CuriositiesJUN 28, 2024

40 Compliments That Left A Lasting Impact On The People Who Received Them

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You have likely heard someone joking about how men will never forget a compliment if you gave them one; in their world, a situation like this is so rare, they cherish the kind word as if it was the last butterfly on earth.

But all jokes aside, some compliments are truly unforgettable, whether because of how sincere and moving they are, or because they are presented at a time you need one the most. Members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ community have recently discussed compliments they will remember for the rest of their lives after one user started a thread about it. Ranging from witty to emotional, they ought to bring a smile to your face (maybe even make you a little teary-eyed), so if you’re looking for your daily dose of wholesome, look no further and enjoy the list below.

Below you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with a Professor Emerita at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, Dr. Marilyn Fitzpatrick, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about the power of compliments.

#1

40 Compliments That Left A Lasting Impact On The People Who Received Them

I love music so I really give it all on the dancefloor when I'm out.

After one of the parties, a guy came up to me, says he's completely deaf but watching me dance it was almost as if he heard music again 🥺.

CreepyPersonality111, Inga Seliverstova/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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264points

#2

While dressed in studded-leather Warrior-Princess mode, complete with boots, gauntlets and sword, at an outdoor summer dance festival, was told I was cool by a boy of about 13. I was nearly 50.

Impulsive_Artiste, YI REN/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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196points

#3

My ailing grandma told me I was her "favorite person" as her last words to me. I loved her so dearly and it meant a lot.

Lexiwolf333, Paul Theodor Oja/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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173points

“Research shows that compliments tend to increase the well-being of both the people who give them and the people who receive them,” Dr. Marilyn Fitzpatrick told Bored Panda in a recent interview, emphasizing that compliments can have a positive effect on everyone involved.

It might come as no surprise for those who’ve ever received a compliment; many would likely agree that it’s usually followed by a flood of positive emotions. (Even though some studies suggest that close to 70% of people associate compliments with feelings of embarrassment or even discomfort.)

#4

In college I didn't have many friends my first year. I wasn't as outgoing as I am now. I was riding the elevator in my dorm when a girl walked in. She smiled and said I have beautiful eyes. I don't even know if I replied honestly. I'd never had any attribute highlighted by anybody I wasn't related to. That interaction gave me a big boost in confidence.

It also taught me to compliment people, especially dudes. We never get compliments. If you're in my zone and are looking fresh, you know I'm gonna tell ya!

RonnieHasThePliers, Mike Jones/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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171points

#5

A car full of girls rolled past me slowly one time when I was out shopping and yelled out "GIRL, YOU'RE SO CUTE, WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR DRESS!?"

And that was just so aggressively nice.

BeckyWithTheDontCare, Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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152points

Discussing the possible reasons why some people struggle to accept compliments, Dr. Fitzpatrick suggested that it might be because they don’t coincide with people’s beliefs about themselves. “If I do not feel like I am worthwhile in some way and you tell me that I am, I am now in a situation of cognitive dissonance,” she explained.

#6

A former Royal Marine told me that the world will be alright as long as there's men like me in it.

...was kind of wowed 'bout that.

savessh, Mathias Reding/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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149points

#7

"you have no idea how safe and destressed I feel after hanging out with you"
Was unexpected as it came from an overly stressed, kinda cynical person who is actually going through a lot.

walkintree941, Serkan Göktay/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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144points

#8

Christmas mid 90's. My oldest was 3. Money was tight and I felt it constantly. I was tying the cheapest tree we could find to the top of our rusty Toyota. My son was "helping" me. An older man came over and said "You are a wealthy man." I tear up even now as I type this.

nagerjaeger, cottonbro studio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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144points

“When we believe that the world has not been good to us, we tend to be more reluctant to be generous with others, including generous in giving compliments,” Dr. Fitzpatrick continued. “So, if you want to get the benefits that come to you when you offer compliments, you might work to notice how good the world is to you.

“Keeping a gratitude journal would be one strategy for noticing how the world is good to you; it is a strategy that is reliably associated with better well-being,” the expert added.

#9

It was from my sister. I'm a wheelchair user with limited mobility. My sister said to me "You are not useless for not being able to move, you are beautiful and smarter than me, so you're not useless, you just have different abilities".

Glum_Benefit3704, Judita Mikalkevičė/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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140points

#10

It was the only time in my entire life I’ve received this compliment from a stranger. I was helping out a customer and she was quiet but friendly. Before she left she said “you have a sunny disposition” and I almost cried. That compliment has stuck with me and it’s been nearly a decade later.

Melia9090, cottonbro studio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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131points

#11

When I had my super red hair, a little girl told me that I looked like Ariel. I told her oh yes the mermaid, and she said yes a princess. Made me honestly tear up, I really needed that in that moment too.

jenna_leee, WARLEY VENANCIO/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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128points

Dr. Fitzpatrick also pointed out that research suggests that we tend to underestimate the positive impact of our compliments, “which may be one reason that people give fewer compliments even if they want to give them,” she said, pointing out that our beliefs about complimenting play a role, too.

#12

“Your hugs heal something broken in all of us.” I still tear up thinking about it.

T3rminallyCapricious, Jonathan Borba/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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114points

#13

I was talking to this random guy I met at my friend’s houseparty for the whole night and before leaving he said “you’re very vibrant and full of life, dont let that child in you die, ever”.

I still smile like a crazy person whenever I remember this😅.

Front_Glass_904, Italo Melo/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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105points

#14

Casually walking with my dog, a clearly unstable and troubled person was held down by a few police, the person looked up, we locked eyes and she yelled on her top of lungs - HEY dude I love your face!!!!!!!!

The entire street looked, and my dog looked back and gave me a huge grin.

WonderOk9463, Zen Chung/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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102points

If you believe in the positive power of compliments, consider this a gentle reminder to compliment others—as well as yourself—when you feel like that’s what you want to do. Chances are, they’re at a point where they need to hear it the most, and it costs nothing to be nice.

#15

When I was in high school I did forensics and I wrote my own poetry for it. I was really struggling with mental health at the time so I really channeled it into my work and performance and at the regionals competition I made a woman cry. She and her husband approached me in the hall after we all left the classroom and she started just saying that my poetry was beautiful and how I should have it published to which I was very flattered and thanked her graciously but then I could see her face was starting to turn red and there were tears forming in her eyes. She started turning her compliments into words of encouragement and saying how strong I was and such and by the time she was done she was crying. I am really empathetic so seeing this grown woman crying made me cry as well and so I asked if she wanted a hug and she said yes and pulled me into the tightest hug I have ever been in. Not in a painful way but it was just so secure like she did not want to let me go. I could feel just how much my words meant to her by that hug. I still tear up remembering how it felt because I have never felt someone put so much emotion into a hug before. Her husband did not cry but I could tell he felt the same way by his expression. What really gets me is how I will never know her name and will never see her again, yet I will still never forget what she did. I wrote my college essay on her and any hard times I faced after that I would always think about her. I am thankful we shared that moment.

Training_Baseball123

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97points

#16

I got "You look like a Botticelli painting" twice.

Reasonable_Walk_2508, Guilherme Almeida/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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92points

#17

Having just left a job that I had given all my effort to which wasn’t appreciated and then had been dropped from the contract renewal list…when my new managers approached me after a stressful shift and said:

“we are so happy you’re with us, we’ve never had someone who just gets on with the work no fuss and is always in a good mood”

it really hit me deep and especially at that point when I thought I was acting grumpy nearly 24/7, it elevated my mood and performance going forward.

I was only at that job a few months but the entire team attended my leaving event on short notice and still invite me to socials.

Vivid-Reception-2813, Vinicius Wiesehofer/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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90points

#18

In 5th grade a gym teacher assistant picked me and a few other kids to learn a dance for the assembly. i asked why and she said I was graceful when I dance. that lead to a lifetime of a least a willingness to dance, which in turn led to a whole lot of really fun stuff. so i'm grateful for her.

Meet_the_Meat

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87points

#19

Had a client once bring me a framed placard, she had handmade, saying “To the world, you may be just one person, but to one person, you could mean the world”. Still hangs in my office to this day.

HopefulStand2001

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85points

#20

"you're legit a good human being" from a girl I went to school with about 13 years after we graduated.

HeyItsKeys, Helena Lopes/Pexels (not the actual photo)

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85points

Poll Question

What type of compliment do you find most memorable?

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