Patronizing?

You tell me girl!

I accept all favorable opinions directed at me as compliments, even though deep down I suspect they are merely flattery.

I seldom compliment others, because I fear they will suspect I am merely practicing flattery myself.

I am unfamiliar with sincere observations, but they sound nice.

Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it.

I work in PR, so throwing around compliments is part of the job. I never lie, though perhaps I overdo the praise from time to time. Can't say many people mind!

Husker, I can't tell you, 'cause you must tell me. That's the point of this thread.

Ah, Craven, my young friend. Don't equivocate, leave that to the politicians.

Greyfan, Accept it; dissect it; then decide.

Someone once told me that trust was the most important aspect of a relationship. That is true, I think, but regardless, we must ultimately decide who is true and who is not, and learn to know the difference.

As a matter of record, wasn't it Humphrey Bogart that observed:

I never trust a man who doesn't drink.

Hey, D'art, you darlin' thing. As in advertising, we make ourselves believe what the sponsor believes. I did PR for a bank once.

Believe me when I say, I liked the VP, but despised the job.

Indeed, Letty. And may I say, you're looking particularly lovely today!

and, d'art, might I say that I was always a sucker for a man in tights, except, of course, football players.

love ya, mean it.

Look in my eyes and you can see my soul

Ah, a P.R./Adv. gathering! My kinda folks. Move over, I wanna seat, too.

Good P.R. is simply the art of presenting things in the most flattering way.

And I don't find flattery to be patronizing unless it's untrue.

One shouldn't overdo it and gush around generally, but people do really like, even thrive, on being appreciated.

I know myself that one nice sentence in a week can fine tune my grouch routine into a fair state of well-being. One nice sentence that rings true, that is.

Blimey. I really like to say anything positive that I think/feel about another person.

It is true, if I say it, so I don't think it patronizing.

I like to tell their bosses, too - ie if someone has given great service, or, at work, if a client/another agency has commented favourably on another person's work, I tell them, and their "boss" too, when I get the chance.

I am no Pollyanna, or anything (like you didn't know that!) - but there is enough negative crap around without missing chances for genuine positives.

Letty - I don't get this:

"Men seem to be especially vulnerable, but women seem vulnerable, too."

I have no ear for music and can't identify national or regional accents, but I have no trouble hearing insincerity, resentment and supressed contempt. I take a particular glee in allowing the speaker to think I am bamboozled--and let them hang themselves.

Have you ever noticed that detecting lies (and fibs and fulsome flattery) is easier to do on the telephone when you are not distracted by visual cues.

Also, most people when they are shading the truth use a higher voice than their "normal speech".

Good morning, all.

Deb, that was a little vague. It seems that it is difficult for men to accept compliments, although I know some women who would rather have you say something in a candid manner, tempered with true concern, than just empty flattery. When I read the poetry that appears on this site, I really try to critique it with honest observations.

Hey, dys. There is not one person on this site, that doesn't love you, and I mean that!

Noddy, I am not one bit surprised that you can cut through the crap. I have seen that discerning side of you for a while now, my friend.

Eva, good PR is a job, and you are right. It takes a heap of talent to do that job, and have it appeal to all concerned.

Husker, not only the eyes, but the hands are a dead giveaway. <smile>

I am perfectly comfortable with a sincere compliment, but excessive, gushy flattery drives me up a wall.

I have a neighbor, who makes it her business to compliment me every time that she sees me. Ad nauseum. She is so "over the top", that I cringe evey time that I run into her. There have been numerous times that I wanted to tell her to "cut the crap", but so far, I have held my tongue.

Hey, Phoenix. I know that feeling. What do you suppose is in her mind? Do you have something that she wants?

Aha! Phoenix, she probably thinks your self esteem needs a boost. How rude!

Letty- I think that this gal is extremely histrionic, and really believes that she is doing the right thing. I also think that she is the type (and I have reason to believe this) who examines EVERYTHING very carefully. If she weren't so annoying, she would be pitiful!