How Often Do You Compliment Strangers?

-
Everyone loves to receive compliments. You can be going about your day, maybe grocery shopping, when suddenly someone says, "Excuse me, I love your haircut!"

That would totally make my day! So why not make someone elses day?

I started thinking about this the other day when my dad and I ran into a girl that used to work for my brother. The last time I had seen her she was nine months pregnant and about to pop. The other day (her baby is well over a year now) when we ran into her, she looked fantastic. Really good. We made small talk about our kids then went our ways.

Out in the car with my dad a few minutes later we both said how great she looked. But why didn't I tell her that? I know if she had said that to me it would have made me feel great. I felt even worse because it sounded like she was having a rough time with her kids. Someone telling her how great she looked might have lifted her spirits, if even for a little while.

I'm going to try to compliment at least one person a day. It's not that hard. It might be awkward at first, but I think seeing people's reactions will be worth it. And, who knows, maybe they'll pay it forward and make someone elses day.

Comments

Summer Ross said…
now thats a nice thing to do and think about
August 12, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha) said…
I wonder if this is a geographical thing? When I cashier I compliment all the women I can find something interesting about - hair,jewelry,manicure, cute kids,healthy food choices and they do the same for me. I even made a new friend over a necklace from Etsy and she invited me to meet at the lake with our kids and we do. Complimenting just makes my day so much better.
August 12, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Pat Tillett said…
Mama told me not to talk to strangers...

Okay, I'll do it!

Summer Ross, I really like the way you look in that hat!

that wasn't so hard afterall...
August 12, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Shelley Sly said…
This is such a good idea! You never know when that one compliment can make a person's day.
August 12, 2010 at 4:32 PM
Carolyn V. said…
I love that! I have a friend who does that all the time. I am always so impressed with her and wish I could be more like that. Sounds like a great idea! =)
August 12, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Melanie Hooyenga said…
I always tell women if I like their clothes or shoes. Always makes their day. :)
August 12, 2010 at 9:12 PM
Kristi Faith said…
Love, Love, LOVE it!! I especially try to do this a lot with people that are in the business of dealing with a lot of not-so-positively-awesome-as-we-are-people.

You rock for bringing it to the blogosphere's attention. Sometimes we forget the littlest things could make the biggest difference.
August 13, 2010 at 2:06 AM
Hope Wilbanks said…
I think it depends on your location and the person. Where we live right now, people are not generally friendly, especially when we're talking about people who work in the public, like at Walmart. When I do find a friendly cashier, I make it my mission to find her the next time, if she's working that day. I try to be friendly and offer compliments b/c it really does go a long way. And I have experienced a change in the other person's attitude, too. Sometimes I just get so busy with what I'm doing, or I'm like a zombie b/c I have so much on my mind, that I forget to even pause to take notice of others. Sad. I need to work on this. :)
August 13, 2010 at 8:36 AM
Stephanie said…
You know...I wonder this myself. There are often times I see someone, a waitress, cashier, whoever, and I think to myself that something about them is pretty or cute or whatever...but it doesn't occur to me to say it. I am going to try and voice my compliments too!!
August 13, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Name is Lisa and I Write Crap

-
Image
I used to be so afraid of writing something horrible, that I wouldn't write anything at all. I'd have a half-hour or so to myself and instead of getting as much down as I could, I'd type, delete, retype and delete again. I had to have perfect sentences formed from perfect ideas. It didn't work. It took me years to finally learn to just write anything. Even if it's crap (and it usually is first time around). But I'm finally OK with writing a crappy first draft. If it's still crap when I'm done, well, that's another problem all together. I used to think, What if I died tomorrow and my family found this notebook full of god-awful first drafts? They'd think I was a terrible writer! If I can write only awesome sentences, they'll realize what talent I had and be sorry they didn't take more interest in my amazing stories... or something like that. Anyway, now when I start writing a story (whether it's a novel or a screenplay) I just
Read more

Yet Another Embarrassing Confession (you would think I'd have run out by now)

-
The absolute worst part about being a writer for me is grammar and punctuation. With every post I put up, every email I send and every story I write, I am waiting for someone to come back to me and say, "Seriously? How can a writer not know where to put commas?" Commas are my enemy. I have no clue where they go. I try to put them where I think would be a natural pause in a sentence, but I know I'm usually wrong. I basically toss them up in the air willy-nilly and let them land where they want. Can you recommend a grammar/punctuation book that is easy to understand? (I never took a "real" English class in high school, so I'm starting fresh). The Elements of Style is too...sterile for me. I need something I can easily grasp onto. I'd greatly appreciate any, suggestions. (<< that comma was a joke. See, at least I can joke about my ignorance)
Read more

The Time I Exploded When I Was Seven

-
Image
I was seven the summer of 1977, when my dad told me Elvis Presley had died. For a young kid, I was actually pretty interested in music and felt bad about him dying. I asked how Elvis died and my dad told me he exploded because he ate too much. I believed him. What did I know, I was seven? A few days later my dad made us egg salad and olive sandwiches, my favorite. I ate my entire sandwich and asked for another one. He made it for me. I ate about half of it when suddenly I started to not feel so good. I ran to the bathroom and threw it all up. My dad came in and said I ate way too much. Couldn't he have told me that bit of information before he made me the second sandwich? I started crying hysterically and wouldn't stop. He asked why and I told him I was exploding like Elvis and about to die. He laughed. I cried and threw up some more. I didn't eat egg and olive again until I was 28 and my husband made me try it. Now I love it. But only one sandwich at a time
Read more