{"id":780,"date":"2021-04-19T20:07:04","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T00:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/?p=780"},"modified":"2022-07-05T14:58:14","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T18:58:14","slug":"fishing-for-compliments-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishing for Compliments: Meaning, Signs, and the 6 Genuine Reasons Why People Do It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve probably seen it happen thousands of times\u2026 a friend, who just had a haircut, complains about her new hairstyle, even though it looks good. And then, there\u2019s your super-smart classmate, who got high marks in the exams but is worried about maintaining his grade point average!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or maybe you\u2019ve done it yourself. You\u2019ve just finished remodeling your bedroom, taken a picture, and posted it on social media with the caption \u201cmy room is a mess\u201d or something like that. Of course, the comments will come pouring in, assuring you that your room looks great.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of these situations feature one common theme &#8211;\u00a0 everyone is fishing for compliments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What exactly does this mean? What are the signs? Why do people fish for compliments? How do we deal with them?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are just some of the things that we will be discussing in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/use-it-or-lose-it-brain-development\/\">Use It or Lose It Brain Development Principle: 9 Important Things You Need to Know<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/group-polarization\/\">What is Group Polarization? Definition and Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/what-causes-deja-reve\/\">What Causes Deja Reve? A Gift for Prophecy or a Glitch in Your Brain?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>Fishing for Compliments Meaning<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-793\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning.png\" alt=\"fishing for compliments meaning\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/english\/compliment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cambridge English Dictionary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> defines \u201ccompliment\u201d as \u201ca remark that expresses approval, admiration, or respect.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, compliments are given freely. When we see something nice, eye-catching, or simply incredible, we usually do not hesitate to give a compliment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, the same reference defines \u201cfishing for compliments\u201d as \u201can act that aims to get people to say good things about someone.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s an idiomatic expression that is often used to describe a person who tries to make others say something nice about them. In this case, the compliment is not given freely; instead, people are somehow \u201cpersuaded\u201d into saying something good about the person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expression can be likened to the act of catching fish. When we go fishing, we use bait to try and lure the fish into biting, so we can catch them. Similarly, someone who fishes for compliments uses \u201cbait\u201d to catch \u2013 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and you guessed it<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 compliments!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expression \u201cdigging for compliments\u201d is sometimes used, although \u201cfishing for compliments\u201d is more common.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Examples of Fishing for Compliments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-796\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments.png\" alt=\"fishing for compliments\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People fish for compliments all the time, almost everywhere, and in different situations. Here are some of the scenarios that you may have encountered once in a while:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>In school.<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your classmate has a new bag and makes it a point to carry it everywhere she goes. Meanwhile, another classmate just got a perfect score on a test and displayed it on his locker for everyone else to see.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>At work. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your co-worker is up for promotion, and she can\u2019t seem to stop talking about it. Meanwhile, your boss just got a new haircut. He constantly checks himself in the mirror and secretly looks around for people who might \u2018appreciate\u2019 his new look.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>\u00a0At home.<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your mom has just made an elaborate cake and served it on the table \u2013 even if there\u2019s no special occasion. Meanwhile, your dad complains that his back hurts after spending hours washing and polishing the family car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>On social media. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A friend posts a picture of a new dress, stating how lucky she was to have bought it on sale. Meanwhile, another friend posts a close-up photo, complaining about how awful his skin looks (when it actually looks great).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In all of these cases, these people could be fishing for compliments. Each one is waiting for others to say something about their looks, new stuff, or accomplishments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So how can we tell if a person is \u201cfishing\u201d? Let\u2019s look for some signs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Signs that a Person is Fishing for Compliments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can you tell if a person is fishing for compliments? Here are some common, tell-tale signs:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. The person often puts himself\/herself down.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-795\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-synonym.png\" alt=\"fishing for compliments synonym\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-synonym.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-synonym-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-synonym-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI look fat! My hair is a mess, and my skin looks terrible,\u201d says the relatively slim girl, who has beautiful hair and almost perfect skin. In response to these statements, the people around would tell her otherwise, assuring her that she looks great.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Putting oneself down is sometimes called \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Negging#:~:text=Negging%20(derived%20from%20the%20verb,need%20of%20the%20manipulator&#039;s%20approval.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">negging<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d which is the practice of saying something negative to elicit positive comments. It\u2019s a classic example of fishing for compliments!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. The person pretends to be insecure or vulnerable.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-792\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-examples-.png\" alt=\"fishing for compliments examples\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-examples-.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-examples--300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-examples--768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quite similar to \u201cnegging,\u201d some people pretend to be more insecure and vulnerable than they really are, just to get noticed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, you might have a classmate who is insecure about his grades, worried that he might not get accepted into the university he wants. In reality, however, he has above-average rates and has been doing well all school year. He was simply fishing for compliments!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. The person rejects your compliments.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-797\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-respond-to-someone-fishing-for-compliments.png\" alt=\"how to respond to someone fishing for compliments\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-respond-to-someone-fishing-for-compliments.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-respond-to-someone-fishing-for-compliments-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-respond-to-someone-fishing-for-compliments-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps you\u2019ve come across a person who has just won a tennis match, and so you congratulate her. Instead of saying \u201cthank you,\u201d however, she brushes your greeting aside and complains that it wasn\u2019t her best performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naturally, you would respond by giving more positive comments. You would then try to convince her that she is an excellent tennis player. Notice that by rejecting your initial compliment, she was able to elicit more compliments from you!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. The person pretends to be ignorant.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s say you have a classmate who is sporting a new look &#8212; a different makeup style, for example. She doesn\u2019t say anything and pretends not to see that other people have noticed. By not saying anything, she gets more attention, and people start commenting on her new look.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0As you can see, when a person puts himself down, rejects your compliments, and pretends to be insecure or ignorant, he is most likely fishing for compliments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>6 Reasons Why People Fish for Compliments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-794\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-psychology.png\" alt=\"fishing for compliments psychology\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-psychology.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-psychology-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-psychology-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So far, we\u2019ve discussed some examples and signs of fishing for compliments. We also talked about the meaning behind fishing for compliments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, let\u2019s try to determine why people do them. Here are some possible reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. They have low self-esteem.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-798\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-fishing-for-compliments.png\" alt=\"how to stop fishing for compliments\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-fishing-for-compliments.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-fishing-for-compliments-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-fishing-for-compliments-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people have low self-esteem, and they need <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/blog\/psychology-self\/2017\/08\/validation-self-esteem#1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">constant \u201cexternal validation.\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The person you might think is arrogant and always fishing for compliments may be suffering from low self-esteem. The person may not realize it, but getting attention and positive comments is probably their way of gaining self-confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. They feel inferior to others.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-783\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/she-is-fishing-for-compliments-meaning.png\" alt=\"she is fishing for compliments meaning\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/she-is-fishing-for-compliments-meaning.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/she-is-fishing-for-compliments-meaning-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/she-is-fishing-for-compliments-meaning-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people have not only low self-esteem but also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/emotional-health\/understanding-inferiority-complex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feel inferior or \u201clower\u201d than others.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They may think that they need to constantly get attention and positive comments to feel accepted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, these people may not be aware that they are fishing for compliments, just to feel that they \u201cbelong.\u201d This situation could happen anytime, anywhere &#8212; in school, in the workplace, or even at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. They need validation from other people.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-784\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments.png\" alt=\"signs someone is fishing for compliments\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned earlier, some people need external validation, mainly due to self-esteem issues. They crave attention and try to get it through their looks, their actions, and even through social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have noticed how some people constantly post selfies and pictures of their private lives on social media, only to become upset when there are a few \u201clikes\u201d or comments. This could be a sign of low self-esteem and the need for external validation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. They are egotistic.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people fish for compliments simply because <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Egotism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they are egotistic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In other words, they are constantly thinking only about themselves and what they want. They also consider themselves to be better and more important than other people. Moreover, egotists like to be noticed and crave attention and compliments almost all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. They like to be admired.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-790\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-specific-when-giving-compliments-.png\" alt=\"be specific when giving compliments\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-specific-when-giving-compliments-.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-specific-when-giving-compliments--300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-specific-when-giving-compliments--768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of getting noticed, some people have a compelling need to be admired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In parties and other social gatherings, they are most likely the center of attention. They thrive on acknowledgment, compliments, and admiration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the world of social media, their main aim is to get as many \u201clikes\u201d and \u201cfollowers\u201d as possible in order to feel good about themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. They are genuinely proud of themselves.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-785\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/stop-fishing-for-compliments.png\" alt=\"stop fishing for compliments\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/stop-fishing-for-compliments.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/stop-fishing-for-compliments-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/stop-fishing-for-compliments-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, some people fish for compliments simply because they are genuinely proud of themselves for accomplishing something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, you may be excited about passing an important exam or getting your driver\u2019s license. You happily share the good news with your friends or post about it on social media. In this case, compliments are truly well-deserved!<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/bubbly-personality\/\">6 Bubbly Personality Traits That Help Convey Cheer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/cognitive-maps\/\">8 Things You Should Know About Cognitive Maps and Navigating the Map of the Mind<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/personal-development-questions\/\">43 Personal Development Questions to Ask Yourself for Growth<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Deal with People Who Constantly Fish for Compliments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-787\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-does-fishing-for-compliments-mean.png\" alt=\"what does fishing for compliments mean\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-does-fishing-for-compliments-mean.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-does-fishing-for-compliments-mean-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-does-fishing-for-compliments-mean-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe you have a classmate, co-worker, or friend who is always fishing for compliments. There are times that you get annoyed by their behavior. So what can you do?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you can do is try and determine the reason behind the person\u2019s behavior and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/whatshesay.com\/5-reasons-you-may-seek-validation-from-others-and-why-you-dont-need-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">why they constantly fish for compliments.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do they have low self-esteem or an inferiority complex?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are they egotistic or narcissistic?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have known the person for a long time, you are bound to notice their personality traits. By now, you should be able to tell whether or not they like to fish for compliments. You should also be able to figure out the reason(s) for their behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you come across a person who is constantly fishing for compliments, your first instinct would probably be to avoid them as much as possible. But before doing anything, try to stick around and get to know the person a little more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After some time, you may realize that the person has self-esteem issues and simply needs encouragement. And if they do, go ahead and give them the necessary support and boost their confidence. When a person is more confident and self-assured, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sproutnodoubt.com\/external-validation-build-self-confidence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they are less likely to go fishing for compliments.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, if you notice that the person is egotistic or narcissistic, then perhaps it is better to withhold your compliments. In some cases, it might be best to avoid them altogether. This is because people with egotistic personalities crave attention, and receiving compliments would only trigger their thirst for more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By not giving them compliments, you can \u201cteach\u201d them how to be less self-centered and be more concerned about other people.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Give Compliments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-786\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/use-body-language.png\" alt=\"use body language\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/use-body-language.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/use-body-language-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/use-body-language-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us suppose that you encounter a person with self-esteem or someone who genuinely deserves compliments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can you express your compliments? Here are some suggestions:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Be sincere.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you give a compliment, make sure that it comes from the heart. A sincere compliment will make the other person feel admired and appreciated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast, an insincere compliment <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/blog\/fulfillment-any-age\/201305\/9-types-compliments-and-why-they-work-or-not\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">would only backfire against you<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making you appear \u201cfake\u201d and untrustworthy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Use body language.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-788\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-to-say-when-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments.png\" alt=\"what to say when someone is fishing for compliments\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-to-say-when-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-to-say-when-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/what-to-say-when-someone-is-fishing-for-compliments-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When expressing a compliment, be sure to accompany your words with body language. A sincere smile, eye contact, and a positive tone of voice can help convey your message more effectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the compliment is being given via text, email, or chat \u2013 go ahead and add some \u201cemoticons\u201d (e.g., thumbs up, smiley face, etc.) to get your message across.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Be specific.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As much as possible, be specific when giving compliments because this will make people feel that that the message is solely for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, instead of just saying, \u201cYou\u2019re a great teacher,\u201d to a coworker, you can add something like: \u201cYou always go out of your way to make sure that every student feels important and accepted.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It sounds much better!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, to a friend, you can say, \u201cI like spending time with you because you\u2019re a great listener and you give good advice. Thank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, being specific with your compliments will truly make the other person feel special.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Acknowledge people\u2019s achievements.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make it a point to recognize and acknowledge a person\u2019s achievements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When children get good grades, praise them. When a colleague receives a much-awaited promotion, congratulate them. Of course, be sure to express your compliments clearly and sincerely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Find out other people\u2019s interests.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-799\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/learn-about-the-other-person.png\" alt=\"learn about the other person\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/learn-about-the-other-person.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/learn-about-the-other-person-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/learn-about-the-other-person-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we meet people for the first time, we tend to notice and compliment the \u201cobvious\u201d things, such as appearance, accomplishments, and so on. Once you get to know them better, you find out other things, like hobbies and interests. Knowing these can help you give specific comments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, if your friend is into gardening, you can comment about how beautiful their garden looks. You can also praise their skills in cultivating different kinds of plants. Giving specific comments such as these can go a long way!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Receive Compliments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, there are times when you are on the receiving end of a compliment. How should you respond?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some positive ways to receive compliments:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Say \u201cthank you.\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-789\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-genuinely-thankful.png\" alt=\"be genuinely thankful\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-genuinely-thankful.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-genuinely-thankful-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/be-genuinely-thankful-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often, a simple \u201cthank you\u201d is enough to express your gratitude. It also serves as a polite gesture and assures the other person that his\/her compliment is well received.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to saying \u201cthank you,\u201d you could also say, \u201cthank you for noticing,\u201d or \u201cI appreciate what you said\u201d when responding to a compliment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Be aware of your body language.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as you should use body language when giving compliments, you should also be aware of it when receiving them. A sincere smile and eye contact can help enhance your response. Avoid looking down or crossing your arms, as this might give the impression that you are not grateful or interested.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Don\u2019t \u201cdownplay\u201d the compliment.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When someone compliments you, avoid \u201cdownplaying,\u201d or worse, \u201cdenying\u201d it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, when a person congratulates you for winning a contest, avoid saying something like, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t that hard\u201d or \u201cIt was nothing.\u201d This will not only make you seem arrogant but also ungrateful for the compliment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Avoid \u201cquestioning\u201d the compliment.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from downplaying a compliment, avoid \u201cquestioning\u201d it as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, when someone praises your cooking skills, try to avoid asking \u201cReally?\u201d or \u201cDo you really think so?\u201d This may make you sound doubtful, or worse \u2013 it may make you appear like you\u2019re fishing for compliments!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Share the compliment.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-782\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/share-the-praise-with-your-group-.png\" alt=\"share the praise with your group\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/share-the-praise-with-your-group-.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/share-the-praise-with-your-group--300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/share-the-praise-with-your-group--768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a compliment applies to you and your team, don\u2019t forget to share the praise!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the workplace, for example, you might receive a positive comment for a group project. Be sure to share this with the whole team, as this will encourage and motivate them, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Return the compliment.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-800\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/return-the-compliment.png\" alt=\"return the compliment\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/return-the-compliment.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/return-the-compliment-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/return-the-compliment-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, it might be appropriate to return a compliment or say something positive about the other person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, if a colleague compliments you on your work ethic, you could also commend their team contributions. Similarly, if friends open up about how much they appreciate your good advice, take time to express your appreciation for them also.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/superhero-pose\/\">The Superhero Pose: Channel A Better Version of Yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/dont-think-too-much\/\">5 Reasons to Stop Extreme Overthinking and Anxiety<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/brain-tips-for-great-success\/\">Great Success: 5 Tips to Train Your Brain for Greatness<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Giving and receiving compliments is part of our everyday lives. Compliments make a person feel admired and appreciated. They also play a critical role in boosting confidence, especially in a person who has low self-esteem and needs assurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, whether you give or receive a compliment, make sure that you are sincere. It is also essential to get to know other people better to notice their interests and personalities. This way, you can develop specific compliments that are truly genuine, encouraging, and expressed from the heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What\u2019s on your mind?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do you think of this article? Care to share your thoughts below?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-802\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning-creativity-mesh-683x1024.png\" alt=\"fishing for compliments meaning creativity mesh\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning-creativity-mesh-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning-creativity-mesh-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning-creativity-mesh-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning-creativity-mesh.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><u>Disclaimer:<\/u><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><em>This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on one of the product links, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Creativity Mesh.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are several ways to boost our self-esteem, but fishing for compliments seems to be the easiest thing to do.<\/p>\n<p>But there&#8217;s more to that than meets the eye. Let&#8217;s look at the reasons people do it, what it says about them, and most importantly how to respond when someone is fishing for a compliment from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[31,12,35],"post_folder":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=780"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1145,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780\/revisions\/1145"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=780"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}