Why compliments count

“I can live for two months on a good compliment.” ~Mark Twain

We all know a few people who rarely pay a compliment. They might be worried about appearing insincere, or maybe they’re a little envious of others.

But there’s science to prove that flattery will get you everywhere. As reported in Medical Economics, researchers confirmed that people respond positively to flattery — even when they know the flatterer has an ulterior motive.

Better yet, compliments can motivate us. When a supervisor praises our efforts at work, for instance, statistics show we’re likely to experience higher job satisfaction and stay in the position longer. In social situations, we’re inclined to think positive thoughts about people who tell us we look nice or admire something we’ve done.

Paying a sincere compliment is an act of generosity and it reflects self-confidence. Not surprisingly, we seek out the company of others who make us feel good about ourselves. ~CL