Taking Compliments – #FridayFeelings

29 Sep 2017 87 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , , ,

How are you at taking compliments?

Are you one of those who is able to graciously take one, smiling and not looking smug, or do you colour up and just not know what to say?

I’m not quite sure where I stand.

I don’t get outwardly embarrassed – it’s quite hard to flush as an Indian! But on the inside, I feel like a bit of a fraud taking a compliment.

The other day, my mum was so proud, telling me that one of my Hubby Dearest’s aunts had been on the phone to her, and within the conversation, she had mentioned how she thought everyone should have a perfect daughter-in-law like me.

That was so very sweet to hear, but I am good with the outward appearances. My parents have brought me up well, to understand about respecting elders, how to speak to everyone, having a smile on my face, and being happy to help.

I can do all that easily, but I’m not perfect, seriously. I still have my faults. I don’t do all the cooking and cleaning for my in-laws, I can get a bit stroppy with them, heck sometimes I don’t actually want to go there EVERY DAY, but I do. Because that is what a good daughter-in-law does.

I’m a wonderful wife and mother, apparently.

No, I am good at making sure everyone is fed, and had clean clothes. I know all homework is complete and I am a fantastic taxi service.

But I’m too tired to spend quality time with my Hubby without wanting to just fall asleep. I spend half the time yelling at my kids because I have used up all my patience on the children in my various classes.

My colleague told me she looks up to me, as a teacher.

I’m good. I’m not great. She is absolutely fantastic. I am calm and have a way with people so I can keep myself organised (Virgoan trait), and I can tell stories amazingly.

But I don’t think I am an inspiring teacher the way she is. There are days I want to walk out of the classroom. I don’t know my craft inside out – sometimes I totally wing it!

And as for being ‘Best Blogger’…

Really? I love what I do on this blog. I try my hardest. Yet I look at others, and I am in awe of them and what they achieve. I’m not the ‘best’. I just put my heart and soul into it, and I hope for the best.

But I’m not inspiring. I don’t write things that are out of this world, just my jumbled up thoughts and interpretations.

So you see, I feel like a fraud. Somehow the outward appearance belies what I really am, and how I feel inside… And when someone compliments me, I feel awful, because I know it’s a facade…

I’m not some role model – I’m just me…

Though there is one thing that is true… I will most definitely always have a smile for you!

87 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Geetha B
    Oct 02, 2017 @ 08:13:38

    From what I have read from your blog you are an amazing human being and deserve to be an inspiration for others. I love the simple, humanitarian and tolerant approach of your writings.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. gemmaorton
    Oct 01, 2017 @ 20:45:09

    I am terrible at taking compliments, I never know what to say in return, other than something negative, in some way declining the compliment or stating at how I could be better.
    Great post, we should all know our strengths, weaknesses and be proud of being ‘me’.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Sarah Brentyn
    Oct 01, 2017 @ 15:10:08

    I am awful at taking compliments. I’ve written (at least) one post about it. I’m extremely self deprecating when people say something nice. :-/

    I love your post here, admitting fault, taking some praise, and, ultimately, being yourself. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Cloud Walker
    Oct 01, 2017 @ 14:58:43

    I’m so strange, that when people compliment me, there’s akways an underling of sarcasm.🍁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Nisthur Anadi
    Oct 01, 2017 @ 11:29:57

    Lol you are perfect in every role and sense.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. jazzfeathers
    Oct 01, 2017 @ 11:25:22

    I know exactly what you mean.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Trackback: Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 137 | But I Smile Anyway...

  8. NickyB.
    Oct 01, 2017 @ 02:43:36

    I have to admit that sometimes I do not take compliments well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. josypheen
    Sep 30, 2017 @ 20:42:15

    Those are lovely heartfelt compliments. Even if they are hard to take, I hope they made your day better.

    Don’t feel like a fraud. You’re awesome.

    Like

    Reply

  10. willowdot21
    Sep 30, 2017 @ 19:27:00

    🌹💜😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Lisa Orchard
    Sep 30, 2017 @ 13:28:49

    It’s awesome to get such a wonderful compliment from your mother in law. They can be hard to please! So that makes the compliment that much better!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Jennifer
    Sep 30, 2017 @ 13:10:25

    All we can do every day is try our best. Seeing people trying their best inspires me to try my best.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. You Can Always Start Now
    Sep 30, 2017 @ 12:49:19

    You are so not a fraud. You are human. I think we are the worst at recognizing our own strengths. I think it if a human default to minimum our strengths first before someone else does. If that makes sense. I feel you, my dear, run on a different fuel than the rest of us to begin with!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Jennie
    Sep 30, 2017 @ 04:03:00

    Ritu, this is so wonderful! I swear you were writing about me. Really. Even the part about being a terrific storyteller. The best part is all the heart. And that’s what you have: heart. That’s what makes you amazing and why you get complements. Best to you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Erika Kind
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 20:44:29

    When whatever we do, we do from our hearts then it will always touch others and make them admire us…. the same way as we admire others. If we get such compliments then we have radiated something from deep inside.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 18:05:25

    Peace be with you

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Shadows Crew
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 17:53:10

    I offered to proofread for someone recently and they were super happy about it because, apparently, my writing is “so wonderful”. And ugh. That’s a nice thing to hear, but at the same time I don’t know what to say and I don’t like the pressure of having to find something to say. I’m just constantly tempted to respond with “Thank you, but… Please don’t.” o.o

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Aimer Boyz
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 17:10:43

    We pick ourselves apart, we know all the little things we could have done better, all the things we did wrong, or didn’t do at all. We’re so busy kicking ourselves that we don’t even notice the things we do right… Take the compliments, Ritu. You deserve them 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. OIKOS™-Redaktion
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 15:28:59

    Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region! and commented:

    WE ARE BACK ! MURPHY IS ELIMINATED! ,-)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. joey
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 15:12:21

    I used to be so awkward when given a compliment. I still struggle at times, but I’ve gotten better. As for you, just in reading you, I’d say you deserve all your compliments.
    You know what helps? Acknowledging that people SEE you. You know, like really see you, trying, struggling, balancing, leading, falling, laughing, crying, winning, losing — with grace. 🙂 It’s rather inspirational to see authenticity in all its forms.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Lutheranliar
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 14:35:46

    Here’s another compliment: You are such fun to read, and besides, you are generous, gracious and kind to other bloggers.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  22. Radhika Acharya
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 12:19:31

    Keep being who you are Ritu. 🙂 Although most of us don’t need compliments to survive, sometimes – just sometimes – it does feel nice when someone says something nice about us!!
    I have this friend who takes back every compliment I’ve received from someone else by commenting that they must be saying the same things to people other than me as well!! 😦

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  23. Prajakta
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 11:07:05

    It depends a lot on who is complimenting – I swing between the impostor syndrome and super smug I-know-I-am-the-best state… 🙂 Or just disregard it because empty compliments are the worst!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  24. nuwansenfilmsen
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 07:30:04

    Interesting write-up!! But don’t fret!! Nobody is really perfect. After all, we are just human, not saints!!
    But I agree, when one compliments me, I feel a tad embarrassed. It’s normal, whether you show it outwardly or not!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. foodzesty
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 07:26:48

    I think you great!! I love the stories that you write, your challenges, your everyday thoughts….when I read them I feel like I have a friend who is expressing there everyday issues and happiness and sadness to me. This is because you are good at what you do and it shows!!! my previous messages was I don’t even know what happened there. At the end your only human Ritu….:) Have a great day Sophie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  26. robbiesinspiration
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 06:11:15

    Hi Ritu, I am also not very good with compliments. Nobody is perfect but doing the best you can, even if you don’t always feel like it, is very honourable and does make you a really good person. Happy Friday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. Osyth
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 05:53:09

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so if others see your mothering, daughtering, teaching, blogging or whatever else as brilliant that is theirs to behold. Hearing it can be vaguely uncomfortable but you ARE all those things because others say so. Not a fraud at all but someone cherished and valued and I, for one, am not at all surprised 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  28. Judy E Martin
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 05:51:07

    I am not very good at talking compliments at all, and will often put myself down,Many of us can relate to this Sis, I certainly get blog envy when I see wonderful . polished blogs that look good and always produce great content. I have had to let it go though. I don’t have the time to spend on getting my blog anywhere near that standard! Like you, I write from the heart and I think that is what people love about your blog. That, and the fact that you are always so positive.
    None of us are perfect parents, wives, mothers but you love your family and are always there when they need you,. You do your best at everything you do and that counts for a lot xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  29. syl65
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 04:06:30

    We all have a pretty good sense of who we are inside. Just take the compliments graciously Sister as a sign of appreciation for who you are. You are not a fraud or pretender, you are just you…with a smile of course 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. IreneDesign2011
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 04:04:44

    Compliments are not always easy to receive, often I find them better to give. You are doing so well, you don’t need the compliments to survive, which some people do.
    Another thing is, how we compliment kids, they do need some, but even better to teach them to be satisfied with their own way of life.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  31. mihrank
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 03:52:30

    Ritu – you are a creative lady, talented in writing, positive and inspirational, respectful, a good sense of humor.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  32. susieshy45
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 03:40:45

    Ritu
    You are refreshingly honest. As to compliments, I believe it is a cultural thing. We are taught to do all that and so much more for others, that sometimes we don’t know how to be genuinely happy that we are there for others.
    Susie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  33. viridianreader
    Sep 29, 2017 @ 03:06:12

    Compliments are a tricky line to walk because you need to keep the balance between humble yet thankful. If you ever figure that out please let me know ASAP.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

My interactive peeps!