1 – World Compliment day

[vilakins]

Do you think there is still a place in the modern world for unsolicited compliments?
Yes, of course! I have American friends who say they get compliments several times a day, but I'd say several times a year is the norm here, so I think it's a cultural thing; we're a pretty reserved lot. Because I think they make people happy, I do make an effort to compliment people, often strangers and usually women (hey, they need it more!), and judging by their surprise and pleasure, it's still rare here.

What is it like where you live?

Comments

[kerravonsen]

Similar, I expect. But yes, I also make an effort to compliment people, including strangers. Heck, I think I've made people's day sometimes, and that is a lovely lovely feeling.

[vilakins]

It really is!

[gwendraith]

Compliments are given here, most often by women to other women but I have complimented a man if he looks paticularly dapper or has a nice or unusual tie or something like that and I'm sure other women have as well. There can be a problem with some women who seem to take offence at a man complimenting them, an "how dare you" attitude and a presumption they are being hit on or harrassed but that's not always the case at all, not all men are womanizers or letchers. I just think some women need to get over themselves to be honest. If it is unwanted attention from a certain man in the office, just tell them thanks but not to do again and report them to HR if it doesn't stop. I guess it's a personal thing, some people are uncomfortable with the attention and others not. When I was a young women wolf whistling was a thing and some women felt it was harrassment or were embarrassed but me, I didn't mind at all. Compliments do make me feel good when they do occur.

[vilakins]

Two of the rare compliments I've had recently have been from a guy. I was delighted, but I'm not sure about complimenting men on their appearance. Maybe other things, like the robots two of them make from scrap parts. :)

[gwendraith]

I understand the complimenting a job well done or making robots from scrap :) My son Rob had his hair cut the other day and it looked great so I told him so, that just comes naturally with me. When my son-in-law Daniel wrote me the widget for my live spotify playlist to embed on my posts I was so thrilled I told him how talented he was. I spent almost my entire working life working in a male wnvironment and I suppose I learnt to spot the misoginysts, womanizers and letchers but also the good blokes who just appreciated the effort women made either in the job or in looking nice and would say something without being patronising. I appreciated that and I reciprocated in the same way.

Off topic, I have just watched ep.1 of season 3 of the Mandolorian (I think it was you who liked it). I thought it was really a good episode.

[vilakins]

As a programmer and techo I've always worked with almost all men too. I'll compliment anyone on general awesomeness, but usually only women on appearance-related stuff. That would feel weird with men I don't know well.

Greg's been away for almost three weeks and got back late last night, so Mando is on our list for tonight, right at the top. I was strong and held off for him. :)

[jhall1]

I was going to make a similar point. As a man, I don't think I'd dare to tell a woman that she looked pretty, unless I knew her well enough to be confident that she wouldn't take offence.

[zoefruitcake]

We are far more reserved than the US. I get mild comments at work (they aren't supposed to make any comments but they blurt things out when you've had your hair done etc) and maybe things from people at the gym but that is it

[vilakins]

That sounds like more than I get! Mine are mostly hair-related, but I'd say fewer than one a month. The guy who does our landscaping just loves the colour of my hair now it's a lot lighter.

[imhilien]

At my informal art group, we'll give each other compliments about whatever art we're currently working on. That's the only time I see it happen.

[vilakins]

I used to go to a craft group and we did that. I miss that.