Sometimes just a really good compliment is enough.
I was on the bus tonight and spotted a woman sitting in front of me, in a seat facing the middle aisle of the bus, which allowed me to see her entire outfit.
She was very slim and dressed fashionably, and for a bit I thought she might be in her 20s – though when she turned it was clear she’d probably passed 70 some time back. (That wasn’t the compliment. That would have been too much.)
But she wore this big, incredible, cabled cream-colored sweater. It had a fur (real or imagined, I don’t know) collar and she cinched it with a wide faux-alligator belt. Black skinny pants. This broad looked like a million bucks. I had on a brown parka with a gigantic grease stain on the sleeve.
As I got off the bus, I stopped and said, “That is one fantastic sweater.”
She shot right back, “Ten years old. I went shopping in my closet. We all have to. Thank you so much.”
Now as I sit here writing about her, I realize she’d been waiting all day for someone to notice.
Happy to oblige.
Nothing beats a kind word.
Every week I ask the Catholic kids to compliment people. Most of the time they are lame, “I told my mother that dinner was good.” I always tell them that a compliment to a stranger is the best kind. I’m glad you appreciated the experience. You certainly made that woman’s day. Give a compliment, give a smile. Well done, Erin. Keep up the fabulous work!
Thanks, Lorraine! For those of you who don’t know, Lorraine is a pal who teaches what we used to call “Catechism classes” back when I was at Holy Family Grammar School. As you can see, things have changed!
I learned on a job a while ago that people really enjoy compliments. Now any time I see something that catches my eye, I tell the person so – I get more grins from a “Love your earrings!” or “Neat jeans!” (with a fantastic design on them) than from anything else I could possibly say. And I’ve gotten a few myself, so I know how good it feels. It’s so easy, and it makes two people’s day better…
You’re so right! There’s also the DLS (Dirty Little Secret) of compliments: passing one on from someone else gets you almost as much credit as if you said it yourself!
Yesterday I was totally frustrated by my hair…the cold, dry air has made my uber-fine hair a ball of static that’s driving me nuts. In aggravation, I threw it into a loosely wound bun secured with a clip and got it out of my way.
While shopping after work, a lady I passed in an aisle stopped me and said in an undertone, “You should know that your hair looks so sassy and cute; it’s so flattering.”
It made my evening and served to remind me that the ordinary to me isn’t to someone else; sometimes it takes fresh eyes to understand the value of what you already have, so never miss an opportunity to express admiration for another when you feel inspired.
You are so right! And on this particular situation, I’m sure this lady was double-thrilled to be complimented all over again on something she loved so ten years ago.
You really sort of can’t go wrong with a compliment.
What a simply powerful thing a kind word is! I’ve had three compliments on my new shirt today and my bucket overflows. Thanks for sharing that sweet story.
Please send info on where you bought shirt.
Gruene With Envy in Gruene, TX! Made in China for the Multiples Clothing Line.
That is really lovely. We’re all working a little harder these days to look purty and it means a lot when someone notices! I bet you looked FINE in that parka.
I looked like a bag lady compared to her.
But thanks, Liz — and it does make you think about trying a little harder, that’s for sure.