Giving a compliment

Did you ever stop to think how much happier the world would be if we made a little effort to give compliments? With just a few simple words of kindness we can brighten someone's day and build self-confidence.

When we compliment a person, we are expressing affection, respect, love and admiration. It almost always creates a nice response from those we are complimenting. Often times it also opens doors to further carry on a conversation with that person which allows us to get to know the individual better.

However, in this rather insecure world that we live in, there are some people who feel uncomfortable receiving compliments because they view them as perhaps unearned praise, or even question their motive, running the risk of appearing distrustful or unintentionally rude by not responding graciously.

Here are simple steps to help you give compliments easily:

.               If you are not used to giving compliments in person, send a card or note. This simple gesture will also help to build your self-esteem.

.               Compliment a job well done. Let  someone know how much you admire his work, be it at the office or home. Kind words will encourage and inspire him to do better.

.               Be always sincere and honest about your compliment.

.               Sometimes a compliment can be just calling to say hello. This lets the person know you are thinking of him and that he is worth your time.

.               Smile whenever possible. This is a contagious compliment and shows the person you are happy to see him.

.               Avoid compliments about personal things like weight or appearance.

.               The compliment has to accurately refer to what has transpired and what the person has done. In other words be specific.

.               The compliment should be realistic and not an exaggeration.

.               Give credit where credit is due. Share the compliment with the rest of the group if you could not have done something without them.

Here are simple customs worth remembering with regard to giving compliments;

.               The Japanese tend to down-play giving and accepting compliments about themselves, preferring to compliment achievements.

.               Some Chinese feel they are showing humility by rejecting compliments.

.               Americans have a direct-compliment driven culture, showering compliments on personal appearances. Sometimes their enthusiasm may appear insincere to other cultures.

Compliments no matter how small or grand, can make anyone feel good. It does not matter who the person is or what your relationship is, because no one is exempt from the feel-good reaction that comes with a good compliment.

Always remember that with practice, giving a compliment can be easy, and besides it is free. It does a great job whether it is the need to encourage someone, to break the ice or monotony in a conversation or simply to make a person happy.

Giving compliments brings you out of yourself because it requires you to be observant of those around you. And when you are observant, it becomes much easier to make compliments about them. And the more often you are able to make those compliments, the more opportunities you have of creating friendships.

Lastly, while women tend to be more generous with compliments, men take them more seriously.