How to Take a Compliment

So I realize I’ve had this issue for a while now. When I was younger, I was a bit of a pessimist and always took compliments to either be teasing or blatant lies, so I tended to respond rudely or through objection or denial. I’ve since realized that most of the time, people are genuinely being kind and friendly and trying to say something nice to you, but I’m still horrible at accepting compliments. I don’t give attitude or push them away— nothing like that; but I do get incredibly embarrassed and don’t really know what to say, other than to compliment them back without really acknowledging the compliment they’ve given me. I only recently started thinking about this because earlier today, a bunch of my friends decided to point it out and it got me thinking: what are some elegant, gracious but modest ways to accept a compliment without appearing rude or insincere?

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Birdie

4 Answers

A smile and a sincere "thank you" is always a good response to a compliment. If you're uncomfortable with the spotlight shining on you, there is nothing wrong with returning a compliment. Indeed, many people appreciate it. Since you've begun to realize that they are often sincere, you seem to already be on the right track!

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OneDayAtATime

The best way to handle a compliment, is most definitely to simply thank them for it! If someone compliments your smile, thank them. If they compliment your personality? Thank them! You can compliment them back after that if you feel like it, that's perfectly normal. In fact, I myself feel more comfortable paying someone a compliment after I've thanked them for one they've given me! It's hard after being teased, and not getting many sincere compliments. But with time, you'll get used to it, don't worry! It gets easier. There's nothing wrong with getting shy and embarrassed when someone compliments you, either. One step at a time!

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Globox

i agree with the answers Globox and OneDayAtATime gave....i was going to state my own answer but realised they have it covered !

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Robin

1,659

I think your problem is also the awkward pause that follows the compliment and you thanking them for it, you should just actively change topic, ask them something unrelated, or related, whatever you want, to move the discussion away from this uncomfortable moment, eventually it will stop being uncomfortable. Good job at making it past getting angry at the people complimenting you. :)

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rinseandrep

7,397