Compliments & Insults

Can you take a compliment? I think in person, I blush and cringe, and I retreat to my awkward, bumbling self. But, deep down, I like being complimented. Who doesn't? It's nice knowing that someone noticed something good about you and brought it up in conversation. For some reason, I tend to always return a compliment, even if I don't believe what I say. I know, what a faker I am. I can't help myself. I don't know why I believe everything should be an even exchange.

So I've come to this theory that most people believe a compliment from a friend, family member, significant other, basically someone they are close to, is sort of just a comment in passing, or something positive mentioned for obligatory reasons. A compliment from a stranger holds no obligations, is obtained because the said stranger wants to deliver a compliment simply because he or she may be impressed with your feat, action, attribute, et cetera. Now because we know a stranger never needs to say anything to make us feel better about ourselves, or to maintain a positive relationship, they must really mean what they say. (Unless they're paying a compliment to get something in return...? That's another story.) In turn, it causes us to value a compliment from a stranger more highly than a compliment from someone we actually know.

On the other hand, an insult from a stranger may just be a bully being a bully, a dumbass running off his or her mouth, or a jerk working out his or her own issues. Who cares, right? We don't know this person. If they say something bad to us, let it go, we'll never see them again. So another comment goes ignored. Well you should ignore it, you don't know this jackass. Now when we receive an insult from a loved one, it hurts so much more. You think how could this person that you trust treat you so hurtfully? But nobody is perfect, we all hurt each other. If they're worth it, you work on it and repair the damage.

It's late and I must go to bed, only to wake up at an ungodly hour. Too bad I'm ending this on such a depressing note. Well that's typical of me.