Dear pipsqueaks,
Hv u ever wondered just how influential ur words can be? Here was a situation that reminded me the power of words...as usual, lots of travellers in the hotel/service apartment I'm staying at. So it's completely normal to be sharing a fully squished elevator with a room of total strangers. But today was a little different. In a rush, I ran into an elevator occupied by a pair of arabic mother n daughter. I'm sure u've all seen them before: covered from head to toe with only a pair of eyes showing...somehow, I always feel inappropriately dressed when I'm around them, even in my work clothes!
Tho, that day I was sporting a pink v-neck t-shirt with black casual shorts in flipflops. Very tourisy lol. So, waiting in silence for my stop, the mother n daughter chit-chatted in arabic, n of course I didn't know what they were talking. But I did pick up the fact that they were talking about me cos they kept looking over. I'm thinking to myself, "oh here we go again. They're gonna ask me if I was from china..." Having an answer prepared, I was ready for their question. As I locked eyes with the mother, I smiled politely. Suddenly, she made a gesture. An italian hand movement where all five fingers are pointing together n "nodding" (what comes to mind is someone saying "delicio!"- or delicious in italian- don't pick on my language skills plz) n saying "you beautiful. very beautiful". U should hv seen my "eh?" face cos that was exactly what I thought (or may had even said out loud- hoping I didn't cos that would hv sound retarded cos "eh" probably doesn't mean the same to them as it does to canadians)...before I could make sense of it all, I said "thank u" with a big smile, n they scatted off the elevator.
How odd that a complete stranger would say that to me? Altho it wasn't the first time (:P), I just don't expect random people to talk to me, let alone share a compliment. Now come to think of it, it should be something that's done more often. If u see something u like or feel positively about someone, u should say it. U'd be surprised how simple words can make their day. She sure lit mine. It doesn't have to be worth some kind of award to be complimented, n let's be honest here, not all those worthy of awards get one n not all those who got one were worthy.
If u aren't comfortable with talking to complete strangers, then start with friends or acquaintances. Remember, it doesn't hv to be some crazy compliment. It could be as simple as "I love those glasses on u" or "u hv a great smile" or whatever ur heart truly feels. But, of course, don't be fake n say something u don't honestly feel or think cos that just defeats the whole purpose of sharing a compliment. Its meant to be true, rewarding n inspirational. Anything less is not worth to comment. Now, go make someone's day, maybe even their month, year, or life! U never know what a small gesture such as a compliment can do. Imagine the butterfly effect!
U don't have to be rich to spare a compliment.