Learn about the power of compliments and how they can positively impact social interactions. Hear personal stories and experiences with compliments, including a powerful compliment that changed someone's perspective. Explore the impact of compliments on well-being and happiness, and discover surprising findings from studies on the long-term effects of daily compliments. Get tips on giving authentic and well-intentioned compliments, and hear a comedian's experience of brightening strangers' days with tailor-made compliments. Uncover the positive effects of giving and receiving compliments in relationships.
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Quick takeaways
Compliments have a significant impact on happiness and strengthen relationships, and people tend to underestimate their positive effects.
Tailored and sincere compliments, given without any ulterior motive, brighten someone's day and create a sense of warmth and connection.
Deep dives
Compliments have a profound impact on happiness
Research shows that complimenting others has a significant impact on both the giver and the recipient's happiness. Compliments are often underestimated, but they bring genuine joy and a sense of connection. People tend to hold back compliments due to performance anxiety or assuming that the recipient already knows their good qualities. However, studies demonstrate that compliments are well-received, make people happier, and can even strengthen relationships. One experiment showed that participants consistently underestimated how positively compliments would be received and overestimated the awkwardness of giving them. Overall, giving sincere compliments can greatly enhance happiness and social interactions.
Overcoming barriers to compliment giving
Several factors prevent people from giving compliments freely. One barrier is performance anxiety, fearing that compliments won't be articulated well or will come across as insincere. However, studies show that recipients care more about the warmth and genuine interest behind compliments than the precise wording. Another obstacle is the perception of bad timing, where people wait for the right moment to give compliments, often missing opportunities altogether. Additionally, individuals tend to assume that others are already aware of their positive qualities, leading them to withhold compliments. Understanding these barriers and recognizing the positive impact of compliments can help people overcome hesitation and engage in more compliment-giving.
The power of tailored and sincere compliments
Tailored and sincere compliments have a significant impact on brightening someone's day. Comedian Milo McCabe, portraying Troy Hawk of the International Greeter's Guild, exemplifies the success of compliments that are bespoke, unmotivated, and sincere. The key lies in genuinely observing something positive and remarking on it without any ulterior motive. Milo's experiences demonstrate that most interactions yield positive results, challenging his initial anxieties about compliments. Genuine compliments provide a sense of warmth and connection, making people feel seen and appreciated. By embracing tailor-made and genuine compliments, individuals can brighten their own and others' days with simple acts of kindness.
The lasting impact of compliments
Contrary to what might be assumed, the effect of compliments does not diminish over time. Research shows that compliments have lasting happiness benefits for both the giver and recipient. In experiments, compliments delivered over consecutive days increased recipients' happiness levels and continued to elevate mood even after several days. This suggests that the positive impact of compliments endures and reinforces the significance of regularly sharing kind words. The power of compliments to build relationships and provide comfort was exemplified by a touching personal story, emphasizing the value of expressing appreciation while recognizing the transient nature of life. Overall, compliments carry a profound and lasting impact that makes them vital for cultivating happiness and strong connections.
Connecting with people is a sure-fire way to be happier - and you can quickly build relationships with friends and strangers alike just by giving them a sincere compliment.
In the first show of a season about how to be more sociable - we meet Troy Hawke, who makes a living complimenting everyone he passes on the street, and scientist Xuan Zhao - an expert on compliments who ditched her boyfriend for failing to say out loud all the nice things he thought about her.
(For more on Xuan's public benefit startup Flourish Science - a company aiming to "help people discover joy, combat burnout, and cultivate deeper connections within supportive communities" - then visit www.flouriship.com.)