I don't take compliments very well. A combination of being a woman (socialised into self-hatred from a young age), being English (compliments are not self-deprecating enough), and being shy (don't notice me, don't notice me!). I tend to do the classic thing of either denying a compliment ("Your hair looks nice." "Oh, it's doing my head in at the moment, I hate the colour.") or ignoring and deflecting it ("I love your dress!" "Yours is amazing, where's it from?").
But recently, the loveliest compliments - ones I couldn't ignore - have come from two sources: The Boy, and my wonderful pupils.
Me, as I simultaneously blow my nose and try to calm my bed hair: "Why are you looking at me like that?" The Boy: "I was just thinking how pretty you look".
Year 9 pupil: "Your laugh is brilliant, it makes me laugh."
Year 9 pupil, on being told I turn 35 at my next birthday: "WHAT?!!! I thought you were about 26!" (They decided I must look young because I don't have any children. Fair point.)
Year 8 tutor group, after I hadn't seen them for almost a week due to SATs exams and meetings: "Where have you been?! We missed you!"
All gorgeous compliments to make your day.:))
ReplyDeleteVery sweet. Do you think you'll be better at taking compliments in the future?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to think so.. but nope, probably not!
DeleteAh those sound absolutely lovely! You must be a great teacher is they miss you after a week. You should embrace that, it's important :)
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! Xo
ReplyDeleteAhh, those compliments are lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI struggle with compliments too - especially thinkgs like 'your hair/dress/whatever is nice'. For some reason I'm always paranoid that they're being sarcastic.
when I get a compliment like that, I usually get overly self-deprecating "Oh this old dress? It cost me 50p from Primark, it's so tatty and horrible now". I need to start just saying "Thanks".
DeleteLove it! Compliments from the kids at work are the best!
ReplyDeleteLiz xx
Distract Me Now Please