The hell of compliments – and why I gave them up | Anita Chaudhuri

One in five of us is reluctant to make flattering remarks. After an awkward moment with a stranger, I am among them

Had I read the findings of a new survey about people's reluctance to give compliments before last week, I might have despaired of my fellow humans. One in five of us, apparently, fears bestowing compliments, particularly concerning a person's looks, dress sense or work achievements.

What have we come to that we are scared to brighten someone else's day with our admiration? But, like I said, that was before. As in, before the other day when I had the unedifying experience of having a compliment to a stranger backfire on me.

Anita Chaudhuri is a freelance journalist