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The 7 Rules of Compliment Club

July 2, 2015 by Joy the Baker 78 Comments

Compliment Club

COM•PLI•MENT // noun // a polite expression of praise or admiration.  

COMPLIMENT CLUB, it would follow, is a group of people whom actively, enthusiastically, sincerely, and frequently offer words of praise to the people around them.  My maj Tracy and I came up with Compliment Club as a way of encouraging each other to send good vibes into the world.  It’s not an exclusive club… you should totally hop on in! 

Let’s talk about compliments.  You’ve likely gotten them when you’re wearing a flattering dress, when your hair is flipping the right way at the right time on the right day, when you’ve made an impression on someone… BOOM!  Sometimes they drop a compliment in your lap.  It feels great!  It feels like you’ve been seen and appreciated for your hard work to be a good human.  Right?  

Well… giving is more important that getting.  I think it was Socrates that said that.  Definitely Socrates.  

There are some guidelines for offering compliments.  We can’t just go throwing them around willy-nilly.  Here are the rules of Compliment Club.  Join.  Follow them.  Let’s be better together.  (I sincerely mean that… don’t look at me like I’m crazy.)  

•  First rule of Compliment Club (yes… we can talk about Compliment Club): Look for the positive in other people.  This is imperative.  You can’t offer a sincere compliment if you aren’t looking for the beauty in the people around you.  Naturally, sometimes seeing the light in people is easier than others. In gridlock traffic?  Hard…. very hard to see the good in people.  Behind the lady writing a check in the express lane at the grocery store?  Challenging…. extremely challenging to see the beauty in that situation.  

It’s ok.  Not every moment is the right time for a sincere compliment.  But!  If you’re regularly looking for the good in people, those moments of frustration will likely (hopefully) have less of a tinge.  

•  The second rule of Compliment Club:  Be genuine.  Mean what you say.

Stay away from hyperbole.  Hyperbole is saying things like “oh my gosh you’re the best person in the world.”  An exaggeration.  I mean… they’re probably great, but literally the best person in the world?  Is that accurate?  

I’m guilty of hyperbole.  I think it’s the way of the Internet these days… exaggerating to make things sound like the best, the biggest, the coolest thing EVER.  Hyperbole has no place in a genuine compliment.  It actually makes the compliment rather empty.  

Root yourself in the compliment.  Stand tall in it.  I think we use hyperbole to separate ourselves from the genuine words we really want to say.

•  The third rule of Compliment Club:  Be Specific.  Specifics go a long way.  

People want to be seen and noticed for their efforts in the world.  See them.  Comment on them specifically.  

•  The fourth rule of Compliment Club:  Be heartfelt is how things make you FEEL.  Throw some emotional language into your genuine compliment.  Make yourself vulnerable.  

Here’s one, ” When you stood in line for an hour and bought me every single treat available at Tartine, you made me feel really special. I see so much kindness in you and I really appreciate you.”  

(That was a good day.)  

•  The fifth rule of Compliment Club:  Chill on the back-handed compliments.  Don’t do it.  Rude.  

•  The sixth rule of Compliment Club:  Just go for it!  There’s no time to waste and sometimes the window to offer someone some kindness is short.  

I saw the most lovely old lady walking her dog this afternoon.  I admired her but hesitated.  No compliment.  I lost my chance.  

I suppose the lesson is:  don’t worry about embarrassing yourself.  Life is short.  Say it and mean it! 

•  The seventh rule of Compliment Club:  Don’t expect anything in return.  Everyone absorbs a compliment differently.   Some people feel embarrassed.  Others might want to refute you.  Some with thank you.  Some might back away slowly.  Have no expectations.  Just put your kind words out in the world, let them linger in the air, soak in… and your job is done!  Besides, expecting a compliment in return would make you a jerk and jerks don’t deserve compliments anyway.  

Ultimately, Compliment Club is not about being flashy, outgoing, or overly extroverted… it’s about genuinely liking people, seeing their good, and reflecting their light back to them.  Totally easy.  Go on, have at it! 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashton Skelton

    July 5, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    I think I’ve been a member of compliment club my whole life and never knew it. :)

    Reply
  2. Anne

    July 5, 2015 at 5:16 am

    This is an important subject. I often think about it. It is a good synthèse. Ans it’s not because people sometimes seem to have a very hard time giving the compliments (they just keep them often) that we have to do the same. Yes, be the generous one no matter what.

    Reply
  3. Jessica

    July 4, 2015 at 7:20 am

    This made me happy. :)

    Reply
  4. Lisa

    July 4, 2015 at 7:14 am

    Thank you for this post! I’m joining the club. :)
    I’ve been following your blog for years and have always enjoyed your recipes, writing, and witty observations.

    Reply
  5. Emily

    July 3, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    Great rules! I’ve never read anything like this before, so thanks for sharing :)

    xoxo Emily
    https://www.ditchtheheels.com

    Reply
  6. Lori

    July 3, 2015 at 9:34 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  7. Tracy

    July 3, 2015 at 7:06 am

    Love it Joy! You are so inspiring :-)

    Reply
  8. Femke Noyen

    July 3, 2015 at 3:37 am

    thank you for the inspiring tips!
    In our small country belgium compliments are very rare, and those rare compliments are often exagerated.

    Since a couple of years my trick is to say out loud what I was thinking. We often think ‘ she has a nice dress’ but it is rarely said out loud.
    this way compliments are not forced or fake… it feels comfortable do give real compliments; and people can indeed be shy or give no response… but the twinkling eyes say enough!

    Reply
  9. The Craftables

    July 3, 2015 at 2:48 am

    I love the idea of giving compliments, if we see or hear something and genuinely love it (like this post!). Random or not, it takes stepping out of a comfort zone. But, it’s definitely worth it! Who knows, a random compliment might make someone’s day!

    Thank you for sharing such a positive and honest message :)

    Reply
  10. Trang Do

    July 2, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    Love the 7th rule – Don’t expect anything in return! Love this post!
    Xoxo,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

    Reply
  11. Ashley

    July 2, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    Thank you! Thank you for helping to spread joy, love, & light! Xoxoxo!!!

    Reply
  12. Rachel @ A Sweet Muddle

    July 2, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    What a fantastic idea! I’m in!

    Reply
  13. Lara @ MommyKazam

    July 2, 2015 at 7:22 pm

    Love this idea! Love this post! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

    Reply
  14. lorilu

    July 2, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    Great post. You can find something good in almost every body…..(almost)
    It’s amazing how many people don’t get to experience the warmth and good feelings you get when you help to make someone’s day just a little bit better. Thank You for reminding us !

    Reply
  15. Nina Khosla

    July 2, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    Good one Joy!!!

    Reply
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