How do you respend to the phrase "You're looking good!"
 

I have never been sure how to respond to the "You're looking good" compliment. Here is the most recent example:


A few days ago I attended my little brother's middle school graduation. His principle is the same person I had when I went to that school. The principle sees me and remembers me and walks over to chat. He does the "You're looking good thing" and I kind of stutter and say "So are you.... too." Now, this person is a 70 year old school principle, so me saying he was looking good was probably a little transparent. But on the other hand, it would be rude just to thank him and move on with the conversation.

So basically what I am asking is, how do you respond to the "You're looking good" compliment to someone who is, for lack of a better term, NOT looking as good as when you last saw them? I don't want to sound egotistical here, I am not a model or anything, it's just that this situation has always made me uncomfortable.

There's a little thing called a white lie, it doesn't hurt you, and it saves a lot of trouble.

How are you today?
Fine
You look great!
Thanks, so do you.

As long as you can sell it, and sound convincing, what's wrong with that?

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Or just a simple thank you and it's good to see you again will always do, you are not obligated to return a compliment.

"Thanks, so do you."

"thanks! You're looking a little crusty though..."

Lol! Just kidding. Go with the above.

Right back atcha!

I immediately turn to look behind me as I am sure the lady isn't referring to me...

"Yeah, I am... what the hell happened to you?"

;)

"Thanks, the syphilis cleared right up!"

;-)

Geez! All this difficulty taking a compliment! Makes you wonder about the collective self-esteem around here....

What ever happened to, "Thank you very much"?

I would just say thank you.

One compliment does not require another one. People get themselves into trouble with that one.

This is all i could come up with.


"Thanks, I know."

"Thanks, I got that rash to go away."

"Thanks, I'm so glad they found a glass eye that matched my real one."

"Thanks, who would have thought a peg-leg could have been so stylish"

"Thanks, I'm wearing my mom's underwear."

"Thanks, you look like a pile a shit that was puked on by an overdosed hooker."

"Thanks, the medication makes me retain water."

"Thanks, it's that after-sex-with-a-15yr old-glow."

"yeah, im hot aint i"

"Thanks chief"

You can also substitute chief with big guy, boss, buddy, etc..

"Thanks. I feel like a new man. And If you've ever had a new man, you'll know exactly what I mean."

This is how I feel. I will always offer a gracious 'Thankyou' when I'm given a compliment. I don't say "YEAH I know I look hot don't I." Or anything so egotistical as that (unless I'm joking with a friend of course). Just a simple thank you in a NON-gloating way is sufficient acknowledgement. It is not rude to turn the conversation in another way once you've acknowledge what they said.

If I can think of one I will often offer a compliment in return. People who give a compliment aren't usually fishing for compliments though so it isn't a requirement.

In your case you could have said something like "Thanks I feel good. Has life been treating you well?"

Asking them a question about themselves will always turn the conversation to focus on them if you are uncomfortable fielding compliments. People LOVE to talk about themselves so would rarely take offense at a question about themselves.

Just say thanks! And then try complimenting them on something too.

When he was saying that 'you're looking good,' that probably means: 'Hey you're still alive and kickin'. That's awesome!'

"Thank you!"

is a pretty good way to respond, IMHO.

That's the one I use.

You should probably reply, "You're obviously looking well!"

Seriously, just say thanks and that it is nice to see the person (which can be true becuase you are pleased to see them, or because you are pleased to be reminded that you haven't seen them).

You know, the other thing people say is, "Oh, no, I'm not looking good. No, I'm just getting over a cold.. This old thing? I've had it forever."

When somebody compliments you, they're not just blowing air up your skirt. They're saying something that is designed to make you feel good, and it rips them off if you refuse to feel good about it. It's a total slap in the face to have your complement argued with.

Say, "Thanks!" It's that simple.

If someone says it to me, it's always when I'm dressed up for some occasion, so I know they're talking about my clothes, and not me. So I can say:
"Well, I wear the pants in the family, but my wife picks them out for me, and pretty much all my other clothes too. So, I can't take any credit."

I always say "Well... I try" to any compliment I recieve. It always gets a laugh and you are free to move on in the conversation

"Damn straight!"

But, you see how that rips them off? You've successfully deflected their compliment so you don't have to deal with what you look like to people, and you've done it with a little quip that makes you look very clever. But the other person is left like, "Geez, I try to compliment the guy and he argues with me!? Tells me I'm wrong!?"

That sucks for them. Don't do that to people.

Just TAKE THE COMPLIMENT. You don't have to agree with it, it doesn't have to make sense to you. But give the other person the gift of getting what they said.

When someone says you are looking good, I feel the best thing to say back is, "I'm feeling good." with a big smile.

Thanks, of course, always suits just fine.