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National Compliment Day – January 24, 2020

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Fri Jan 24
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What is National Compliment Day?

On January 24, celebrate National Compliment Day by going all out with praise. The power of a compliment is pretty remarkable: either giving or receiving one can boost your happiness and confidence — making the act a win-win. You never know when someone could use some good vibes, so spread the positivity by giving someone a reason to smile!
 

History of National Compliment Day

Complimenting people on a good job, or praising them for work we admire, is so engrained in human nature that we do it without even giving it a second thought. Which is why we believe it’s important to compliment a good compliment! So, without further ado, here’s 3 of our favorite compliments in history:
 
1. George R.R. Martin’s fan letter.
Before he was a best selling author, Martin was a teenage fan boy in love with the world of comics. In 1964, he wrote a letter addressed to Stan Lee and Don Heck. In his letter, he praised the latest two issues of The Avengers and Fantastic Four, saying he had “finally come to the decision to have both mounted in bronze and set on a pedestal in the center of my living room.”
 
2. Maurice Sendak’s tasty art!
In 2011, Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are, told NPR that a child once expressed his love for the writer’s work by devouring it. The young boy had sent Sendak a charming card with a little drawing on it, which Maurice adored. In response, he sent a card and drew a picture of a Wild Thing with the words “Dear Jim: I loved your card.” Sendak soon received a letter back from Jim’s mother saying “Jim loved your card so much, he ate it.” 
 
3. Clyde Barrow to Henry Ford
Famous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde’s preferred getaway car was reportedly the Ford’s V-8 powered Model B. In fact, they even died in one, after law officers showered their stolen Ford with more than 130 rounds of steel-jacketed bullets. Clyde wasn’t well practiced in writing, but between heists he took the time to send a letter to Henry Ford, proclaiming ” what a dandy car you make.”

National Compliment Day timeline

1722

"Compliment" redefined

Another definition of “compliment” is added into the English language: “a present or favor bestowed, a complimentary gift.”

1650

"E" vs. "I"

The spelling of the noun “compliment” shifts from “e” to “i” because of the Italian noun “complimento”—it’s defined as: "expression of respect and civility."

1610

Compliments to the French

Compliment with an “i,” derived from the French word “complimenter,” is added to the English language as a verb with the definition: "to pay a compliment to, flatter or gratify by expression of admiration, respect."

1300s

First. Compliment. Ever.

The first version of the word "compliment" was derived from the Latin word “complementum," which was created during this time.

National Compliment Day

40% of compliments accepted
A study found that when women received compliments in general, they only accepted them 40% of the time. However, when women received compliments solely from other women, the number lowered to only accepting them 22% of the time. Researchers conducting this study considered a compliment accepted when it was acknowledged or agreed to with a response such as “Thank you.” However, they found there were three main ways women deflected compliments: with a return compliment (“No, you’re the amazing one!), minimizing their achievements (“It was nothing”), and attributing their success to someone else (“It was really my co-worker who did all the tough work.”)
 
61% say it embarrasses them
So why do most women find it hard to accept compliments? Well, 61% of women say the main reason is embarrassment, followed by not wanting to draw attention to themselves at 55%, feeling uncomfortable at 47%, and 38% thinking the words weren’t meant sincerely. The thing is, many women feel that accepting a compliment makes them look conceited or full of themselves, which puts them in a tight space when they actually want to accept the compliment but aren’t sure how. The next time your friend deflects your compliment with a self deprecating response or a compliment aimed back at you, let them know that accepting your compliment, and them acknowledging something good about themselves, doesn’t make them a bad person.
 
63% accepted by men
Men may like receiving compliments more than women do, with studies showing that men only reject compliments 37% of time time. However, where women are usually complimented on their looks, men are often complimented on their skill. Many men have reported wanting to receive more compliments based on their appearance. But where the largest group that women receive compliments from is other women, most men don’t give other men compliments on their appearance. Though it isn’t common practice to do so, that can always change now. If you have a male friend that you haven’t complimented in a while, tell them something you appreciate about their appearance to raise their self-esteem and show them you’re paying attention to their fashion efforts

National Compliment Day FAQs

What day is National Compliment Day?

National Compliment Day comes around every year on January 24. On this day, take the time to give someone a genuine, pure hearted compliment. It just might make their day!
 

What is the difference between compliment and complement?

A compliment is an expression of praise or admiration. A complement is something that completes or brings to perfection.
 

What makes a good compliment?

A good compliment comes from a genuine source of admiration and recognition. If you really mean what you say, and it’s polite and pure, the compliment you deliver will always be a good one.
 

National Compliment Day Activities

  1. Compliment a stranger

    Complimenting friends and co-workers on National Compliment Day is a given, but step out of your comfort zone and compliment people you don’t even know. Gas station attendants, Starbucks baristas, bank tellers, the grumpy worker at the DMV — everyone's worthy of receiving a compliment!

  2. Spread the good vibes on social media

    Even though an in-person compliment may seem more genuine, what matters is making people feel good about themselves. Be sure to use the hashtag #NationalComplimentDay to reach more of them.

  3. Challenge friends, family and coworkers

    See if you can get friends and family to compliment at least one person. Spreading good cheer is contagious.

5 Of The Best Movie Compliments Ever

  1. "Anchorman"

    Ron Burgundy: “You’re like a miniature Buddha, covered in hair.”

  2. “The Help”

    Aibileen: “You is kind, you is smart, you is important.”

  3. "Elf"

    Buddy: "You have such a pretty face, you should be on a Christmas card!”

  4. “Jerry Maguire”

    Jerry: “You complete me.”

  5. “Christmas Vacation”

    Clark Griswold: “My cousin in-law, whose heart is bigger than his brain, is innocent.”

Why We Love National Compliment Day

  1. It can build confidence

    Receiving a compliment can certainly brighten your day. Having someone notice positive traits can instantly make you stand a littler taller and walk more confidently.

  2. Anyone has the ability to celebrate

    Unlike Christmas, where you’re stressing out about spending money on gifts, compliments are free. Plus, anyone can give a compliment — regardless of what's in your bank account.

  3. Compliments work — in the workplace

    Here's some helpful advice for bosses and supervisors: Compliments are a powerful way to motivate continued employee efforts. Studies show that rewarding a person with either compliments or money activate the same area of the brain. Thus, compliments can increase on-the-job performance.

Let’s get social

Here are some special hashtags for the day.

#NationalComplimentDay #Compliments

National Compliment Day dates
YearDateDay
2020January 24Friday
2021January 24Sunday
2022January 24Monday
2023January 24Tuesday
2024January 24Wednesday