Thursday 23 May 2013

Day 23: Compliments

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!"


8 comments:

  1. All gorgeous compliments to make your day.:))

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  2. Very sweet. Do you think you'll be better at taking compliments in the future?

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    1. I'd love to think so.. but nope, probably not!

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  3. Ah those sound absolutely lovely! You must be a great teacher is they miss you after a week. You should embrace that, it's important :)

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  4. Ahh, those compliments are lovely :)

    I 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.

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    1. 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".

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  5. Love it! Compliments from the kids at work are the best!

    Liz xx
    Distract Me Now Please

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