” might be something that comes naturally, but would that really be appropriate if the girl who gives you a compliment doesn’t actually possess the same skill she’s complimenting you on? It's a sweet way to deal with the compliment that'll leave both of you feeling good about yourselves. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 288,000 times. Rejecting or deflecting compliments may indicate that you have low self-esteem because having someone compliment you might contradict negative views that you have of yourself. A compliment should always be responded to with a "thank you," says LisaMarie Luccioni, adjunct professor of communication at the University of Cincinnati, in an article for "Psychology Today." Instead of deflecting or rejecting compliments, allow yourself to feel proud of what you have accomplished and simply say "Thank you.". You can acknowledge a compliment with a smile and a simple "thank you." Many guys screw things up with a potential partner by responding poorly to a nude picture.