Thursday, November 15, 2007

64: Niceties

Of all the items on my list, the one I have having the most trouble with thus far is saying something nice to someone else daily. What does that say about me? Am I mean person?

On that note, though, what does it really mean to "say one nice thing" to someone? Is it only paying someone a compliment, or is it broader than that? If the latter, what does it encompass? I'm a little horrified to admit that I don't know.

3 comments:

Sara said...

I know I'm usually thinking more nice things than I'm saying, so when I feel like I need to spread some love to the world I just try to spit them out more often. A nice thank you to someone who really deserves it, a compliment on someone's pretty purse, etc. I love to get these nice words from strangers but most times I feel too shy to say them myself.

Lollipop Goldstein said...

I think it's also so subjective. I mean, I say things without a specific intention behind them, but how people take my words is up to them. I can say the nicest thing, and the person can hear it as sarcastic. Or I can say the smallest comment and have it make someone's day. You know?

K @ ourboxofrain said...

Sara: I have been attempting to really dole out the compliments this week but I was worried about it seeming forced (I tend to be a frequent complimenter as it is, but mainly about stuff). Of course, I also tend to see the same people repeatedly throughout the week (note to self: get out more to places other than the office).

Mel: Definitely true regarding so much being an issue of interpretation. I worry that as one with sarcastic tendencies, my niceties are just lumped in and heard the same way.

The more I think about it, the more I worry that I actually am a somewhat cold person, more likely to compliment a pair of shoes than say something truly nice about someone. Ugh. I guess this is a kick in the pants to change that.