Dish out the compliments for World Compliment Day

Receiving a compliment is always lovely, as it makes us feel appreciated and immediately brightens our day! Did you know there is a day dedicated to just that? World Compliment Day started in The Netherlands in the early 2000s and is now known worldwide. When exactly is compliment day? You can mark the date on your calendar and get your compliments ready for March 1!

Why pay someone a compliment?

A compliment is a way to make the people around you feel appreciated, show them they are valued and make them smile. The benefits of compliments are many! Those who receive them immediately feel a state of well-being. This feeling can be explained by science. When we receive a compliment, specific areas in the brain that influence motivation and concentration are activated and creates a cycle whereby the brain wants to experience that feeling again, therefore being motivated to do better and better. But science aside, a compliment is also a way to strengthen bonds with those in your life and make someone important to you feel special.

Who to compliment?

Everyone deserves a compliment now and then! Perhaps someone at work submitted an interesting project? Compliment them on their commitment and results. Maybe your friend has been there for you during a difficult time? Compliment her and tell her how great she is. There are plenty of opportunities to pay someone a compliment. Just keep the following in mind:

• Be sincere: No one likes to receive insincere compliments!
• Keep it classy: Not everyone enjoys receiving compliments on their physical appearance. If you're not sure how your compliment will be received, focus on something else.
• Don’t be afraid: Giving a compliment may seem scary, but as long as yours is heartfelt, you’ll be ok. If you’re feeling too shy to compliment someone in person, send a card instead.

World Compliment Day vs. National Compliment Day: What is the difference?

It's easy to mix these two up, so let's clear it up straight away.

World Compliment Day falls on March 1 every year. It started in the Netherlands back in the early 2000s, the brainchild of trainer and author Hans Poortvliet, who wanted one day a year fully dedicated to spreading kindness through words. The idea caught on quickly, and it's now celebrated across the globe.

National Compliment Day, on the other hand, is mostly recognised in the United States and lands on January 24. Same spirit, different date, different origin story.

So if you're seeing two different dates, that's why. Both are lovely excuses to make someone's day, whichever one you happen to celebrate.

Quick tip: Not sure which one your friend or colleague follows? You honestly can't go wrong celebrating both. A kind word never goes out of season.

How to give a compliment people will actually remember

Not all compliments land the same way. Some feel warm and genuine. Others feel a bit awkward, or worse, a little forced. Here's how to make sure yours falls into the first category.

Focus on effort, Not just outcome

Instead of only praising the result, mention the work behind it. "You handled that presentation so calmly" lands better than a generic "nice job," because it shows you were actually paying attention.

Be specific

Vague compliments are easy to give and easy to forget. Specific ones stick. Swap "you're so talented" for "the way you explained that to the new starter was so patient and clear."

Keep it sincere

This one matters more than any of the others. No one enjoys receiving a compliment that feels forced or performative. If you don't mean it, it's better left unsaid.

Read the room

Not everyone is comfortable being complimented on their appearance, and that's completely fine. If you're unsure how a compliment will land, focus on their effort, character or achievements instead. It's not only more appropriate and better, but it also means more anyway.

Don’t let shyness stop you

Giving a compliment out loud can feel surprisingly nerve-wracking, especially with someone you don't know well. If speaking up feels like too much, write it down instead. A heartfelt card or note carries just as much weight, sometimes even more, because the person can revisit it whenever they need a lift.

Questions about compliment day

• Is World Compliment Day the same every year? Yes, it's always celebrated on March 1, no matter which day of the week that falls on.
• Do I need a reason to give a compliment on this day? Not at all. The whole point of World Compliment Day is to give compliments freely, without needing a special occasion attached.
• What if I'm not good with words? That's exactly what a card is for. Writing gives you time to find the right words, and the recipient gets something they can keep and reread.

Send a compliment they can keep

A spoken compliment is lovely, but it fades away after a while. A written one sticks around. Sending a card with a heartfelt message means the person you're complimenting can pull it out on a hard day and feel that same warmth all over again.

A personalised greeting card is a simple, thoughtful way to do this, especially if putting feelings into words out loud isn't your strong suit. Add a photo, a favourite memory, or just a few honest lines about why they matter to you.