I love these. My brain excels at identifying and amplifying the things I'm bad at, so I appreciate a prompt to recall things other people have told me I'm good at.
Work related:
Two (!!) different amazing staff members told me, separately, after they left for unrelated reasons, that I was the best boss they'd ever had and they would work for me again in a heartbeat.
Strangely specific: Right after giving birth (first and only time), the midwife told me I was "great at this." ...thanks? Maybe they say that to everyone though. Honestly, we all deserve to be told that after giving birth.
Compliment coming from kids: At the end of a teen retreat that I help run for my small nonprofit, the teens voted me "best earrings." If a group of teen girls and NB kids compliments any aspect of your style, you know you're winning.
Compliment from my own kid: "You're my favorite mama. I only have one mama, but if I had another one you'd still be my favorite."
A motherly looking woman at grocery checkout was decked out in her Easter finery but her face belied a world of worry. I wheeled 👩🏼🦽up to her, put my hand on her arm and said “Ma’am you have won Easter this year, dressed so fine and looking so pretty!” The other people in line applauded her and she left the store smiling.
Re: Pupper. Please enjoy spoon feeding her while you can. The day is coming when you will look back and be glad you did.
Once one of my good friends told me that I helped her learn how to feel comfortable in her own skin and I will never forget that.
The hairstylist who had a trans kid come out to her made me cry. I used to be a hairstylist, and when I retired, a non-binary client said they were so grateful for how gender-affirming our appointments were and that I made them feel hot. :,)
Also, the trombone! I went to a jazz show recently and told my partner as we were leaving that I decided that my favorite horn was the trumpet because the sax sounds like it takes itself too seriously and the trombone doesn't take itself seriously enough.
(A girl I went to high school with called me the funniest person she knew, and I’ve carried that compliment with me for two decades. It’s the life preserver that has kept my career afloat.)
I was in a car with a group of comedians who were riffing on something rapid fire and I piped up with a contribution. The car got quiet and the driver simply said “oh that’s really good.”
My boss, who was a 60-year-old dad type of guy, asked me if I wanted kids (which you’re probably not supposed to do but whatever). When I said yes, he smiled and said, “That’s good. Someone deserves to have you for a mom.”
The compliment I carry with me is from a friend who told me that I could have a good conversation with anyone. As someone who feels perpetually awkward, this really buoyed me up!
After getting to know me, an owner of a restaurant in Tokyo, said I should marry a Japanese woman. This was a major compliment. The closest I got was to marry a woman from Hawaii who is 3rd generation Japanese American. We've been together for 40 years.
I'm late to the party but this compliment is so bizarre I have to share it here... A dental hygienist told me a few years ago (in awe) that I had the most active salivary glands they'd ever seen 😂
A famous playwright once complimented the stage directions in my script, which I've been living off since 2018.
Other than that, I feel like the best I've done is being complimented on my ability to get shit done under pressure, but all that's resulted in is more pressure to work under.
I worked at my sleep away camp for 7 years and about halfway through a camper was impressed I knew her name because I was a "famous counselor" - that's when I knew I made it
I love these. My brain excels at identifying and amplifying the things I'm bad at, so I appreciate a prompt to recall things other people have told me I'm good at.
Work related:
Two (!!) different amazing staff members told me, separately, after they left for unrelated reasons, that I was the best boss they'd ever had and they would work for me again in a heartbeat.
Strangely specific: Right after giving birth (first and only time), the midwife told me I was "great at this." ...thanks? Maybe they say that to everyone though. Honestly, we all deserve to be told that after giving birth.
Compliment coming from kids: At the end of a teen retreat that I help run for my small nonprofit, the teens voted me "best earrings." If a group of teen girls and NB kids compliments any aspect of your style, you know you're winning.
Compliment from my own kid: "You're my favorite mama. I only have one mama, but if I had another one you'd still be my favorite."
All so great!!
These were great compliments. Thanks for being a great compliment-compiler
Thank you! :)
When I froze my eggs, the doctor told me I had a "beautiful uterus"
Wow!!
Compliment given by me, Easter Sunday.
A motherly looking woman at grocery checkout was decked out in her Easter finery but her face belied a world of worry. I wheeled 👩🏼🦽up to her, put my hand on her arm and said “Ma’am you have won Easter this year, dressed so fine and looking so pretty!” The other people in line applauded her and she left the store smiling.
Re: Pupper. Please enjoy spoon feeding her while you can. The day is coming when you will look back and be glad you did.
What a delight to read all of these! Thank you!
Once one of my good friends told me that I helped her learn how to feel comfortable in her own skin and I will never forget that.
The hairstylist who had a trans kid come out to her made me cry. I used to be a hairstylist, and when I retired, a non-binary client said they were so grateful for how gender-affirming our appointments were and that I made them feel hot. :,)
Also, the trombone! I went to a jazz show recently and told my partner as we were leaving that I decided that my favorite horn was the trumpet because the sax sounds like it takes itself too seriously and the trombone doesn't take itself seriously enough.
!!!!
You are always a delight to spend time with and you are a super doggie dad!
Thank you, Susan! It was very nice to see you last weekend! <3
Thanks for the share, Josh! Great post this week.
(A girl I went to high school with called me the funniest person she knew, and I’ve carried that compliment with me for two decades. It’s the life preserver that has kept my career afloat.)
Aww yeah!
I was in a car with a group of comedians who were riffing on something rapid fire and I piped up with a contribution. The car got quiet and the driver simply said “oh that’s really good.”
Got 'em!
My boss, who was a 60-year-old dad type of guy, asked me if I wanted kids (which you’re probably not supposed to do but whatever). When I said yes, he smiled and said, “That’s good. Someone deserves to have you for a mom.”
Wow!
The compliment I carry with me is from a friend who told me that I could have a good conversation with anyone. As someone who feels perpetually awkward, this really buoyed me up!
Whoa that's lovely!
The best laugh I’ve had all week was upon reading ‘but I am absolutely not going to google “dead guy cock ring mother” to find out’ — thank you!
Hahaha thank YOU!
After getting to know me, an owner of a restaurant in Tokyo, said I should marry a Japanese woman. This was a major compliment. The closest I got was to marry a woman from Hawaii who is 3rd generation Japanese American. We've been together for 40 years.
dear josh,
this is delightful! so many wonderful compliments!
one of my faves: "My 5 yr old nephew once told me 'you’re not a real adult'' and that’s the highest compliment I’ve ever received"
thank you for curating and sharing!
you're the best!
love
myq
Thank you, Myq!!
I'm late to the party but this compliment is so bizarre I have to share it here... A dental hygienist told me a few years ago (in awe) that I had the most active salivary glands they'd ever seen 😂
Hahaha WOW!
A famous playwright once complimented the stage directions in my script, which I've been living off since 2018.
Other than that, I feel like the best I've done is being complimented on my ability to get shit done under pressure, but all that's resulted in is more pressure to work under.
So cool!
I worked at my sleep away camp for 7 years and about halfway through a camper was impressed I knew her name because I was a "famous counselor" - that's when I knew I made it
HUGE compliment!