I was walking down the street deep in thought one day when I was stopped by someone who decided to tell me that I looked nice. After that sweet comment, I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, not knowing what to say. My brain shut down for a minute, my face got hot, and all that came out was a whispered thank you. As soon as I got away, I spent the rest of the day wondering how I should have responded. Not because I wanted to say something to wow them, but because when someone takes the time to compliment you, the response you give is important.
So ever since that day, I have been observant of how people respond to compliments. Some people graciously accept and reply in a way that makes you feel awesome for giving them the compliment. Others deflect it or push it right back and essentially take away the opportunity for someone to sincerely compliment them. I have come to learn that your response not only tells people how confident you are in yourself, but it also shows how kind you are as a person.
Why Responding Well To Compliments Is Important
When someone gives you a compliment, they are recognizing you. They notice something they like about you and take the time to actually say it out loud. Giving someone a compliment can boost their mood, self-esteem, and feelings of connection to those around them socially.
Research even shows that receiving a compliment stimulates the reward center of your brain the same way receiving money does. That means a simple compliment can have lasting emotional value that you hold on to after the person walks away. When you know how to respond properly to a compliment, you ensure that you and the person giving it to you feel that reward too.
50 Ways to Respond To A Compliment
Below are 50 different ways you can respond to someone who compliments you. These are not lines that you need to memorize, but rather examples you can learn from to find what works for you. There are plenty of options for just about any situation and personality type. I tried to mix simple and short responses with ones that may take a bit more thought. You can use these responses for both professional and personal situations.
1. Responses That Are Simple and Straight to the Point
1. Thank you, that means a lot coming from you.
2. I appreciate you noticing that.
3. Thank you, I’m glad you think so.
4. That’s kind of you to say.
5. Thanks, I worked hard on that.
6. I really value your opinion, so that means a lot.
7. Thank you, I’m happy it made a good impression.
8. That’s very generous of you to say.
Read Also: How to Compliment a Man
2. Responses That Are Heartfelt and Thankful
9. I’m grateful for your kind words.
10. Thanks, that brightened my day.
11. I’m glad you liked it, thank you.
12. Your words mean more than you know.
13. Thanks, I’m glad you noticed.
14. I’m flattered, thank you.
15. That’s wonderful to hear, thank you.
16. I appreciate you saying that.
17. Thanks, I wasn’t sure how it came across.
18. That’s so thoughtful of you to mention.
19. Thanks, I’m really proud of that.
3. Responses That Are Polite and Reserved
20. I appreciate your kindness.
21. Thanks, I feel good about it too.
22. I’m touched you would say that.
23. Thanks, I’m glad you think that way.
24. That means a lot, especially coming from you.
25. Thanks, I’ve been working on that.
26. I appreciate the encouragement.
27. That’s very kind, thank you.
28. Thanks, I was hoping someone would notice.
29. I’m glad you feel that way, thank you.
30. I appreciate you taking the time to say that.
31. Thanks, I’m happy it turned out well.
4. Helps You Feel Confident About Yourself
32. That’s encouraging to hear, thank you.
33. I’m honored you think that.
34. Thanks, it’s good to hear that from you.
35. I really appreciate your feedback.
36. Thanks, I wasn’t expecting that.
37. That’s uplifting to hear, thank you.
5. Responses That Are Downright Sweet
38. I’m thankful for your kind words.
39. Thanks, you made my day.
40. I appreciate the support.
41. Thanks, that means I’m on the right track.
42. I’m glad it resonated with you.
43. Thank you for noticing, it matters to me.
44. That’s reassuring to hear, thanks.
6. Help Others Feel Good About Giving You a Compliment
45. I’m grateful you shared that with me.
46. Thanks, it motivates me to keep going.
7. Avoid These Responses
47. I’m humbled by your words.
48. Thanks, you’re very thoughtful.
49. I appreciate your kindness more than you’ll ever know.
50. That’s the sweetest thing anyone has said to me today, thank you.
How to Respond When You Don’t Think You Deserve the Compliment
There will be times when you receive a compliment that you feel you don’t deserve. Maybe you didn’t spend as much time on a project as others think you did, or you are your own worst critic. Regardless of the reason, if this happens, try your best not to shoot down the compliment.
Instead, you can still say thank you and be gracious, but also relay your side if you need to. You can say something like, “Thank you, I appreciate that. I still think I could have done better, but I’m glad you liked it.” This allows you to not completely shut the other person down, but still be honest.
Three Things to Avoid When Someone Compliments You
As I mentioned before, the biggest mistake you can make when someone compliments you is to turn the compliment back on yourself. If someone tells you that you look nice and you respond with “No, I look horrible today,” you are stealing the opportunity for that person to make someone feel good about themselves. Another mistake is making your response about you in a way that dismisses their compliment.
Focus on them and not yourself when you reply. It’s okay to bring up things you did too, but don’t dominate the conversation with your good deeds.
Should You Always Return the Favor?
I’m not saying you should turn into an automatic compliment machine who responds to every single compliment with another. But there are some situations where it’s natural and sincere to return the compliment.
Let’s say someone tells you that they love your shirt and you notice they have on a shirt that you really like as well. It would be natural to point that out and create a back and forth conversation of shared interests. As long as you’re genuine with your words and don’t simply say something nice because you feel like you have to say something, that’ll work too.
Final Thoughts
Think of receiving a compliment as someone handing you a miniature present. You can unwrap it by dismissing it and killing the mood, or you can respond by thanking them and making them feel great. Take pride in how you accept and return compliments because it not only encourages the other person to continue brightening people’s days, but it helps you feel good about yourself too.
Responding to compliments is a two-way street. Someone else started the interaction by giving you one, but you can make it a memorable exchange by learning how to respond. And believe me when I say there are enough people in this world not worried about brightening your day; by knowing how to respond properly to a compliment, you can be the one brightening theirs.
FAQ
What is the best basic response to a compliment?
A simple “Thank you” is enough, and you can add one short sentence if you want.
Why do people deflect compliments?
Some people feel awkward receiving praise or worry it looks arrogant to accept it.
Should I always return a compliment?
Not always, but if it’s genuine and fits naturally, it can turn the moment into a good conversation.
What if I feel like I don’t deserve the compliment?
Try not to shut it down. You can thank them and still be honest without dismissing their words.
Can accepting compliments help confidence?
Yes—responding well shows confidence and also makes the other person feel good for giving the compliment.
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