Question: What are random, off-the-wall, sincere compliments?
Have you noticed that a nice compliment really makes your day? It does mine.
In high school, I volunteered at a political hearing. At a rest moment a lady came up to me and said in that I looked like “la muneca,” which means ”doll” in Spanish (well, it also mean “wrist”. But, “you look like a wrist” doesn’t have the ring as “you look like a doll”). So pretty, she kept repeating. In that moment, I believed in the magic of good lighting, lipgloss, and well-behaved hair.
A couple years ago, CB and I were crossing the street when a guy in the car behind the crosswalk poked his head out and yelled to CB, “she’s beautiful, man!” It was a beautiful, sunny, California day, and I felt like a beautiful, sunny, California girl. I looked over at the driver and gave him a huge smile. For the rest of the day my step had an extra bounce to it.
So both of these instances happen years ago, but I still remember them. And they still bring a smile to my face. Sincere compliments cost nothing at all, but they cast a warm glow, like little bursts of sunshine.
What’s the nicest, random, compliment you’ve received?
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The best, best compliment I’ve ever received was back in high school(!). I was on the phone with one of my friends and I’d cracked some really corny joke. She said to me, “you know, Strange Bird? You’re really funny, do you know that?”
I don’t know; I always (*always*) crack myself up, but I just eat it up completely when *other* people think I’m funny.
I was rather overweight at the time, but always tried to find colourful funky stuff to wear. I arrived to help out at my son’s classroom, and a kid randomly piped up with “You got style, Miss!”
It really did make my day, and I have remembered it ever since.
I had something similar happen to me! Mark and I were walking down the street and an older gentleman walked over to Mark, looked him straight in the eye and said, “You are a lucky man. Your wife is absolutely beautiful.” Granted, I’m not his wife (though the comment made me happy!), but we were both walking on clouds the rest of the day.
Dirty, leering construction men? Ugh, that’s another story.
Early in my career, I got a compliment from a very senior, most put-together woman. She said she liked my dress. I started wearing more dresses.
I’m going to compliment someone at work today!
I was recently at a party with my bf and some friends, (and feeling particularly overweight that night..) when a friend of a friend started talking to me. She stopped for a second and said “you’re so pretty…you look like snow white!” I love snow white, so it felt nice!!! lol.
I’ve also been with my BF for years, so I don’t hear compliments from him very often anymore (bummer). However, when I do get one out of the blue it feels great!! Definitely gets me walking on clouds.
Not exactly random because it was from someone who was a good friend at the time. But she said that I was the most genuine person she knew, which is, oddly enough, something i really strive for.
Another time she said me and another girl were her “non-baller” friends because we didn’t like to waste money! Not so much a compliment, but funny!
I have had random strangers compliment my hair fairly freequently and it always makes my day.
One nice comment I got was from someone who asked me about what I was reading on the train (Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell). She asked for book recommendations for her 10-year-old son, and I gave her some. She asked if I worked in publishing, and when I answered no, she said I should–and now I do! She’ll probably never know how much she had to do with me finding a career I love.
Two incidents: I was shopping at Macy’s back in high school when a nice older lady came up to me to tell me that I was very pretty, and she thought I should know it.
A couple years ago, a very well put together, classy, wife of a high-powered doctor came up to me at a reception and told me that she loved my shoes, and she liked my taste. Wow!
~little miss moneybags~ yay Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell!
Posts like this make me so happy. It’s easy and free! to give compliments like these. We all should do it more!!
I was walking to the gym this past Saturday in my gym clothes, obviously. My hair was tied in a messy bun because it was so greasy. The roommate stripped the shower head from the bathroom so I’ve been struggling to get my hair to work properly.
This man runs up to me and asks me for my name. And he tells me how gorgeous I look in my gym clothes. He said I looked amazing and so comfortable in my own skin. Nicest compliment and it cost nothing!
I try to compliment people as much as I can. But only when I’m being sincere about it.
It made me smile reading this post, though.
I was crossing a major street in Portland, OR, and the cute boy crossing in the opposite direction gave me a rose when we passed each other. Didn’t say a thing, just gave me a rose. I had a nice day that day.
Just last week, I was in a funk. Started a new job. Running late. Bad mood. Rainy day. Just all around feeling blah. Had to circle the garage TWICE to find a park, then damn near broke my neck trying to catch the elevator before it closed. When I finally made it inside, I leaned down to take off my flats and put on my heels before I reached my floor. The only guy in an elevator full of women said “I like those shoes. They look good with that suit.” My mood instantly changed. I felt regal for the rest of the day.
Great post!
Random (yet sincere) compliments are so very important. I need to pay it forward more often.
That’s a great observation. I think we all need to try a little harder to make the world a little better. I’m glad you could take a compliment from the driver instead of being offended by it (I’m sure some people would see it that way).
I was in an elevator once in Korea with a bunch of men and two older ladies. I looked over at them (the ladies) and smiled. When I got off the elevator, my colleague told me that they were talking about me. They said I was sooooo beautiful. Completely made my day.