Why Do I Get So Awkward When People Compliment Me?
The psychology behind compliment awkwardness
Let’s be real — compliments should feel good, right? Someone tells you, “Hey, you did a great job,” and instead of smiling, you’re suddenly shuffling your feet, muttering weird stuff like “Oh, it was nothing” or changing the topic entirely. Sound familiar?
Well, awkwardness after a compliment is way more common than you’d think. And it’s not about being rude or ungrateful — it usually comes down to how we see ourselves and how we were raised to respond.
Low self-esteem and the compliment mismatch
One of the biggest culprits is self-esteem. If deep down you believe you're not that great — even if that’s totally false — a compliment creates a weird tension. It’s like your brain is going, “Wait... I don’t agree with this nice thing they just said.”
So instead of enjoying it, you start questioning the motive, the accuracy, or even whether they’re being sarcastic. Ugh. It’s exhausting.
Cultural or familial upbringing
Oh, and let’s not forget how we were brought up. In some families, especially where humility was drilled in 24/7, accepting a compliment without deflecting it can feel arrogant. You might’ve even heard stuff like, “Don’t let it go to your head.”
(Been there. My aunt used to say, “Modesty first, always.” Took me years to unlearn that.)
How your brain reacts in the moment
Fight or flight... over a compliment?
Yep. For some, a compliment actually triggers mild social anxiety. Your heart might race a little, palms get sweaty, and suddenly you're trying to “escape” the moment — maybe with a joke, maybe with an awkward “You too!” even if it made zero sense.
Your brain’s not trying to ruin the moment, it’s just trying to protect you from perceived social judgment. Even if there’s none.
The spotlight effect is real
There’s this psychological phenomenon called the “spotlight effect” — it’s the idea that you think people are paying more attention to you than they actually are. So when someone compliments you, it can feel like ALL eyes are on you, which just ramps up the awkward.
Trust me, most people forget the interaction two minutes later. You? Probably still thinking about it a week later in the shower.
Tips for handling compliments more comfortably
Okay, so what now? You don’t have to become a praise-obsessed diva overnight. But here’s what helps:
Just say “thank you”
Seriously. Two words. Don’t explain it, don’t deflect it, don’t make it weird. Just say thank you and smile (or nod awkwardly — baby steps).
Practice receiving compliments
It sounds silly, but practicing helps. Say it out loud to yourself:
“Thanks, I really appreciate that.”
Try it in the mirror, in your car, wherever. Build the muscle.
Watch your inner dialogue
Start catching those inner thoughts that reject compliments. Instead of thinking, “Ugh, they’re just being nice,” try “Maybe they actually mean it.” That tiny shift? Huge.
Final thoughts: it’s okay to feel weird
Honestly, getting awkward over compliments doesn’t mean you’re broken or weird — it just means you’re human. And maybe a bit sensitive. Which, by the way, isn’t a bad thing.
You can be gracious and humble. You can accept praise without turning into an egomaniac. And you can work on letting those kind words in — because you probably deserve them way more than you let yourself believe.
So next time someone says something nice? Take a breath. Smile. And own it. You got this.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.