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Don’t be rude: Accept compliments gracefully

When you were young, your mother probably told you modesty is a virtue; to be seen to enjoy praise is to commit a social faux pas. Your mother lied. A compliment is meant to be enjoyed. When receiving praise, don’t act coy. Don’t look at the ground, play with your buttons and say “Well shucks, […]
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When you were young, your mother probably told you modesty is a virtue; to be seen to enjoy praise is to commit a social faux pas.

Your mother lied.

A compliment is meant to be enjoyed. When receiving praise, don’t act coy. Don’t look at the ground, play with your buttons and say “Well shucks, me? Get outta here.” You’ll look insecure and insincere.

Worse than that, you will make the person who complimented you feel uncomfortable. How rude. They won’t make the same mistake again, and you will find yourself starved of praise.

“Of course I did well – I’m a goddamn genius!” goes too far the other way.

Respond confidently and honestly with a simple ‘Thank you’ and a smile. Accepting a compliment gracefully is humbling, and merely saying thank you is more modest than protesting it.