Why Do Compliments Make Me Feel Uncomfortable?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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More often than not, our receptivity to compliments is a reflection of our self-esteem and deep feelings of self-worth. Specifically, compliments can make people with low self-esteem feel uncomfortable

because they contradict their own self-views.

Why do I hate receiving compliments?

There are three factors happening here, feeding into one another endlessly to make it hard to accept compliments:

low self-esteem

, cognitive dissonance, and high expectations. It goes like this: you don’t think much of yourself, for whatever reason. … Either way, you have low self-esteem.

Why do I feel embarrassed when praised?

In many ways, the acceptable response to a compliment is embarrassment, and the discomfort you feel might be caused by your

unconscious knowledge

that you’re supposed to feel that way. You might even internalize the belief that the person is being disingenuous, and that can add another level of discomfort.

Do guys like receiving compliments?

Believe it or not, men like hearing compliments. That may sound silly given the number of hyper-masculine stereotypes present in our society. But I’m here to say, just like anyone else,

guys appreciate admiration

. … And because men are bred to not fish for compliments, they aren’t going to encourage them.

What are the signs of low self-esteem?

  • Poor Confidence. People with low self-confidence tend to have low self-esteem and vice versa. …
  • Lack of Control. …
  • Negative Social Comparison. …
  • Problems Asking for What You Need. …
  • Worry and Self-Doubt. …
  • Trouble Accepting Positive Feedback. …
  • Negative Self-Talk. …
  • Fear of Failure.

Are compliments embarrassing?

In a study of more than 400 people that I conducted in Boston a few years ago, nearly 70% of people associated feelings of embarrassment or discomfort with recognition or receiving a compliment. It would be easy to attribute our discomfort with praise to low self-esteem, however, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

Why do I cry when someone compliments me?

If you cry any time someone is nice to you, or shows you love or affection, that sounds like

an issue for a mental health professional

. … Maybe you’re emotional and sensitive about how others feel for you and you end up crying and that’s completely normal.

How do you feel when someone compliments you?


Compliments make us feel good

— both giving and receiving them. … Compliments help us communicate that appreciation we feel toward one another. “I would define a compliment as any sort of sincere appreciation of a trait in someone or a behavior or an appearance,” Berger says. And that makes us feel good.

What compliments do guys like?

  • “I Love The Way You Think” Shutterstock. …
  • “You Always Know Exactly What to Say” Shutterstock. …
  • “You’re an Incredible Father” …
  • “I Love You Just The Way You Are” …
  • “You’re Such A Good Cook!” …
  • “Can You Help Me Fix This?” …
  • “You’re A Great Listener” …
  • “It’s Amazing How Hard You Work”

Do guys like compliments on their smile?

Do guys like compliments on their smile?

Trust us they love it

. Make sure you look him directly in the eye when you compliment him like this. Eye contact will increase the impact of your delivery.

How do you tell a guy he’s cute?

  1. 1 “Good morning, handsome.”
  2. 2 “You’re the hottest guy I’ve ever known.”
  3. 3 “I miss your handsome face.”
  4. 4 “You looked so good today.”
  5. 5 “You look so handsome in that picture!”
  6. 6 “Send me a selfie.”
  7. 7 “We’re a pretty good-looking couple.”

How can you tell if a woman is confident?

  • They know they are not perfect and accept that. None of us are perfect let’s just get that out there right now. …
  • Never compare. …
  • Remains positive. …
  • Knows when to say no. …
  • Has set goals. …
  • She knows her strengths and weaknesses. …
  • Body language. …
  • They don’t envy the success of others.

What is the root cause of low self-esteem?

Causes of low self-esteem


Unhappy childhood where parents

(or other significant people such as teachers) were extremely critical. Poor academic performance in school resulting in a lack of confidence. Ongoing stressful life event such as relationship breakdown or financial trouble.

What mental illness causes low self-esteem?

Whilst low self-esteem does not make up a condition alone, in combination with other symptoms it can point to conditions including (but not limited to)

anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and personality disorders

.

How do you respond when someone compliments you too much?

The direct answer would be “

You don’t need to flatter me

.” For a polite rejoinder you could use “Please, you are too kind. I will be glad to help.” If you wish to be humorous you could say “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

How can I praise a girl?

  1. I love talking/spending time with you.
  2. I feel so comfortable when I’m around you.
  3. Just thinking about you brings a smile to my face.
  4. I can’t/don’t want to imagine my life without you.
Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.