How to handle compliments...

CamilleP · ‎03-09-2010

I wore a pair of Driftwood jeans on a Costco shopping trip on Wednesday to a different town, and we wound up eating out at two different restaurants for lunch and dinner. I don't often get compliments at my age, but three different women told me they loved those embroidered jeans! I guess they weren't liking "me" so much as the clothes, but I have to admit, I'm really glad I splurged on those jeans, the embroidery pattern is called "Feathery Leaf", and the colors are quite autumnal, so the pumpkin colored sweater I wore worked out well. Still, I wonder why I am still uncomfortable when being complimented on anything? Was it my Catholic upbringing, or were all girls born in the 50's taught to be a little ashamed of how they looked, no matter how they looked?

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@CamilleP

Many people are timid about this. Some not. I was always taught to say "thank you" and just go on about my business or say "thank you for your kind comment." I have a DIL who is timid about such and has a hard time also receiving gifts.

smoochy · ‎03-10-2010

girls born in the 1950s. Yes. We were taught to take a back seat in just about every area of life. I didn't question this nor did my peers. Just a part of our upbringing that we accepted as right and correct. Humility, modesty, not seeking attention in our appearance or demeanor. Those girls were described as "fast". I was raised in the Baptist church so it wasn't just Catholic girls learning the "art" of self deprecation

MICHIGAN STATE MOM

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

I was raised as a military brat. As far as I can remember, seeing women in the military never took a back seat to anything. I was always taught to be competitive and speak out for what I believed in. My military dad always said to stand up and be heard no matter what.

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

@CamilleP

YES...especially if you went to an "all girls" high school (!!!) di

♥Surface of the Sun♥

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

I just say thank you whether it's about my appearance or some other thing. I have no idea what one would say besides that.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

I am a 50's girl and was never taught to take a back seat to anything as such--just to respect my elders, and say thank you. I can take a compliment just fine with a --thank you or a-- that's very kind---also I hand out compliments too, wherever I see fit. Soak in that compliment and smile about it.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:
I was raised as a military brat. As far as I can remember, seeing women in the military never took a back seat to anything. I was always taught to be competitive and speak out for what I believed in. My military dad always said to stand up and be heard no matter what.

@SilleeMee

Nor in my family either and I was not a military brat but one whose parents' businesses took us to travel until I was about 7-8 and then my mother had her own business and we stayed with her while Daddy went to foreign countries where women were treated like animals.

SloopJohnB · ‎04-25-2020

@CamilleP wrote:
I wore a pair of Driftwood jeans on a Costco shopping trip on Wednesday to a different town, and we wound up eating out at two different restaurants for lunch and dinner. I don't often get compliments at my age, but three different women told me they loved those embroidered jeans! I guess they weren't liking "me" so much as the clothes, but I have to admit, I'm really glad I splurged on those jeans, the embroidery pattern is called "Feathery Leaf", and the colors are quite autumnal, so the pumpkin colored sweater I wore worked out well. Still, I wonder why I am still uncomfortable when being complimented on anything? Was it my Catholic upbringing, or were all girls born in the 50's taught to be a little ashamed of how they looked, no matter how they looked?

@CamilleP @Desertdi I was born in the 60's, Catholic schooling including an all girls high school. I find I take compliments with a simple thank you best, but I have to admit I never was one who fished for compliments. However, all these years later I find myself running across some of my co-workers who not only fish for compliments but go trolling. Lol. Never was my style and at my age, safe to say I'm not about to start now. But I have to admit, it is nice to hear one every now and then.

I would give everything I own just to have you back again.......David Gates of Bread

PhilaLady1 · ‎03-11-2010

I was born in the 50's. I was neither taught to be timid or bold, from my parents or from the religion I grew up in. I think our reactions to compliments are what comes natural to each individual. I was always uncomfortable receiving compliments. In my teens and twenties I used to blush. I think it's mostly from our personality, our genetics.