Today’s topic is a bit sensitive, as compliments might not be very welcome in some situations for Europeans especially when it is correlated to some taboos.
This article will try to demonstrate the best way to share a compliment with Europeans, giving you some useful strategies to use when trying to compliment someone in Europe.
It will also share with you what do you have to avoid when you share compliments. So, without further talking, let’s jump in, and don’t forget to bring your cup of chocolate.
Europe, western versus eastern countries:
Reacting to compliments in the European western and eastern countries may differ a bit. While in western countries people admire almost anything:
- House, car, accessories, clothes, haircuts, cats, dogs, etc. literally anything.
People in western countries may have a whole conversation on a haircut, asking about the location of the salon, the services, also it may include the origin of the owner. xoxo
However, in eastern countries, people are a bit different. This can be seen when they receive compliments.
Complimenting in eastern countries is very direct, and the reply is very brief and short. Usually, the answer may contain only ONE word.
For example: if you ask about the haircut, and show some excitement, saying wow you have a nice haircut. The likely answer is THANK YOU then the conversation is finished.
Complementing belongings and never mentioning the price:
![](https://nappot.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pexels-photo-3767345-1024x682.jpeg)
Imagine that you are meeting someone, and for some reason, you have loved her watch or jewelry.
The normal thing that you will be doing is to share your excitement with them, believing that this will bring joy to them.
You might be right somehow, and this can only be applied if you know how to share these feelings.
Let’s imagine that one of your colleagues is wearing a nice necklace, you might compliment her, and share some sweet words,
For example: wow this necklace is beautiful. It is shining on your neck. So far so good, the compliment is good and the one receiving the words is feeling flattered.
However, to keep this energy up, and to not create an uncomfortable feeling for her, you should not ask about the price.
If you’re interested to purchase a unique piece like hers. Your question about the price should be indirect. you may just ask her about the jewelry shop that she got it from.
Expressing how hard you have been looking for a unique shop, and you are happy that you finally found it.
Compliment strategies:
1. Scale down agreement:
There are definitely some strategies to apply when receiving compliments, however, the most common and known strategy is the scale-down agreement.
This strategy is based on trying to scale the compliment down, in a way that pictures how humble you are.
Example:
- A: Wow Elena you’ve lost a lot of weight lately.
- Elena: Yeah, an ounce and a half.
2. Reassign strategy:
This Strategy is based on giving merit to a third party, which is considered a way of showing how confident you are.
Psychology research has shared that people with high self-confidence always refer to others as a source of their success,
3. Return strategy:
![](https://nappot.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pexels-photo-5911152-1024x682.jpeg)
This is a very basic and simple way of sharing back the compliment, ladies love to follow this strategy, especially with their partners.
Women always try to compliment their partners, EXPECTING a return compliment. So, this message is for all partners,
When a female says something good about you. You should understand the message and act smartly according to. All you need to do is to share a better compliment in return.
And if she has shared this article with you, this is a clear sign saying: I need you to PRAISE ME MORE, and to buy me a bar of chocolate. xoxo
Thank you for reading this article if you like it, you may want to read: 5-taboos-to-avoid-in-europe
Picture source: pexels.com