Some of the best compliments a woman can receive are the ones that name stuff that not many people recognize or even bother to mention.
When the room softens
So many people compliment women by telling them they’re good listeners or good helpers. Those compliments are fine, they’re sweet enough. But one that really matters is telling a woman that she makes people feel safe around her.
You’re telling her that people feel comfortable with saying something slightly embarrassing, and that they don’t feel like they’ve got to pretend to be someone else. They can just exist around her, and there’s no better compliment than that.
A door people open
There’s a difference. Being someone it’s easy to be honest with is not the same as being someone who’s easygoing, although some people mix the two up. You can be friendly and still make people feel in danger for telling you the truth.
Women get praised all the time for being kind, but they don’t usually get compliments for being someone it’s easy to be honest with. They don’t get to hear how people feel like they can stop pretending around them. What a shame.
Past the obvious answer
You can tell a woman she’s organized, and you can tell her that she’s thoughtful. They’re perfectly acceptable compliments, it’s just that they’re not very interesting or inventive. But when it comes to good judgment? That’s the kind of praise that matters.
Hearing that you’re able to read a situation and point out the nonsense matters a lot. That’s not to say her judgment is always right because, really, that wouldn’t be realistic. However, being told you have good judgment always feels good.
Before anyone says it
It’s a similar thing with reading the room. Some women are great at noticing little changes and understanding people’s emotions, so they know exactly what to do or say. But they don’t usually get any compliments for it.
It’s not like it’s a particularly easy skill or anything because, yes, reading the room takes some serious skill. Not everybody has that. So why not let a woman know how great she is at doing it?
A better kind of curious
Telling a woman that she’s curious is one thing, but telling her that she asks good questions is another. It takes the focus away from what she’s saying and puts it on how she’s great at paying attention. You’re making it clear that she’s a good listener.
It makes sense, after all, since a good question usually asks about the things that most people skip over. Women like getting thanked for caring, but a compliment about their questions is a lot more specific. That’s why it matters.
Someone actually noticed
Feeling seen is so important, yet it’s not something that everybody is good at. Some women are, though. You know the kind of woman, she’s someone who remembers what other people hate doing, and she makes sure they don’t have to do it.
She notices when a friend goes quiet, and nobody else does. Try telling her that she’s good at making people feel seen because it’ll give a name to the moments that most people treat like background noise.Â
No long runway needed
You shouldn’t need to tell a woman that she doesn’t waste people’s time. Unfortunately, there are so many people who waste people’s time that it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t do that. That’s why you should compliment women on it.
Compliment a woman who gives the details and answers straight away. Compliment a woman who gives the answer directly, no waiting around or anything. When you do compliment her in this way, you’re basically telling her that her clarity really helps.
Lines that stay clean
It’s kind of annoying how some people react to boundaries, especially when it comes to women. They act like a woman’s wrong or mean for having certain standards about how other people behave, and that’s why it’s so important to compliment women for having these standards.
Women get told all the time that they’re supposed to be flexible, that they’re supposed to be forgiving, that they’re supposed to be patient. They hear it a lot. So, complimenting a woman for having high standards really counts because you’re telling her that it’s okay to have boundaries.
Cool hands, clear head
While there are some people who become busy and loud during a crisis, there are a few women who don’t. In fact, they do the exact opposite. They stay calm, and they figure out what they need to do, without losing their heads like everyone else.
It’s why you should compliment a woman on her ability to keep her cool. Telling her that she’s practical in a crisis shows her that you’re noticing her behavior and that you notice how she handles everything.
Straight to the ask
Lots of women are able to ask for what they want directly, but they don’t usually get the praise they deserve for it. No, they get brushed off, and they get told they’re being rude somehow. It’s not fair. So, you should really try to compliment a woman who’s able to be direct.
You should let her know that, yes, it’s completely fine and completely normal for her to be direct about her needs. Let her know that you’re not judging her for being clear. She’ll almost definitely appreciate it.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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