Compliment Day

What the day is

National Compliment Day is observed on January 24. It encourages people to say something kind and sincere to those around them, and its origin is not documented. It lands in late January, when the holiday warmth has worn off and the winter weather is long, which makes it a well-timed prompt.

A compliment costs nothing and takes a few seconds, and yet many people hold back out of shyness or worry that it will sound strange.

Origin and background

Research on compliments points to a consistent surprise. In a set of experiments published in the early 2020s, psychologists found that people underestimate how good a compliment makes the recipient feel, and overestimate how awkward it will be to give. Because of that mismatch, people give fewer compliments than would be ideal, which is why the study's authors encouraged people to speak up.

Not all compliments land equally. A few simple habits help. Be specific, because praise for a particular thing someone did, such as the way they handled a tough meeting, sounds more genuine than a general line. Be sincere, because people notice flattery. Praise effort and choices as well as looks or talent, since those are things a person can feel good about and repeat.

It is also worth paying attention to how a compliment is received. Some people deflect praise, and the best response to a compliment is a simple thank you, whether you are giving or receiving it.

How to take part

• Give three sincere compliments today, to different people, and make at least one of them specific.
• Tell a coworker or a classmate what they do well, and ideally say it to their manager or teacher too.
• Compliment a stranger on something they chose, such as a coat, a dog or a skill.
• Write a short note of praise for someone who rarely gets thanked.
• Accept a compliment with a plain thank you, without brushing it away.