Compliments can influence the mood and self-esteem of those who receive them and are excellent tools for establishing a positive and empathetic climate.
In the frenzy of everyday life,
the emotional impact of kind expressions
is often underestimated , even if there are circumstances in which they could make a difference.
The little things: how to compliment
There are ways and moments in which a compliment can really be touching for the person receiving it, others in which it can cause embarrassment.
1. Consider the place: there are occasions in which it is better to compliment in front of an audience (e.g. an important recognition for an academic or work success), others in which a dedicated, sincere and intimate moment is more appreciated (e.g. a personal quality that is respected and admired).
Considering the personality of the person receiving the compliments is certainly essential to avoid creating embarrassment, as is the culture of reference (e.g. in China people tend not to express their feelings in public).
2. Be spontaneous and go beyond the surface: compliments on a change of look are always greatly appreciated, but we must not forget to also praise a person's internal qualities, a good practice that can help establish more authentic and intimate bonds (e.g. praising the intelligence of an observation made by your interlocutor).
3. Actions speak louder than words: despite the significant role of words, actions can often help to enhance and materialize them: small gestures, small gifts of gratitude, can be just as many actions to demonstrate one's gratitude.
On the occasion of World Compliment Day on March 1st, Wep proposes
an intercultural journey in search of ways and expressions with which to express gratitude around the world
.
There are ways of saying that, if translated literally into Italian, can be misleading because they do not "sound" like praise.
Here are some expressions to know to surprise the locals
1. “Tu es mon Petit Chou”: this French phrase which literally means “you are my little cabbage”, is commonly used to express sweetness and affection.
In fact, the name "chou" in France is used not only for the vegetable, but also to indicate a round and soft sweet pastry, "chou à la crème" which in Italian translates as cream puffs.
To dedicate to someone sweet!
2. “Tamago gata no kao”: The Japanese expression translates as “you are an egg with eyes” and might seem like the opposite of a compliment.
However, by contextualizing it, we are able to better grasp the flattery that lies behind the appearance: the oval face is in fact considered a very attractive feature for Japanese culture!
Therefore perfect for complimenting the appearance of your interlocutor.
3. “Good on ya mate!”: Australian slang used to express a sincere “good job!”.
The noun "mate" for Australians in fact has a deeper meaning than the classic translation of "companion" and is also commonly used to indicate friends and brothers.
“Good on ya” is the short and informal form of “good on you”.
You can therefore use this expression in a context in which you want to express approval and esteem for the results achieved.
4. “Gaja Gamini”: An animal one might be associated with in India is the elephant.
The Hindi phrase "gaja gamini", translatable as "you walk like an elephant", for Western perception could almost seem like an insult aimed at a heavy walk.
In India, however, an elephant's stride is considered majestic, slow and elegant.
5. “Uma pessoa fofinha”: literally translated as “a soft/soft person”, this Portuguese expression is used to describe someone who is nice and kind. “Fofinha” is obtained by adding the Portuguese adjective “fofo” (“soft” ) the endearment suffix “-inha”, used to reinforce the concept (in this case “extra soft”) and which in fact can also be used with other words, such as, for example, “amigo” (“friend”) which becomes “ amiguinho” (“a very dear friend to me”).
6. “Chen yu luo yan”: This type of Chinese proverb, which translates to the phrase “fish diving, geese swooping” is used to praise a person's physical appearance.
The expression, in fact, derives from an ancient legend according to which it is said that a woman of extreme beauty was able to make fish forget how to swim and geese forget how to flap their wings to fly.
She will warm the heart of the person to whom she will be dedicated to her.
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