My New Year's Resolution was: Every day I'm out walking the street is to give at least one compliment to a stranger.
Whether it be the man walking with his beloved with a Larry David tier smile, or the person rocking a cowboy hat well in my local frozen sunless hell, I let them know how wonderful they are.
I try to be the guy giving the compliments. Like, "Hey I like the jacket," or, "Hey I like the hat," stuff like that. I'll say it strangers and they always seem surprised and put on a seemingly genuine smile.
Us guys need to look out for each other, ya know? Some guys will never hear a compliment, and just hearing one can make someone's day.
Hey, nice attitude! I can relate to that, and it's why I made this comic doodle. There's nothing like creating a good ripple in someone's life (and I don't think it's insincere to share what naturally crossed my mind anyway).
Pro tip: if someone compliments your shirt, offer it to them. Bonus points if you start taking it off before they can say no.
To take it a step further: if you compliment someone's shirt, pause just long enough for them to form a response, then ask, "Can I have it?" The key is to deliver it with a flat tone and a straight face, as though it's a totally normal question to ask.
I was wearing a nice suit while walking to my car on the way to a job interview, and this rolled his windows down and pulled over to say I looked amazing.
It was actually a few years back and kinda screwed me over for a while. I quit my old job, then Covid lockdown happened the week before the new job started and the offer was withdrawn.
And since I quit the old job and never started the new one I didn't qualify for unemployment.
But it all worked out. I have an awesome career now that I wouldn't have had otherwise. I make decent money and love what I do.
...to be honest I wasn't even aware that it was British (I'm L3 but I use RP as reference). I picked it because it sounded a bit less blunt than "fuck off", but not much.
In other words although I'm not a native English speaker (L3 = third language) I tend to use the language as some British people do. As such I might end using terms that are mostly restricted to the UK without noticing that they may not be understood by others.
That's the case with "sod". It's something like "damn" or "fuck". Sometimes also used as a noun to convey contempt towards someone, as in "that sod" = "that fucker", "that poor thing". And "sod off" = "fuck off", but it feels a bit milder.
[RP = received pronunciation. I used it slightly off-context here but it's just a reference anyway.]
The origin of "sod" as a slang term comes from British English, where it has been used since the 19th century. It is derived from "sodomy," which refers to non-procreative sexual acts, and has historically been used in legal contexts with negative connotations. Over time, "sod" became a more generalized term of abuse or insult, detached from its original specific meaning related to sexual acts.
In the context of "sod off," the term "sod" is used as a derogatory noun, but it has become somewhat less offensive over time, often considered more cheeky or informal rather than a serious insult. The usage of "sod" has expanded beyond "sod off" to include expressions like "poor sod" (a term of sympathy for someone in an unfortunate situation) and "lucky sod" (someone who is particularly fortunate), showcasing its versatility in British slang.
I always worry that I'll compliment someone, they'll have a look at my shabby self and it will have the opposite effect of them never wearing the thing again.
Same. I have zero fashion sense and it shows. Doesn't mean I can't appreciate something nice. But always scared if I compliment someone, that it will do more harm than good.
Thanks for sharing, somehow reassuring to know I'm not alone.
I get compliments from random people several times a week, and while it does feel kinda good it also makes me anxious and more aware of how I look. I feel a lot better when I give compliments, I generally don't get the anxiety and feel better about it afterwards.
When I was in a grocery store when I was visiting my sister a guy told me he liked the pin I had on my sweatshirt. I don't get compliments often, so when I do they honestly mean a lot to me and stick with me. Sad and pathetic? Maybe, but I don't think it's unusual. Certainly not uncommon.
I hate "random" interactions like these. I usually wear headphones to avoid them, but some people are so persistent, they gesture to for me to take them off so they can tell me something.
Just keep your comments to yourself, if I wanted your opinion on something, I'd ask.
It's amazing how well a small, well meaning compliment can make your day, your week...
I was playing hockey last month and one player on the other team complimented something I did on the ice. Simple thing. "Nice puck protection!" after I made a play. Fuck, I'm so used to being chirped out there that it caught me completely off guard. I told my gf that night "The karma version of my brain is like: I should compliment players on the other team more. They probably feel great when that happens too 😀"
Hell, I remember when one of my classmates in gym class complimented my basketball shot, and that was back in the '90s. (If you're out there, Leon, thanks.)
I really don't think so. This cashier looked bored af and I'm pretty sure Spirit Halloween knows their shit sells itself. Besides, they were complimenting me on my decidedly anti-capitalist "pride brick" hoodie, which is a brick with a rainbow on top.
