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Everybody likes to hear people saying nice things about him or her. It could be, “Wow. You pitched a great game,” or “You did a great job at your bar mitzvah,” or “Mom, your new haircut looks great,” or “Grandpa, you make the best chocolate cake in the world.”
It doesn’t cost anything to pay somebody a compliment. But a genuine compliment is one of the best gifts you can give. It doesn’t get old or wear out, and it will make somebody happy—somebody who may remember it forever.
YOU DO
Tell someone when you think he or she has done something good.
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YOU DON’T
Worry that other people will think you are trying to get on somebody’s good side, or that you are trying to be the “teacher’s pet.”
Why
There is nothing wrong with any compliment, as long as you really mean it—even if it’s a compliment to your teacher or to your sister. It is always right to say something nice to another person, even if that person is someone you do not know very well.
YOU DO
Pay a compliment only when you really mean it.
YOU DON’T
Go around paying compliments to everybody, all the time, so that your compliments don’t sound special anymore.
Why
If you like, but don’t love, your grandma’s apple pie, you don’t say it was the best pie you ever tasted. Saying, “Thank you, that was good,” is just fine. When your grandma does make your favorite pie, that’s the time to tell her how much you like it. The compliment will be much more special if it is genuine—and your grandma will know the difference.
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A gentleman does not pay a compliment he doesn’t mean.
A gentleman is not afraid to compliment anyone, male or female, when that person has done something well.