Compliments

Compliments are complicated. First there is the whole "oh shit, I just got complimented! Quick think of a compliment comeback.... "I like your shirt!"... ugh that shirt is ugly, maybe I should have gone for the shoes or hair" or the "thanks!" followed by awkward pause. Then there is the not knowing whether or not to compliment - you see someone on the street or in the elevator and feel compelled to compliment but are hesitant because talking to strangers is weird and often uncomfortable. It's all just so bizarre that telling someone that you like their style or face or whatever is so difficult!
I bring this up because I had two great compliments in the past two days and it reminded me how rarely a complimentary interaction succeeds. First, a woman complimented my smile and I just smiled really big and said thank you. It was the most genuine compliment I have ever received. The woman obviously just felt compelled to say it and meant it. I have been smiling for two days because of her. Second, I was going to bathroom and almost knocked a law student over, the student complimented my shoes while she was picking up all the crap I had knocked out of her hands, on to the floor and then almost stepped on. We both laughed and I said thank you. Again, the way she said it was so sincere and in the situation so comical that the compliment was perfect.
These two experiences have led me to the decision to compliment when I really feel it, whether to a coworker or stranger, and to only return a compliment with a thank you because anything else just feels contrived. Also to compliment things other than clothing or hair styles. Being complimented on my smile made me feel ten billion times better than the shoes. So, in conclusion, let's all be genuine in our compliments and never hold back on sharing the love!