Why we don't dole out many compliments, but should
&gt; No one, after all, wants to come across as clumsy, patronising (sic) or fawning.&quot;<p>Or come across as creepy :). The article is well formed and I completely agree: a complement (generally) costs you nothing but can have outsized positive effect on a recipient.<p>And even _knowing_ this, I&#x27;ve generally not complemented the pretty dress that a lady is wearing on the train or at the store because, well, because imagined scenarios where I&#x27;m briskly turned away for the audacity to talk to such a person. To combat that and to not sound like I&#x27;m trying to strike up conversation, when I give compliments to strangers I do it casually and as I&#x27;m leaving their vicinity (for guys or girls). &quot;That&#x27;s a fantastic shirt,&quot; or &quot;beautiful necklace&quot; happens on my way out.<p>It also turns out I don&#x27;t think I know how to take a complement. Like, I can say thank you, but feel pressure to give a complement and I prefer to give a genuine one but then worry it will come across as forced. This reciprocity is highlighted in the article. It is also a pattern used by folks preying on others. Overall, I feel I&#x27;m generally socially awkward and I&#x27;ve settled on the drive by complement with strangers. Folks I know, that&#x27;s different.