I'm feeling miserable today. Headache, stuffy head -- that sort of thing. But it's put me in mind of a compliment I received some years ago.
A young woman who worked for me showed up one day. When I asked her how she was doing, she said, "Not good at all. I'm having a lousy day, so I decided to come to work."
"Did I hear you right", I asked, "You decided to show up because you're having a lousy day?"
"Yeah", she said, "You always make me feel better."
So, what are some memorable compliments you've received? Fork them over!
Hmmm. Well, several people have told me I smell nice. In a martial arts class a few years ago, the girl I was training with spontaneously said, "You smell nice. You do!" I've also been complimented on my smell whenever I wear citronella balm on my arms and neck to repel mosqitoes (mostly for outdoor activities in summer).
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing for a girl to say! I bet she was at least a little bit romantically interested in you after that, whether she said anything about it or not.
DeleteThat was a wonderful compliment you received, Paul. Makes me wish I had a job that made me feel good to go to!
ReplyDeleteMy fav compliment was paid to me by my first (dear departed) husband John shortly before we married. We were choosing bible reading for our marriage ceremony. One of the readings was 1Corinthians 13, which reads, "Love is patient, love is kind..." I'm sure you've heard it. After I read it to him and turned to get his opinion, he said to me, "You are all the things that this reading says Love is." It still makes my heart burst with joy when I recall the moment he said that to me.
That's an especially beautiful compliment, Garnet! Thanks for sharing that!
DeleteThat was a nice work compliment Paul. It reminds me of one my boss screamed at me to end a disagreement. I was his bookkeeper fussing because he put too much of the "profits" in long term CD's and didn't leave enough in the bank for me to pay all the bills when they were due to arrive. His end to the argument was:
ReplyDelete"Anna...your biggest problem is you are honest to a *&$@(! fault!!!!"
I replied, "Well Jim...I assume that's why you hired me."
I would have hired someone as honest as you in a heartbeat. One of the biggest problems of being a boss is it tends to go to your head. You need honest folks around you to keep that from happening. They are worth every dollar you pay them.
DeleteThat really is great. There have been times when recalling a compliment helped lift me from feeling bad, and really we ought to recall more often the nice things said to us, since we sure remember the hurtful things said to us.
ReplyDeleteBut this reminds me that there is a guy at work who is so cheerful and fun to interact with that I'll stop in his office for no reason, just because it's a lift to see him. And I do tell him that.
I'm glad you have someone like that to work with. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if he doesn't feel the same way about you, Jon.
Delete"You choose very nice Christmas cards for being a man."
ReplyDeleteThat was before I came out. I think the co-worker who said this was in the 40% who was not surprised when I came out.
I hope you are feeling better by now.
Thanks, Dean. I finally decided the best way out of my funk over the past week or so was to write my way out of it. It seems to be working.
Delete"You choose very nice Christmas cards for being a man" is downright charming!
I repeatedly get the same compliment (never meant as one, of course), "You think too much!"
ReplyDeleteYour compliment was much nicer. [although fellow workers view me a 'funny' -- wait, I am not sure that is a compliment either. Shit]
I used to get much the same "compliment", Sabio. It would irritate me that they thought a person could actually think too much, given how little thought it is common to put into things. But at some point, I just decided that I wouldn't let it get to me anymore. That's when I started responding to it with, "You're probably right that I think too much, but I've got to give that some thought before I can be sure you're right." :D
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