People Love Compliments

People Never Grow Tired of Hearing Compliments

As an English teacher, I often remind my students that language is not only about grammar and vocabulary. It is also about how words make people feel. Few things demonstrate this better than a sincere compliment.

I recently read a story in The Washington Post about a nine-year-old boy named Ethan Wargo from Sycamore, Illinois. Ethan set up a small “compliments stand” in his front yard. Instead of selling lemonade, he offered kind and genuine compliments to anyone who stopped by.

Ethan explained his idea simply: he wanted to give people something positive that would make them smile. Interestingly, although his compliments were free, many visitors left tips—and several came back more than once. This tells us something important: people value kind words more than we often realize.

The power of compliments is not a new idea. Mark Twain once said, “I could live for two months on one good compliment.” Abraham Lincoln expressed a similar thought when he said, “A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.” Both quotes remind us that kindness is far more effective than criticism.

There are even special days dedicated to this idea. National Compliment Day, celebrated on January 24, and World Compliment Day, on March 1, encourage people to say something positive to others.

Research supports what common sense already tells us. Compliments improve the mood and confidence of the person receiving them. At the same time, the person giving the compliment also benefits, often feeling happier and more satisfied.

Compliments are especially powerful in professional environments. When people feel noticed and appreciated, they are more motivated and productive. Positive feedback builds trust, improves communication, and creates a healthier workplace culture.

Alan Mulally, former CEO of Ford Motor Company, summarized this well when he said that leadership is about appreciating people, respecting them, and thanking them along the way.

Compliments also help reduce social anxiety. Many people hesitate to speak to strangers because they fear negative reactions. A sincere compliment can break that barrier, strengthen relationships, and increase self-confidence on both sides.

When giving compliments, specificity matters. Instead of saying “good job,” explain what was done well. This shows attention, respect, and genuine interest.

And when you receive a compliment, accept it politely. A simple “thank you” is enough. Even if it feels uncomfortable, remember that the compliment was offered in good faith.

As language learners and users, we should remember this: words have power. Used correctly, they can motivate, connect, and uplift others.

Take care!

Prof. Carl Boniface

Moral: Compliments may be simple, but their impact is anything but small.

Smart Vocabulary:

A “gallon of gall” means a large amount of bitterness, anger, criticism, or harshness.

• Gall = bitterness, resentment, rudeness, or hostility

• Gallon = a large quantity