If you don’t know how to respond to a compliment, you are not alone. When someone compliments you, it can feel awkward and can be challenging to give a good response. How to respond to a compliment?
The simplest way to respond to a compliment is to say “thank you.” For a longer response, you can also say “I appreciate that” or “you’ve made my day.”
Below are some of the best ways to respond to a compliment:
- “Thank you. I really appreciate what you just said.”
- “It’s nice of you to say that. Thank you, you’ve made my day.”
- “Thanks, I am glad to hear that from you.”
- “Thank you for noticing. I really put a lot of effort to do this.”
It is appropriate to give thanks to the person who complimented you. That is the right thing to do when you receive a compliment. Just accept the compliment humbly and show the other person that you appreciate their kind words without being bashful or vain about it.
Read on to learn more about how to respond to a compliment, including various examples of how to respond.
How to Respond to a Compliment?
The simplest way to respond to a compliment is to say “thank you.” For a longer response, you can also say “I appreciate that” or “you’ve made my day.”
As you traverse through life, you will receive many compliments from different people with different intentions. It is not wrong for you to feel awkward when you receive an unexpected compliment, whether it’s for your looks or for something nice that you have done.
You are never alone in this because research shows that 70% of human beings feel embarrassed when they receive a compliment. Upon receiving a compliment, we usually worry about the other person’s intentions or are anxious about whether we really deserve the compliment.
In general, people give their compliments because they appreciate what they see in you or your accomplishment. But there are indeed cases when people give compliments because they have ulterior motives.
Banish these kinds of thoughts in your mind if the compliment is coming from a friend, a relative, or your boss, or a friend at work. Of course, it is always safe to practice discernment at all times. But always remember the simple rule of thumb when receiving compliments: accept the compliment and give thanks to the other person without being proud or being shy about it.
The Proper Way of Accepting a Compliment
Downplaying a compliment only serves to undermine it and can even insult the giver. If you undervalue the compliment, it only shows that you either have low self-esteem or you really don’t know how to accept it. If you want to know the proper way of accepting a compliment, consider the following:
1. Don’t Undermine the Compliment
When you unexpectedly receive a compliment, don’t ever say: “Oh, that is nothing,” or “Oh, that’s no big deal.” You may think you are humble, but it will appear that you are rejecting the other person and could be hurting their feelings.
2. Express Your Appreciation
Upon receiving the compliment, say “Thank you” right away. That is enough if you are shy about it. But you don’t need to be shy. Bring up the courage to add: “I appreciate the compliment,” or “it’s kind of you to say that.” That’s very simple, but it will leave a good feeling for the person who complimented you.
3.Allow Your Body to Do the Talking
Even if you are uncomfortable with the compliment, don’t show it. Instead, keep your eye contact, make an effort to smile, and lean slightly forward to the person giving the compliment. Don’t appear disinterested by crossing your arms.
4. Don’t Start an Exchange of Compliments
Don’t give in to the temptation of also giving a compliment to the other person. If the compliment comes from a person you admire and respect, or if it is from your boss, you may be inclined to return his compliment with another compliment. Fight the urge to say: “You did much better than me.” Savor the moment because it is yours.
5. Observe the Right Etiquette
If everybody is toasting you, follow the right protocol based on the situation. For instance, if you are the toast object, it is not proper to drink when the speaker ends his spiel. Instead, smile and nod your head and allow everyone to get their sip of the drink. After that, offer your return toast. Another example is: it is not right to sing “Happy Birthday” with everybody if it’s your birthday.
6. Share the Credit
If you are receiving a compliment on behalf of your team, acknowledge your team members. Don’t ever take all the accolades yourself. This is the quickest way you can lose the loyalty of your team members or your friends. Instead, share your appreciation with them and say: “Thank you, but I could not have done it without the help of my team members.” You could then mention each one of them by name.
7. Receive the Award with Your Left Hand
If the compliment is given at a special occasion or a ceremony, it is proper to receive the certificate, trophy, or plaque with your left hand. Free your right hand so you can use it to shake the hands of the one giving the compliment and presenting the award. While doing so, say a simple “Thank you” to the person and those who would like to congratulate you.
Next, let’s look at how to respond to a compliment text message (or in-person compliment) from a guy.
How to Respond to a Compliment from a Guy?
It’s common for girls to be at a loss on what to say when guys surprise them with all kinds of compliments.
How to respond to a compliment from a guy? Here are some tips on how you can respond to a guy who says nice things about you.
- When a guy says you are pretty, cute, or beautiful, say a simple “Thank you.” It is not right to ignore this kind of compliment, especially if given sincerely and in a nice way, even if it comes from a stranger. By graciously accepting the compliment, you are opening up yourself to more encouraging compliments from other guys.
- If you are being complemented by a guy for a toast that you gave at your sister’s wedding party, you can say: “Thanks, I appreciate that,” or “Thanks that means a lot,” or “Thanks, it so nice of you to say that.”
- If the guy you like complimented you, say a simple “Thank you,” and then ask him something if you want to continue the conversation. You can ask him, “How is your day going?” or “What part of the meal did you like?” But don’t overthink it. Just let the conversation flow naturally.
If you want to inject a little humor in your response, you can say the following:
- Well, a little Botox really does wonders.
- My cosmetic surgeon says the same.
- That’s awesome to hear. I am getting bored of being called ‘handsome,’ so I tried hormonal therapy to be cute and pretty.
- I’m happy to know that we think alike.
But if you are just feeling normal, you can respond in the following way:
- You made my day.
- You’re sweet for saying that.
- You are really affectionate.
- It’s really kind of you to say that.
Now that you know how to respond to compliments when it came from a guy, let’s discover how you can respond to this from a girl below.
How to Respond to a Compliment from a Girl?
If girls often feel embarrassed in responding to guys’ compliments, these fellas find it even more uncomfortable.
How to respond to a compliment from a girl? Below are some simple ways to thank a girl when she compliments you:
- “Wow, I didn’t expect that from you. Thanks so much.”
- “Thank you, that was really sweet of you.”
- “Thanks, that means a lot to me.”
- “Thanks, so much for saying that.”
- If the girl says she loves the color of your eyes, say jokingly: “Thanks. Since you love my eyes, why don’t we grab a cup of coffee so you can stare at it as long as you like.”
- Here’s another funny answer: “Thanks, but I prefer to be complimented because of my intelligence.”
- If a girl says: “You look good today.” A funny response would be, “Just today? What about yesterday or the day before?”
- Ask her, “Will you marry me?” But be sure she can take this joke without being offended.
How Long Will a Guy Wait to Ask You Out?
How to Respond to a Compliment in a Funny Way?
How to respond to compliments in a funny way? You can also respond to the compliment with a nice joke, especially if you like the person.
Here are some sample responses that you can use:
- I didn’t hear that. Can you please repeat that?
- So, I have been told.
- Yes. It’s my only redeeming quality.
- Finally, here is someone who agrees with my mom and dad.
- It’s sporadic for me to hear that.
- Flattery won’t get you anywhere, girl (or guy).
- It’s though being a sex symbol (if a guy says you are lovely).
- Well, that makes two of us.
- You must be staring at a mirror.
- Yes, the genie finally granted my wish.
How to Respond Jokingly to Compliments About Your Intellect?
If people are complimenting you about your high degree of intelligence, you can respond in a funny way.
How to respond to a compliment online or in person? Here’s what you can say:
- You know what? I like you.
- I like to be, but it’s tough-going nowadays.
- Thanks, but if you knew me better, you would think twice before saying that.
- Maybe, but there are people much smarter than me; perhaps you are.
- Wow! It seems I fooled you too.
- Thanks, but really, I’m dumb as a rock.
- Not yet. But you’ll be the first one to know when that happens.
How to Respond in a Funny Way to Compliments About Your Looks?
Responding with humor will not only make the person giving the compliment happy, but it will also show that you are not really being affected by your pretty (or handsome) looks. Here are some samples:
- Thanks, I woke up this morning already looking like this.
- Much obliged.
- Your boyfriend (or girlfriend) thinks the same way too.
- Look who’s talking.
- I got this from my mom.
- Oh! You’ve got discerning eyes.
- Amazing what showering can do.
- Oh! Stop it, you.
- But you always steal the show each time.
What Does It Mean When a Person Compliments You?
Your awkward reaction to a compliment reveals that you are not aware of why the other person compliments you. If you only knew why the other person is complimenting you, you will be more able to respond appropriately.
Another person’s basic reason is complimenting you because of the positive impact you did on that person. In other words, you should look at the compliment as more about the other person than about you. Besides, look at the compliment as a surprise gift from the other person and accept it and say thanks.
Your being awkward in receiving and responding to compliments is a natural result of your habitual responses to this exclusive trait to humans. You have developed this habit throughout your life. Just like your other habits, it will take some effort and practice before you can change it.
But you can do it, and this article will help you kick off this habit. By practicing the concepts and tips in this article, you will find that it is not that difficult to say “Thank you” when someone gives you an honest compliment.
Conclusion: How to Respond to Compliments?
The simplest way to respond to a compliment is to say “thank you”. For a longer response, you can also say “I appreciate that” or “you’ve made my day”.
Here are some examples of the appropriate responses to the compliments you receive from others.
- “Thank you; I really appreciate what you just said.”
- “It’s nice of you to say that. Thank you, you’ve made my day.”
- “Thanks, I am glad to hear that from you.”
- “Thank you for noticing. I really put a lot of effort to do this.”
It would be best if you never forgot to respond to the compliment given to you by other people. If you do, you will appear snobbish and indifferent. The rule of thumb in receiving compliments is simply accepting it and humbly showing the other person that you truly appreciate their kind words.
