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How are you at taking a compliment?
Personally, I've been working at accepting compliments more graciously in my own life. It's not easy. Unless you're really self-assured, I think the instinctive response is to deflect another person's kind words with modesty ("Oh, this old thing?") or humor ("Well, I did wash my hair today, so I'm feeling pretty fancy."). At least that's what I always do.
Learning to take a compliment in stride, though, is important for two reasons:
It's polite.
You might learn something.
First off, taking a compliment is the gracious, polite thing to do. When you accept the nice things someone thought to say to you, you legitimize that person and their feelings. When you refuse a compliment ("Oh, don't you look nice today." "What? No, no. I look terrible."), what you're saying is, "Your opinion is wrong. You are wrong."
Of course, don't go tripping all over yourself to agree ("You're right, I look more handsome than any man in history has ever looked wearing new sneakers!"), but to accept a compliment graciously is simply good manners. You wouldn't insult someone's cooking if they made you a meal; don't insult their taste by disagreeing with their complimentary remark.
The other reason to learn how to take a compliment is you might actually learn something. Instead of swatting away any nice thing someone has to say about you, why not try listening, and gaining some insight from it? Like if your girlfriend makes that cat sound (you know the one) when you swap your hoodie for a dress shirt. Or when your co-workers corner you in the office kitchen to ask if you're interviewing for a new job since you're looking all shmancy in a blazer when you're usually in jeans and a T-shirt. Don't you want your girlfriend making cat noises? Don't you want people to think you're ready for a great new job?
So take the compliment. Say thank you. Blush a little if you have to so people still think you're humble. And then make a mental note of what they said so you can repeat it again tomorrow.
What's that? This was really helpful? Oh, thank you. I appreciate that.
