Just recently I’ve been having lunch with a colleague from another department regularly. She’s thin (and I’m so envious of that) and she has fair skin (yes, I’m envious of that, too!) and she talks a lot.

However, I’ve recently realised that she is one of those people who may not be able to compliment others easily. She more often tends to ‘comment’ instead.

For example, a colleague wore a dress to work the other, a change from her usual pants and shirt. Most of us complimented her on the dress, saying it was a very nice colour, something different, etc.

This colleague on the other hand, went “WAH! New dress? Going somewhere? A date?” and not specifically complimenting the dress or the wearer.

I have been given many comments by her, such as:

“What earrings are those?!” when others said they were really nice.

“So dressed up today, aren’t you? Who are you trying to attract? Your boss? HAHAHAHA!” when others said I looked pretty.

I bet she thinks she’s so damn funny, when she doesn’t know that she sounds ridiculous. Especially when she cackles at her own remarks.

There were so many that I have lost track. Not once have I given a retort, despite being sorely tempted as in my head, I go, “Whatever!” as she doesn’t deserve any attention.

She reminds me of me. I hardly give compliments, too, and I’m sure my friends noticed. I was telling my father the other day that I may have picked up this habit from my grandma, who comments much easier than praising any of her grandchildren or anyone at all.

It’s a habit to kick, I must say. I’m sure I’ve hurt someone’s feelings more than once by being so tactless and thinking that my retorts are funny. ;P

I’ve actually made it a habit to praise at least one person a day! Not easy, I tell you, because I naturally am not a sweet talker. One boyfriend once complained he felt I never appreciated him because I rarely complimented him on his thoughtfulness!