WHAT IS OUR DISTORTED OBSESSION WITH COMPLIMENTS?

Synonyms associated with compliments include praises, commendations, tributes, accolades, encomia, encomiums, approvals e.t.c

Why do we act a certain way when we are thrown compliments and take defensive stances? Why do some of us make insincere compliments accompanied by a sinister motive? Why do we think if we make compliments – it automatically denotes that we are ‘less’ than the person who we compliment? Why are we afraid to compliment people especially people closest to us even when we admire what they do? What is this craze with compliments?

I remember an incidence that buttresses why we should be more open minded when we are thrown compliments.

I was headed somewhere and while walking to the place, I see a guy walking in the opposite direction and when our paths cross, he turns back and says “I like what you are wearing – Do you by chance model” and I reply in the affirmative and we exchange contact.

PICTURE — What I wore that day

It was an amusing incidence because I didn’t know what this friend of mine looked like until we met sometimes later. And so far, that relationship has been a…