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For me, compliments are in the same category with getting thanked for something. It's hard to hear when people give it to you, but it's actually a GIFT to other people to let them compliment you and thank you.
I think most human beings really don't want to get acknowledged or complimented or thanked--it's not just you, Hal. "Nice shirt." -- "Oh, this old thing?" It's embedded deep in how we relate to one another.
But we LOVE complimenting each other and thanking each other. And we feel snubbed and ripped off when those communications are brushed off. We don't notice it when we brush them off, but we sure notice when they get brushed off!
I once took on an exercise of thanking people for compliments and accepting it gracefully when we're thanked for something. The only answer I'd let myself give when complimented was, "Thanks!", and the only answer I'd let myself give when thanked was, "You're welcome!" Suddenly I found myself getting complimented and thanked A LOT by the people around me! Turns out when you're open to receiving those things, people WANT to give them to you!
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