Are you one of those people who blush when someone compliments you and are unsure how to respond to a compliment? Do you find yourself in an awkward situation when complimented, totally at a loss for words? Compliments bring joy and encouragement. But being complimented in public may feel like you are the center of attention and now you have to handle the pressure of responding to the compliment.
At such moments many people become painfully self-conscious and that creates anxiety. Thank you. You seem too formal or short and any other response seems too self-absorbed. Don’t worry you are not alone. There are many people who feel embarrassed when complimented and make a fool of themselves by downplaying the compliment and end up discrediting themselves. There are also people who unintentionally come across as rude and self-absorbed.
The person giving you a compliment to you is only trying to show his appreciation for you. It is not very polite to offend them with silence, or respond with broken incoherent sentences, or even worse a narcissistic “yes I am awesome”.
Remember, downplaying the compliment is not a graceful way of receiving a compliment. It discredits your strengths and insults the judgment of the person posing the compliment.
How to Respond to a Compliment
Non-verbal Response to compliments
Actions speak louder than words thus you must be aware of your body language.
- Don’t get nervous if you catch yourself blushing. It is ok to blush.
- Do not shy away from the giver of compliments.
- Make eye contact with them and if possible slightly lean towards them.
- First, you must smile and nod to acknowledge the compliment.
- Do not frown, look down upon, squint your eyes, or fold your arms.
- If a toast has been raised to you, do receive the toast with a nod and smile, but do not drink with others as that is considered rude and uncultured.
Verbal Response to compliments
It is very important to thank the giver for the compliment and then you can proceed to acknowledge the compliment, mention people who are also part of your success or you can respond by complimenting the giver. However, you must avoid getting into a compliment of combat. Following are some graceful and
- Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot to me.
- Thank you, it is really kind of you.
- Thanks, I appreciate we share the same taste in fashion.
- Thank you for your generosity, I am equally impressed by your outfit/achievements.
- I really appreciate your kindness, thank you so much.
- Thanks, it was a gift from a friend/my mom.
- Thank you. I am glad you have noticed the hard work of my team, and I will extend your praise to my team members.
- Thank you for your appreciation, I have heard you too are a great artist. I will be delighted to see your work.
- Words of appreciation coming from someone as successful as you are no doubt very encouraging. Thank you, kind sir.
- Thank you so much, you too have a remarkable taste in fashion.
- I am flattered by your words. This success would not have been possible without the unending support of my lovely husband/wife.
- Your encouraging words mean the world to me. I have always only wanted to be the best at whatever I do, but I guess getting to the top is easier than staying on the top.
With these responses available to you, you will never be caught off-guard by a compliment. If you believe these responses are helpful, you should bookmark this post and share it with your friends to offer them relief from awkward moments followed by compliments.
