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How to network effectively
How to read body language
How to find common ground with others
The receiver may argue with the person giving the compliment to show that the compliment was misplaced.
Compliment: “Your project really turned out well.”
Response: “Nah. The attendance was lower than I projected, we didn’t make as much money as we could have, and the elephant was too fat.”
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MORE IDEAS ON THIS
Most of us find it difficult to judge our own social behavior. Because we cannot see ourselves as we really are, we can use feedback from others to adjust our behavior.
However, many people find it hard to accept compliments. This is especially true of people who are not very assertive.
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The receiver quickly returns the compliment.
Compliment: “You were funny tonight.”
Response: “You, on the other hand, are hilarious every night.”
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12 reads
The receiver accepts a smaller version of the compliment than was intended.
Compliment: “You look terrific.”
Response: “It’s these socks my sister gave me.”
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Some people think that avoiding compliments makes them look good.
In reality, declining a compliment is an insult to the person offering it.
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Compliments get tossed in the wastebasket in a number of ways. Here are a few :
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The person may ignore the compliment altogether, pretending that it was not heard.
Compliment: “That hat looks good on you.”
Response: “Where do you want to eat lunch?”
Or, the remark may not be recognized as a compliment.
Compliment: “I’d like you t...
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The person may void the compliment by contradicting it.
Compliment: “You look great today.”
Response: “No, I don’t. I look awful.”
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The receiver may joke with the other person, failing to fully receive the compliment in the way it was meant.
Compliment: “Listen, I really appreciate the help that you gave me when my mother was so sick.”
Response: “Oh right, like I had anything better to do!”
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The receiver questions the judgment of the giver.
Compliment: “You sang beautifully.”
Response: “Why would you think that? You must be deaf.”
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A compliment is a gift to be accepted. It is not a bomb needing to be defused, nor a volleyball needing to be returned.
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The receiver may try to balance the positive feedback with self-imposed insults.
Compliment: “You made great time on that last hill.”
Response: “I guess it wasn’t too bad for a fat old guy.”
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The alternative is simply to accept the complimentThank the person offering the compliment, and do so without narrowing it down, without apologizing, and without returning it immediately.
It is not arrogant to accept a compliment. It is polite.
A simple “thank you” will do.
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CURATED FROM
IDEAS CURATED BY
Receiving positive feedback is a underrated social skills. Sometimes, accepting a compliment can be seen as being arrogant while it is not. Refusing compliment on the other hand is rude. Here are some ideas to overcome this fear.
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