If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say...

Earlier, I was Googling a phone number for a local Burger King. A few locations popped up and I happened to notice that they all had a few reviews for them. The particular location I needed had 7 reviews. Only one of them said something positive. It was pretty sad to me.

But looking at that, it made me realize that that's the way people are these days (<-- "these days" being my only reference since I'm too young to know what "those days" were like). People are so critical. They offer this negativity under the ruse of being helpful or constructive, or simply to just be mean. An the people who don't take criticism well--oh gosh!--everyone is a hater, and "they just don't understand" and blah blah blah...

Where are the compliments?

As humans, we seek validation, whether or not we have low or high self-esteem. We want people to like us, or what we do or how we look. Understanding that, why is it so hard for us to pay someone a compliment where it's due? Why is it so easy for us (and I say "us" because this is something I'm guilty of as well) to put someone down?

I was stumbling the other day, and came across this list of 30 challenges for 30 days. It shows a bunch of things you can do to become a better you. This list is composed of many things you can do such as "start a conversation with a stranger" or "tell someone one thing you like about them". I think everyone should see and do the things on this list. You, just like everyone else, want to be told something nice and sincere. But you shouldn't have to wait for others to step up to do it first. Pride is the issue here. Push your pride aside and be the reason someone has a good day. Something as simple as "You look pretty today" can go a long way. In making someone smile and feel good about themselves, you can improve your own self-esteem and attitude.

This is a selfish, rude, and impatient world. But of course it's not all bad, and I recognize that. I want to show others that I recognize that. Some of the things that can be done:

• Tell a woman she's pretty-- not what she has on is pretty, but that she, herself, is pretty. Women probably seek the most validation of all. I rarely hear any woman compliment another woman on her beauty unless it's a celebrity and/or the compliment is online. Tell her to her face if you can.
• Thank anyone who offered a service-- gave food, gave a ride somewhere, gave information. None of that is deserved, but the fact that it was given deserves some thanks.
• Hold the door open for someone-- now, I'm not a doorstop, but I don't let the door close on someone who is immediately behind me. That's just rude, especially if they're carrying something.
• Offer to help carry something-- Help take the load off. I'm a tiny person, but I can help carry something if someone needs help. 
• Offer a seat to someone-- I don't even leave it up to males to do that anymore... If a person is obviously tired, elderly, or disabled in some way, I'll stand my able-bodied behind up and offer them my seat.
• Just say hello to someone-- I used to be really bad with this. Coming from California, I didn't have to greet every stranger I saw. But oddly enough, that's how you meet some really nice people :)
• Let someone know they're doing a good job-- As I said earlier, we are so quick to point out a wrong-doing. Telling someone to keep up the good work is one of the best things you can do for someone constantly being berated for some minor details. Call a restaurant or some other place you frequent and let them know you like what they're doing. It really means a lot.