As a computer geek who likes to bake, I often make desserts for office birthdays and such. Best compliment I ever got was from my very Italian boss, who tasted my tiramisu, stared at me for an minute, and said, “I just want to bathe in this.”
my best friend of fifteen years once called me “the most specific person I’ve ever known” and I want them to put it on my tombstone someday
also, one time in chicago an old man with a moustache and I want to say a tweed flat cap zoomed past me on the street in his motorized wheelchair, made eye contact, and declared “how DARE you be so pretty”
A little corporate :) , but a compliment that really warmed my heart was "You are the person everyone wants to have in their meeting/presentation". I'm a big smiler/laugher/nodder-alonger, so it makes me happy when others pick up on my wacky audience energy.
a very cranky contrarian once told me "you meet people where they're at" (meaning emotionally, not location) which I'm still riding the high off of, almost a year later.
I have a compliment for you, Josh, which is that I loved your Saucony shoes you tweeted about so much that I found a pair on eBay in my size and now own them. Thank you and sorry for plagiarizing your style (but we live in totally different cities so no one has to know).
When I was a historian-in-training, one of my teaching evaluations comprised the single word "badass." As a 5'1" history nerd who has never in my life been considered either cool or intimidating, this was the most delighted I have ever been by a teaching eval.
Best compliment I have ever given: I told one of my bffs that she is "the Serena Williams of friendship." I've never seen her so flattered before.
I love reading your newsletters, Josh. It’s a reminder that there are people like you out here squeezing the most out of life. I aspire to be more like you in this way. And in other ways. But we’ll talk about that another time. I just love how reflective you are each week. It makes me feel good. Also, as many times as I’ve heard “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” I’ve never seen the music video. It’s adorable!
I’m from Minnesota — the StPaul/Mpls part, not the weird “Nort of d’cities” part — and there are some very strange salads there that ain’t salads but we’re not gonna not call them salads. Throw in a bit of the ’70s and “salad” pretty much means anything you can make with Jell-O. In some parts of Minnesota, they have not moved on from Jell-O ... (do you read Emily Nunn’s substack The Department of Salad? She might be interested in your “salad journey” of rural Minnesota.... )
Best compliment (from a complicated person): “You smell like emotion and dessert”
Side-eyed respect for the timing of the bouncer who halted me and asked for my ID in the same breath as he turned to my cousin - one hand on her wallet - looked her in the eye and said: “No; not you.”
I was late 30’s and momentarily flattered;
she slightly older and perpetually (deservedly) salty at this.
I love the "What's your favorite compliment" prompt in this newsletter so much! My favorite compliment, I think, was this: "Your best is THE best." I'm even blushing right now as I think about it.
My (single, male, gay) friend once told someone I am a good mom because my kids are "so well-behaved and well-adjusted but also not browbeaten into it" and it was particularly nice to be recognized by someone who's not a mom.
My favorite compliment is “for someone so intelligent you are also remarkably kind.” I was going through a stressful time and this was such a memorable way to say that I’m both smart and kind. I felt understood.
"the background singer who just says 'DANCE' in a declarative but encouraging way in 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody'" is high on the list of historic jobs i would like to have had
My I add to your faithful audience that a qualifying question for a wedding DJ should be if they have Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" in their catalog. I'm not saying that anyone should or shouldn't be required to play that at a wedding (to each their own) but if a DJ isn't already aware of the properties of this song to get everyone to dance at a wedding, I'd be very suspect of their skills.
As a computer geek who likes to bake, I often make desserts for office birthdays and such. Best compliment I ever got was from my very Italian boss, who tasted my tiramisu, stared at me for an minute, and said, “I just want to bathe in this.”
Increidble compliment!
my best friend of fifteen years once called me “the most specific person I’ve ever known” and I want them to put it on my tombstone someday
also, one time in chicago an old man with a moustache and I want to say a tweed flat cap zoomed past me on the street in his motorized wheelchair, made eye contact, and declared “how DARE you be so pretty”
I love these!
A little corporate :) , but a compliment that really warmed my heart was "You are the person everyone wants to have in their meeting/presentation". I'm a big smiler/laugher/nodder-alonger, so it makes me happy when others pick up on my wacky audience energy.
HUGE compliment!
a very cranky contrarian once told me "you meet people where they're at" (meaning emotionally, not location) which I'm still riding the high off of, almost a year later.
What a nice way to have broken through this person's tough exterior!
I have a compliment for you, Josh, which is that I loved your Saucony shoes you tweeted about so much that I found a pair on eBay in my size and now own them. Thank you and sorry for plagiarizing your style (but we live in totally different cities so no one has to know).
Whoa thank you!! Wear them in good health!
When I was a historian-in-training, one of my teaching evaluations comprised the single word "badass." As a 5'1" history nerd who has never in my life been considered either cool or intimidating, this was the most delighted I have ever been by a teaching eval.
Best compliment I have ever given: I told one of my bffs that she is "the Serena Williams of friendship." I've never seen her so flattered before.
Both wonderful!!!
I love reading your newsletters, Josh. It’s a reminder that there are people like you out here squeezing the most out of life. I aspire to be more like you in this way. And in other ways. But we’ll talk about that another time. I just love how reflective you are each week. It makes me feel good. Also, as many times as I’ve heard “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” I’ve never seen the music video. It’s adorable!
This is so kind! Thank you! You are the best, and I admire you and am always trying to be like you for real!
I’m from Minnesota — the StPaul/Mpls part, not the weird “Nort of d’cities” part — and there are some very strange salads there that ain’t salads but we’re not gonna not call them salads. Throw in a bit of the ’70s and “salad” pretty much means anything you can make with Jell-O. In some parts of Minnesota, they have not moved on from Jell-O ... (do you read Emily Nunn’s substack The Department of Salad? She might be interested in your “salad journey” of rural Minnesota.... )
Hahaha they weren't THAT weird, just like...interestingly composed! Too much dressing on one by far.
Following a deeply heartfelt complement with “okay, that’s it” is peak gym teacher and I love it.
Truly!
Best compliment (from a complicated person): “You smell like emotion and dessert”
Side-eyed respect for the timing of the bouncer who halted me and asked for my ID in the same breath as he turned to my cousin - one hand on her wallet - looked her in the eye and said: “No; not you.”
I was late 30’s and momentarily flattered;
she slightly older and perpetually (deservedly) salty at this.
Hahahah!
I love the "What's your favorite compliment" prompt in this newsletter so much! My favorite compliment, I think, was this: "Your best is THE best." I'm even blushing right now as I think about it.
Such good stuff!!!
I once got out of my car, turned around and a man nearby complimented me on my reverse park in a tight spot.
Hell yeah.
My (single, male, gay) friend once told someone I am a good mom because my kids are "so well-behaved and well-adjusted but also not browbeaten into it" and it was particularly nice to be recognized by someone who's not a mom.
Hahah amazing!
My favorite compliment is “for someone so intelligent you are also remarkably kind.” I was going through a stressful time and this was such a memorable way to say that I’m both smart and kind. I felt understood.
That's really sweet!
"the background singer who just says 'DANCE' in a declarative but encouraging way in 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody'" is high on the list of historic jobs i would like to have had
What a credit! You'd never have to pay for a drink in your life, I bet!
My I add to your faithful audience that a qualifying question for a wedding DJ should be if they have Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" in their catalog. I'm not saying that anyone should or shouldn't be required to play that at a wedding (to each their own) but if a DJ isn't already aware of the properties of this song to get everyone to dance at a wedding, I'd be very suspect of their skills.