06-16-2004, 06:41 PM | #1 (permalink) |
eat more fruit
Location: Seattle
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How do you respend to the phrase "You're looking good!"
I have never been sure how to respond to the "You're looking good" compliment. Here is the most recent example:
A few days ago I attended my little brother's middle school graduation. His principle is the same person I had when I went to that school. The principle sees me and remembers me and walks over to chat. He does the "You're looking good thing" and I kind of stutter and say "So are you.... too." Now, this person is a 70 year old school principle, so me saying he was looking good was probably a little transparent. But on the other hand, it would be rude just to thank him and move on with the conversation. So basically what I am asking is, how do you respond to the "You're looking good" compliment to someone who is, for lack of a better term, NOT looking as good as when you last saw them? I don't want to sound egotistical here, I am not a model or anything, it's just that this situation has always made me uncomfortable.
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"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche |
06-16-2004, 06:48 PM | #2 (permalink) |
Junkie
Moderator Emeritus
Location: Chicago
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There's a little thing called a white lie, it doesn't hurt you, and it saves a lot of trouble.
How are you today? Fine You look great! Thanks, so do you. As long as you can sell it, and sound convincing, what's wrong with that? --------------- Or just a simple thank you and it's good to see you again will always do, you are not obligated to return a compliment.
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Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.
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06-17-2004, 09:44 AM | #11 (permalink) |
Here
Location: Denver City Denver
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This is all i could come up with.
"Thanks, I know." "Thanks, I got that rash to go away." "Thanks, I'm so glad they found a glass eye that matched my real one." "Thanks, who would have thought a peg-leg could have been so stylish" "Thanks, I'm wearing my mom's underwear." "Thanks, you look like a pile a shit that was puked on by an overdosed hooker." "Thanks, the medication makes me retain water." "Thanks, it's that after-sex-with-a-15yr old-glow."
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heavy is the head that wears the crown |
06-17-2004, 11:31 AM | #12 (permalink) |
Insane
Location: The Eng
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"yeah, im hot aint i"
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06-17-2004, 12:06 PM | #14 (permalink) |
Minion of the scaléd ones
Location: Northeast Jesusland
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"Thanks. I feel like a new man. And If you've ever had a new man, you'll know exactly what I mean."
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06-17-2004, 12:29 PM | #15 (permalink) | ||
I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot!
Location: Upper Michigan
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Quote:
Quote:
If I can think of one I will often offer a compliment in return. People who give a compliment aren't usually fishing for compliments though so it isn't a requirement. In your case you could have said something like "Thanks I feel good. Has life been treating you well?" Asking them a question about themselves will always turn the conversation to focus on them if you are uncomfortable fielding compliments. People LOVE to talk about themselves so would rarely take offense at a question about themselves.
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"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma. |
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06-17-2004, 04:11 PM | #17 (permalink) |
Cracking the Whip
Location: Sexymama's arms...
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"Thank you!"
is a pretty good way to respond, IMHO.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate! |
06-18-2004, 04:20 AM | #19 (permalink) |
spudly
Location: Ellay
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You should probably reply, "You're obviously looking well!"
Seriously, just say thanks and that it is nice to see the person (which can be true becuase you are pleased to see them, or because you are pleased to be reminded that you haven't seen them).
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Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam |
06-18-2004, 09:04 AM | #20 (permalink) |
Darth Papa
Location: Yonder
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You know, the other thing people say is, "Oh, no, I'm not looking good. No, I'm just getting over a cold.. This old thing? I've had it forever."
When somebody compliments you, they're not just blowing air up your skirt. They're saying something that is designed to make you feel good, and it rips them off if you refuse to feel good about it. It's a total slap in the face to have your complement argued with. Say, "Thanks!" It's that simple. |
06-18-2004, 10:45 AM | #21 (permalink) |
cookie
Location: in the backwoods
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If someone says it to me, it's always when I'm dressed up for some occasion, so I know they're talking about my clothes, and not me. So I can say:
"Well, I wear the pants in the family, but my wife picks them out for me, and pretty much all my other clothes too. So, I can't take any credit." |
06-18-2004, 11:32 AM | #22 (permalink) |
change is hard.
Location: the green room.
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I always say "Well... I try" to any compliment I recieve. It always gets a laugh and you are free to move on in the conversation
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EX: Whats new? ME: I officially love coffee more then you now. EX: uh... ME: So, not much. |
06-19-2004, 04:19 AM | #24 (permalink) | |
Darth Papa
Location: Yonder
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Quote:
That sucks for them. Don't do that to people. Just TAKE THE COMPLIMENT. You don't have to agree with it, it doesn't have to make sense to you. But give the other person the gift of getting what they said. |
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good, phrase, respend |
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