
You never know what kind of day someone is having.
But when that person – who may have drama at home or trouble in the workplace – hears a compliment, it can be enough to turn their day around.
While many of us have undoubtedly been praised for our looks or how well we performed certain tasks, there are some unique compliments that stay with us forever.
Curious to hear from strangers on the internet, Redditor pokemonjk20 asked:
"What is your favorite compliment you ever received?"

Friends telling us we look good is always appreciated, but hearing compliments from complete strangers can be a major confidence booster.
The Elderly Man
"One time I held the door open for an old guy with an oxygen tube and tank trailing behind him with a nurse and he stopped, looked me in the eyes for a second, and said 'it's women like you who are why I fight not to be worm food'. I was really touched by the compliment and we hugged. It wasn't creepy like it might sound. The guy reminded me of Willy Nelson with long grey braids and a leather vest."
Hitting Their Stride
"As a middle aged white guy walking through Lowe's. An older black guy walked passed me and we exchanged head nods. I was suddenly hit with 'I knew you was cool just cause of the way you walk.'"
Forgivable Pickup Line
"Your a** could set sail to a thousand ships."
"It was a rather crude pickup line, but it worked on me because it is a Helen of Troy reference and I love Greek mythology."
A Sweet Encounter
"I was at a jewelry stand and someone had tapped me on the shoulder, it was an older gentleman and he said , 'I hope I'm not coming off as creepy, but you are the loveliest young lady I've seen all day.' I had smiled and told him thank you, and he simply tipped his head and walked away. To this day it still remains to be one of the best compliments I had ever received."
Teachers often make inspiring impressions on students they will remember for a lifetime.
It also means the world to our educators when they are complimented.
The Grateful Student
"On my last day working at the elementary school I used to work, a kid asked me to sign her yearbook. I grabbed a pen and when I got to her desk she had her yearbook open to the 'About me,' page, and told me to sign in the box that said 'My Hero.' I put every ounce of myself into that job, and I was already struggling to hold myself together that day but that's when I totally lost it."
Parents Explain Why They Regret The Name They Gave Their Child | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
Impressionable Staffer
"I work as a secretary in a high school. One of my students introduced me to his parents as the person who always believed in him."
– MizzGee
Workers engaging with these particular customers wound up having memorable shifts.
Legendary Comment
"I used to bartend at an all female bartender bar. One night a group of guys sitting at the bar were discussing animals that each of us bartenders reminded them of. This was in no way derogatory. We were all having fun and all of us were into it. Anyway, so and so was the lion, so and so was the fox, etc. Then I said, 'My turn! What animal am I?' They told me I was the unicorn. All the other girls were so jealous!:
You've Got Style
"I worked at a video store - one store, not a chain - in the 1990s. I worked with a very cool dude. Very stylish and hip. I walked in one day, and he said 'Nice shirt! it suits you!'"
"It's been an easy 25 years since then, and it's still the most honest and appreciated compliment I've ever received."
Excellent Service
"I am a call center agent, right now I have been told that I am very attentive and that my service was excellent, that my concern for the customer is noticeable."
"I am smiling."
The Good Looking Barista
"I'm a barista at Starbucks, I'm a dude too, another dude came in maybe 25-30 years old. Told me I had nice eyebrows."
"Another woman came in later that day, and apparently was flirting with me but im just as blind as the next guy at picking up signs lmfao."
When those who have low-self esteem are recognized and given appreciation simply for being who they are, it's everything.
Loving Husband
"When my wife and I first started dating, she would always compliment me (still does), and being someone who was single most of their life, and had self esteem issues, every single one meant the world to me. She would just look at me, tell me that I had beautiful eyes, or that I pulled off the outfit I am wearing. To her it was just words, but to me it was going to work that day and not feeling like an ugly piece of sh*t. She'll never know how much she improves my mental health on a daily basis."
The Company You Keep
"im more of an introvert person and an extroverted friend once told me, 'I love your presence even though you dont say much, just having you here is fun."
Priceless Smile
"One time a girl complimented that I have really nice teeth."
"As a teenager I was really self-conscious about my crooked teeth. I was raised by my grandmother, who had a low level job in a company and made like 400 bucks a week. She also worked a weekend retail job to make ends meet. I have no clue how she managed to pay for my braces. But she somehow did (and anything else she could to make me feel like a normal kid)."
"So it was nice to receive that compliment as a boost to my self-confidence and a reminder of the sacrifices my grandmother made in raising me."
– arch_nyc
"Geborgenheit"
"We're German. So my friends and I played a game and one friend had to say one word that they thought of when thinking of every individual person. For me he chose 'Geborgenheit' which is a German word best described (I don't like the actual translations, the don't do it justice) as feeling 100% comfortable around someone/ in their presence. Like that feeling you have when you hug a loved person (like a grandparents' hug, you know?). The comfort and security you feel. It stuck with me because damn I want all my loved ones to feel like that around me."
It doesn't require much effort for a person to say something nice to others.
When you provide positive reinforcement on someone's self-esteem with a compliment, it can also make you feel good.
We could all use some love these days, so when you have an impulse to compliment someone, don't hold back on making that person's day that much brighter.
I think as humans we can't help but make life hard.
There are lessons and signs and ways that show us an easier route, but we have to learn the hard way.
Why is that?
Maybe it's just life.
Learning the hard way makes the lesson more rewarding, or some such nonsense.
I'll take easy from now on please.
Redditor Xpertshinobi334 wanted to hear about the times many of us made life more difficult.
They asked:
"What did you learn the hard way?"
I stay up too late. Every night. It's a bad cycle. It makes the days so hard. You?
Cruel
"Some people will happily use you, and feel no sense of sorrow."
Euphoric_nite
Cray
"Everyone is the hero of their own story, even to the point of being delusional. I learned that the hard way. Sometimes they have a completely fictional narrative in their heads. They may also have no concept of you at all, main character syndrome. Ppl be cray-cray."
MysteryWrecked
It's a mutual thing...
"The difference between liking someone a lot and loving them romantically."
Daidy_Blue
"Personal opinion. It's a mutual thing. Both people in a relationship should want to listen to their partner because inevitably issues will arise and disagreements will occur. If it's only one sided in the sense that compromise can't be made, maybe its not love, only one person liking their spouse more than they like them.""
"At the same time a relationship 1 year in vs a relationship 5 years in is vastly different. I'm sure there are plenty of relationships where one spouse does everything they can to improve without reciprocation. There are always the what if variables which makes the entire idea of relationships a huge mind f**k."
fateless115
You First
"You cannot rely on others for self love... no matter how much you try to argue it.'
Alphablaze98"On a similar note, I always found 'you have to love yourself first' bullsh*t advice but after I fell ill with burnout I did find meaning in it. Although I say 'You have to love yourself first to accept that others can love you.'"
DaPino
"Well I'm screwed because I hate everything about who I am and I do not want others to love me because I know who I am and they deserve better."
753951321654987
How have we survived this long? We're a mess.
SOS
"To ask for help when you start to struggle. Ignoring your problems doesn't make them go away, only increases the long term damage they can do."
ofsquire
Tossed Aside
"You can devote yourself to a job, give it your all, do every extra shift, task and be known for having a good worth ethic. Sacrifice your mental and physical health to make others happy. But the day something happens to you, they will toss you and replace you in a heartbeat."
catsandalcohol13
"It takes 20 years to build a good reputation but only one smirk to ruin it. I was that that good at a job, after 5 years, that I was the one that management got to show all the new hires around. One Monday morning I showed a new girl around and then she went to management and said I made a move on her (I didn't). By Friday I was fired and she was promoted to my job."
Captain_Coco_Koala
They Don't Know
"That my parents are not always right. I know it sounds dumb but seriously I used to think that all I gotta do is follow what my parents want me to do until that got me into the darkest phase of my life it took me 3 years to get my life back together and now I have realized the hard way that even your parents aren't always correct. Their one wrong decision sabotaged me too intensely but things are finally coming back to normal."
Blaze_989
Victims
"Not everyone will own up to their mistakes and will still blame you and manipulate you despite the fact that they're in the wrong."
sashaa-xx
"The funny thing is that some of these people also view themselves as people with integrity. Blows my mind tbh. There’s nothing wrong with admitting your mistakes, doesn’t make you less of a human either."
Ok_Giraffe_1488
No Secrets
"When a guy says they are not interested in a long term relationship, you will not secretly get them to love you and change their mind. Either be ok with a casual thing or move on to someone with similar goals."
ksgar77
Let' s make life a little easier. Just be kind. Especially to yourself.
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Some people like sweets, some people like alcohol, some people are willing to spend extra money a month just to have full access to all 14 seasons of their favorite obscure Canadian detective show.
You don't judge us, we won't judge you.
Reddit was asked:
"What is a guilty pleasure for you ?"
...and ... like ... we honestly feel kind of bonded in non-shame over this stuff.
Because it's all just SO GOOOOOOOOD!
It's Britney ...
"Playing Britney Spears’ music on 11 when I’m in the car all by myself. Especially 'Work Bitch' when I’m on the way to work an extra shift."
-nancydrew1224
"Toxic is an undeniably fantastic song."
-TheBrontosaurus
"It's such a weird mix of elements. Obviously you have Britney's pop singing, but it also mixes harsh strings with synth electro and a lot of rock elements. It blurs several genres together, and accordingly fits well next to other genres of music."
-Nambot
Those Golden Arches
"McDonald’s"
"I regret my choice right after finishing my meal. But not enough to prevent me from going back the next week lol"
-Candidmirror12
"Why did you say the word? I've been clean for three months straight!"
-realfoodman
"Yep."
"I get a craving 2-3 times a year. Same damned order every time. Large #1 value meal with a coke and a cheeseburger."
"I love their little chopped onions"
"Did you know that the Coke syrup formula for McDonald’s is different than what you get at home or other restaurants? It’s actually sweeter per McDonald’s request and specifications"
-mlgbt1985
Can't Run
"The Tremors anthology. Bad B-rated horror but god DAMN do I love me some graboids."
-BolognaIsNotAHat
"The first movie is legitimately excellent. The rest are stupid syfy level movies that are still a ton of fun."
-Taynt42
"The second one is also not terrible. Felt like a well measured escalation. The 3rd one on, though... SMH."
-Hotarg
"You ever have something be so bad that it loops itself back around into being awesome? That's this."
- [Reddit]
Perfect Mood Lifter
"Watching kid shows or disney movies even though I'm an adult."
-BanGinGDreams
"Phineas and Ferb."
"I honestly love to cruise the country side with my biker group, smoke half a pack, get home crack a beer and see what Phineas and Ferb did today."
"I'm a 28 year old man."
-Tiger_In_Maine
"Cartoons are good for the soul. Visually pleasing to watch. Good stories. Usually have some safe humor. Always end on a feel good tone. The perfect mood lifter when you're feeling down."
-GingerJayPear
Go Go Power Rangers
"Power rangers lore."
"I'm 28, can't get myself to sit through the kids shows anymore. But man did I love the series growing up and like keeping up with the new stories and seeing how it's going."
"My significant other would pretty much leave me if she found out how much I'm still addicted to keeping up with a show that I should have dropped 20 years ago."
-PN-DUBS
"Full stop, check out the comics. They were made for people that watched it as children and are adults now and they are honestly nothing short of incredible between the art and storylines. They do some really rad stuff."
-ForSafeKeeping220
Digging
"Picking my nose. I know it’s a bad habit but it’s nostalgic"
-VictoryIsMudkipz
"Kinda same it's not just gross but I also feel like it makes my nostrils bigger so I feel even more guilty 😭"
-getawaycar7H13
"There are two kinds of people in the world. People who pick their nose and liars"
-energy_falcon
Terribly Delicious
"Bad coffee."
"Like you go to a chrome-plated diner by the interstate and the coffee is made of cheap, stale grounds that has been on the hot plate or 3 hours. Something about it is super nostalgic."
-MutantOverlord
"Hell yes. I'll get like 5 refills on that tiny ass cup, tyvm"
-stoncils_
"Just terrible enough to want another cup."
-caseyd1020
Later
"Procrastinating….I hate myself for it"
-Usual-Difference9135
"I was going to comment the same but figured it could wait."
-C0rnD0g1
"I usually have two or three things on the go at once. So when I feel like procrastinating, I switch to one of the other things. My job has become literally me always procrastinating."
-StGir1
T.Swift
"I, on some occasions, belt out Taylor Swift’s 'Our Song' when I’m alone"
-nenolpunk
"I do it too but with 'The Story of Us' "
-SoonlyXo
"Taylor Swift's old songs are the best songs"
-AwesomeSpindleberry
"It’s this or 'Teardrops on My Guitar' because wow. Hit me in my teen feels."
"Who is Drew? I don't know, but I’ll sing about them regardless"
-nenolpunk
Hipster ASMR
"Before I discovered ASMR, I used to secretly watch videos of makeup tutorials because they made me feel relaxed. I'm a guy who's never worn make up in my life."
-SXOSXO
"I'm a man in my 30s. I love the cosplay tutorials from Alyson Tabbitha."
-amadeus2490
"Literally same!!! I watch NikkieTutorials or Naomi Jon! Like I personally don’t wear make up but I love the art behind it"
-patzzxd
So tell us, what's your pleasure? And do you HONESTLY feel guilty about it?
Go ahead and talk about it in the comments, I've got a certain Canadian Detective to check up on.
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Love or money?
An age old question.
Ideally, you wouldn't have to decide between the two.
In a perfect world, you would be able to find the true love of your life and be incredibly wealthy all at once.
But, as the saying goes, you can't have everything.
Though if faced with having to choose between the two, people might have a different idea of what the obvious answer would be.
Redditor lulinghayaw was curious how people would decide when faced with this decision, leading them to ask:
"Genuine, true love or 5 million dollars? Why?"
My love is worth more than that.
"True love because my true love is 5 trillion dollars."- ImOnARush.
Freedom to do what you love.
"I'm gonna be really honest, I'd choose 5 million dollars."
"Having that much money means financial stability."
"It means not having to work for money - that wouldn't mean not working ever again, but doing a job you really love even if it doesn't pay well."
"I would be able to study without worrying about burdening my parents."
"I could achieve my dream of getting multiple degrees."
"Money isn't just money, it's opportunities."
"Without having to worry about money, I could focus on improving myself in every way - getting healthier, studying more, having a stable routine, reading a lot, overall becoming the best version of myself."
"I'll have plenty of time to find true love, improve relationships with friends and family and everything else."- lux_blue.
Money over love any day- no matter the amount.
"5 dollars."- SpaZzzmanian_Devil.
"SHOW ME THE MONEY."- _starvingartist.
How much is true love worth.
"Money."
"Love can't pay my bills."- LiteLit.
Money can't buy happiness.
"True love."
"Moneys cool and all, but I'd much rather be in a loving relationship."- WhiskersCleveland.
But money can buy a lot of other things...
"5 mil, I’ll wipe my tears with hundreds."- Weary_Gate7941.
True love...with a rich partner.
"Genuine true love."
"It didn't say my partner and I would be poor."- moonIightbaby.
"The greatest thing, you'll ever learn..."
"True love."
"I have been alone all my life."
"I’ve always had toxic friends because i told myself i deserved it, i told myself 'at least they want to be friends with me'."
"I have a narcissistic mother and a dad that isn’t emotionally there because of his own trauma."
"I have a sister that flat out ignores me when I talk and my other siblings are too young for me to have the kind of bond that i need right now."
"I have an amazing best friend but it’s different than having someone that loves me and i love back."
"If you had asked me a month ago i would’ve said 5 million."
"I would’ve been lying."
"If you had asked a year ago I would’ve said 5 million and I would’ve been telling the truth. true love is priceless."
"I’ll be winning 4 million on the lottery tho."- 76543210987654321.
Some might say being truly, madly in love feels like having five million dollars.
While others might feel that having five million dollars feels even better than being in love.
Others might simply strive for a little bit of each.
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It's highly believed that it is important to learn history as a means to improve our future.
What is often overlooked is that what is taught in history class is going to be very different depending on where you went to school.
And this isn't just internationally, even different regions of the United states will likely have very different lessons on American history.
This frequently results in our learning fascinating, heartbreaking and horrifying historical facts which our middle or high school history teachers neglected to teach us.
Redditor Acherontia_atropos91 was curious to learn things people either wished they had learned, or believe they should have learned, in their school history class, leading them to ask:
What isn’t taught in history class but should be?
The Irish Troubles
"The troubles."
"Too many people in America do not understand why a wall straight through Ireland would be a BAD idea."
"I’m referring to the Brexit referendum and possible outcomes."
"If people were wondering why we were talking about walls through Ireland in the first place."- CLCVS.
Forgotten elements of World War II
"What the Japanese did to the Chinese during WW2."
"Unit 731."- CaptainMcBoogerJew.
"Japan gets off easy for their war crimes in WW2."
"They killed an estimated 16mil Chinese civilians and another 8mil soldiers"
"Also, Pol Pot."
"Didn't know who he was until I was like 25."
"Worst dictator all time (in terms of percentage of population he decimated)".
The truth about the American Revolution
"That the American Revolution was part of a wider cold war type of conflict with France."
"The American Revolution was basically the UK's equivalent of the US version of Vietnam."- vinsant7.
The Dark side of Swedish history.
"As a Swede, I'd like to know more of all the horrible sh*t my country has done throughout history."
"It's a damn shame we're trying to hide our history."
"For example, Swedes killed a metric sh*t ton of all Polish people when we were at our strongest."
"That's the kinda sh*t we don't get to learn."- mogwandayy.
Colonization
"Basically what Belgium did to the Congo."
"A lot of people are telling me that they are taught about this actually."
"I'm glad to hear it because I wasn't taught about this in the USA during my public school days (1995-2008)."- EconArch.
The truth about "heroes".
"While teaching about historical Heroes they should also tell students about the unspeakable things some of them did."
"Many famous figures throughout history who are pillars of morality actually did many terrible things." - User Deleted
Intolerance for Mental Illness
"The dark history of mental illness treatments."
"I think it's worth learning about."- 7dayexcerpt.
Slavic Mythology
"Slavic mythology in Slavic countries."
"Don't get me wrong, I love both Greek & Roman mythology and as a person from the Balkans both of those cultures are part of my country's history and had great influence over not only my region but the entirety of the continent & the western world but I wouldn't mind knowing more about Slavic mythology as well."- ShorsShezzarine.
The truth about the CIA
"How the CIA was made and all the shady things they did over the years."- ALargeChip.
There is a lot about the history of our world, not to mention our own country which shouldn't be ignored.
And it's from learning from our mistakes that we really improve our future.
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