Comments on: Everybody likes presents, right?

By: Leokadia

Leokadia — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:25:52 +0000

I notice my time-honored response of “thanks, I think so, too!” does not appear

By: Ann McDonough

Ann McDonough — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:35:09 +0000

Wow, Daniel. You are really cynical. Most people (maybe just women?) are raised to down play their own abilities and not to be boastful. Given that, they don’t normally know how to handle compliments.

Yes, Benjy, “Thank you” is the appropriate response, but not one that is often given. Most of the time, it’s returned with more self deprecating crap. Thanks for the reminder to take care of ourselves and accept graciously.

By: Daniel Howard

Daniel Howard — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:16:11 +0000

So often compliments are like those free tee shirts handed out at company meetings, only cheaper. Schwag becomes stroking, which is a core component of the McDonald’s management philosophy: hand out compliments like candy and you can make impressionable young employees feel extremely validated and content with their crappy jobs at no cost to the bottom line.

Some of us have a deep-rooted skepticism as to whether compliments are sincere or not. All the same, the best course is to be gracious, say thank you, and consider whether the compliment rings true or not. If so, you know you have just received a sincere gift. If not, you know to be careful not to get a swell head.

BTW, nice post, sir! Thought-provoking.

Sincerely,
-daniel

By: Larry Hosken

Larry Hosken — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:51:56 +0000

This is good advice. In addition, when accepting compliments, I have a step 3a:

3a. If they complimented you on your competence, stay alert: they’re about to ask you to do something for them.