Andrew / November 16, 2006 11:10 PM

Question complements of Patrick.

printdude / November 17, 2006 8:04 AM

"You have been the prefecvt partner."
By none other than my wife

printdude / November 17, 2006 8:05 AM

Apparently, I'm not the perfect speller.

lisa / November 17, 2006 8:21 AM

he said: oh my god. you totally look like shannyn sossamon.
i said: that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.

p.s. shannyn sossamon is my favorite person.

holden / November 17, 2006 8:38 AM

[shannyn sossamon is incredibly and uniquely gorgeous]

1. "you don't judge people" - told to me by a friend in college. it made me feel good & i could tell she appreciated it as well.

2. "you've been a good influence" - told to me by my mom, in regards to my younger brother. Made me very happy since our dad wasn't around much.

3. "you're a good role model" - from my boss at the YMCA.

Oketo! / November 17, 2006 8:52 AM

Whenever something bad happens to you, you always land on your feet.

Oketo! / November 17, 2006 8:53 AM

But a more recent one, "You made me passionate about life again."

anon / November 17, 2006 8:53 AM

"You are a perfect gentleman."

michelle / November 17, 2006 9:06 AM

"Why wouldn't you want Miss F as your teacher? She's the best ever!" See? Teenagers do have their moments.

Marilyn / November 17, 2006 9:22 AM

About my review of Audrey Rose, from an excellent English writer hitherto unknown to me: "A fantastic and perceptive review that really does capture how Wise managed to give it sense of visual realism to balance out an often very silly storyline."

From an Indian about my review of Shadow Kill, directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan: "Marylin (sp), I must admit that I was a bit surprised to see your apparent understanding of the nuances of a subculture that one would expect from a native writer on Adoor's films. Thanks for the review. This is one movie of his that I haven't seen yet. Cheers."

From my mother: "God bless you."

jgs / November 17, 2006 9:26 AM

you clean up nice.

mike / November 17, 2006 9:28 AM

"You complement me."

kiki / November 17, 2006 9:31 AM

"i am a truer, more compassionate person because of you."

Kenzo / November 17, 2006 9:41 AM

The best compliment I keep receiving is, "You are SUCH a GREAT guy."

Typically, this comes from women in the midst of breaking up with me.

Kenzo / November 17, 2006 9:42 AM

Re: "Why wouldn't you want Miss F as your teacher? She's the best ever!"

I agree!

joshua / November 17, 2006 9:45 AM

you're nice to people that most people aren't nice to.

from my 3rd grade teacher. i'd like to think i've continued to be.

JollyJess / November 17, 2006 9:48 AM

From a note " Thanks for being you. I love lovin you" - from my wonderful husband.

sky / November 17, 2006 10:02 AM

Everyone is drawn to you. You have the ability to make any person comfortable.
**whereas this is an amazing compliment, it has it's downside...i can not be mean to people and end up talking to painful people all the time. I think I give off a scent that draws weirdos to me. I could be at a party with 499 random good people and the one guy that is Debbie Downer's long lost cousin will seek me out and talk to me for at least an hour.

Felix / November 17, 2006 10:27 AM

"Go fuck yourself."

Subtle, to be sure, but its simplicity and directness allows it to be taken as the ultimate compliment.

Runners-up:
"You're so gay." (I wish!)
"Your mama wears combat boots." (Oh, mother, you were ahead of the times.)

Bill V / November 17, 2006 10:37 AM

"Best Legs" as voted by my classmates in High School. What the heck were they thinking? (I did not attend a drug-free shcool)

Blagg the Axman / November 17, 2006 10:40 AM

Standing over a goblin agent of the Dark Lord Kayne as he lay gory and dying after an all-too-brief battle, the hateful swine gestured for me to stoop and hear his last words. Despite the lackluster combat, I was in a magnanimous mood and humored him.

“Don’t you see, Axman?” he rasped, blood oozing from his mouth and ears. “For every one of us you strike down… two more will rise up… you’ll never defeat Lord Kayne… but your pathetic loyalty to old Mandrake won’t let you stop until you’re dead. You’re a fool, Blagg…”

With that, he died. The rest of that day I wore a grim smile.

Anne / November 17, 2006 10:49 AM

"I can tell that you have the spirit of Jesus Christ in you, and also you're very pretty." --from a guy at the food pantry where I volunteer

Shasta MacNasty / November 17, 2006 10:49 AM

I had been growing out the relaxer in my hair and finally went to the salon to get it all chopped off. When it was done, I had a pretty glorious afro. I was still kinda uncomfortable with it walking out of the salon. I hadn't seen my natural hair in ages.

I stopped by the Whole Foods and was standing outside when I saw this guy walking towards me, then turn to cross the street. Next then I know, he crosses back, walks up to me and says, "I just have to tell you, I love your hair."

The only response I could manage was a sheepish grin, but a very sincere "thanks."

I thought that was so fantastic, that this completely random stranger paid me a compliment when I really needed it. That was about four years ago and I still think about it when I'm not loving my hair so much. :)

p / November 17, 2006 11:22 AM

Oh. My. God.

B / November 17, 2006 12:01 PM

"Yes."

Lori / November 17, 2006 12:24 PM

"you are doing a great job with those kids", from my Grandpa a few months before he died.

JB / November 17, 2006 12:29 PM

"You make me feel like a little kid and a full grown man all at the same time."

Anonymous / November 17, 2006 1:44 PM

Both come from my wife, and on an occasional basis.

"...that's because you're one of the good guys."

"Ow! slow down. It feels a little too big."

unmake / November 17, 2006 1:58 PM

"Your brain is like a sponge."

annie / November 17, 2006 2:01 PM

Sky...I know exactly how you feel. The boyfriend often tells me that I light up the room and that people are drawn to me. I also like "you're so funny" and in h.s. I received the best story teller award, which was a compliment considering I graduated with 500 people.

steve_sleeve / November 17, 2006 3:12 PM

"nice balls."

Brandy / November 17, 2006 3:37 PM

1. When my singing teacher told me my singing voice was a cross between Doris Day and Julie London. (!!!)

2. Anytime a friend says, "I can be silly when I'm with you." I love that people feel comfortable in that way.

3. Anytime someone takes time to email me about my site and tells me I've inspired them. That rocks.

Brandy / November 17, 2006 3:54 PM

Oh, and,
4. A college classmate was talking a art history professor that I really, really admired. I had helped her talk through a project and the prof said, "Brandy's got a good head on her shoulders."

Brandy / November 17, 2006 3:55 PM

p.s. Thanks Patrick! I like how inherently positive this Fuel question is!

jennifer / November 17, 2006 3:59 PM

'you look really cute.' -my bf at mile 11 of this year's marathon (which was much harder for me this year than year's past.)

cute was the last thing on my mind that day...staying warm, getting enough calories in my body, making it to the end....those were my concerns. but it was super sweet of him.

Mo / November 17, 2006 4:02 PM

I had a professor in college who I loved and admired and trusted, and who was my mentor and teacher for several classes. I later came to know her daughter, who was around my age, and she said that in the 20+ years her mother had been teaching, I was her favorite student.

I'm also very flattered when people (lots of them) tell me I have beautiful skin, especially because I'm always self-conscious about the 2 very prominent moles on each cheek (of my face).

amanda / November 17, 2006 4:15 PM

I've never been very athletic (I was one of those kids in junior high who couldn't run the mile or do a single pull up during the presidential fitness test) nor have I ever had an athlete's body (or even a skinny body), but in the last few years I picked up running and while I am still *painfully slow* and have made virtually no improvement in my speed over the past 3 years, I have kept at it, more or less. A couple years ago, after a summer of running lots, I had an electrocardiograph (sp?), and the technician asked me if I was a runner since my heartbeat was so slow. That made me feel like all the hard work was finally paying off, since my times certainly weren't getting any better.

Meems / November 17, 2006 4:26 PM

I had a professor tell me I'm a good writer.
Also, an oral surgeon I met told me I should have kids because my I have good teeth.

PMan / November 17, 2006 4:26 PM

Back in my social worker days, one of my clients said,
'Let me tell you that you are a handsome young man, and I do appreciate what you're doing for the old folks - I guess it's like they say, beauty is as beauty does'.

I've never considered myself a very good looking person, but I found it very encouraging to think that I could be that for a person on a given day.

p / November 17, 2006 4:30 PM

1. You know alot about chicken.
2. Nice Calves.
3. You make me want to be a better man.
4. This pumpkin pie is BANGIN.
5. You make me want to be a better woman.
6. Nice coat.

clodius / November 17, 2006 4:32 PM

You don't suck.

amyc / November 17, 2006 4:35 PM

Michael Moore told me (at a reading/booksigning for Downsize This), "I saw you in the audience. You're one of the people who gets it."

p / November 17, 2006 4:42 PM

7. Michael Moore stealing a line he got from me at a cocktail party in Flint and using it on a honeydew.
8. You eat alot of spicy food.
9. THAT's how you order a sandwich.
10. Quiero hacer un sandwich de personas con usted y mi amiga. Va conmigo.

Leelah / November 17, 2006 5:07 PM

1. (from a former student) Ms. P's class prepared me for Stanford.
2. (at report card pick-up last week) Thank you. My son has always hated English, and he loves your class. He wants to do well because of you.
3. (shouted out in class) I LIKE POETRY NOW!
4. This class is so much fun. In other classes, when the bell rings, you're ready to leave. Not in here (I teach 101 minute blocks, so this is huge!)
5. Being nominated for a Golden Apple award. (I didn't actually apply because I didn't want to write the essays... but it was nice to be nominated!)

anon / November 17, 2006 5:23 PM

You will raise really good kids one day.

anon / November 17, 2006 5:25 PM

"Naieve enough to be completely fucking brilliant."

CC / November 17, 2006 6:06 PM

"I find you extremely intriguing," said by former boyfriend when he was in the initial stages of wooing me.

"I can't see you as a doctor. I see you playing guitar at a pseudo-intellectual cafe, reciting poetry... " something to that effect said by my favorite h.s. teacher. His words were prophetic. I did not become a doctor, but I am in the process of looking for barista work.

steven / November 17, 2006 10:11 PM

I want my son to be just like you when he grows up.

mls / November 18, 2006 11:54 AM

"As far as the eye can see, your beauty stretches from sea to sea."

hmm / November 18, 2006 5:50 PM

"You have awakened parts of me long-slumbering and I'm not just referring to romantic ones. You have reminded me that life is exciting, that people are good, that I still have much to do. These are things I guess I had forgotten, without even realizing it. My world is better because of you."

Y A J / November 18, 2006 6:00 PM

I was working as a lifeguard at a swanky gold coast condo pool. A couple of guys were hanging out on the pool deck, wasted out of their heads on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The pool and deck were crowded with wealthy kids & mommies. The wasted guys kept yelling, hooting, etc. so I kicked them out. The perfectly bronzed aging socialite who drank martinis all day while she tanned and governed our little world from her prestigious corner cabana said "You're the only one here with balls enough to do that". I, of course, was the only female lifeguard.

B. ellen P. / November 18, 2006 7:41 PM

The most inspiring and creative teacher/friend/role model I've ever had told me that I was one of the most creative people she'd ever worked with, and she waited to tell me this until I was really ready to hear it. I replay the memory of that phone call when ever I'm wondering if I'm wasting my time.

Cindy / November 18, 2006 9:21 PM

"I like your hat."

Alison / November 19, 2006 5:37 PM

As an undergrad, an English professor asked me to stopy by during office hours and said, "you write better than most of my grad students. you're one of the few who really gets it."

...i still haven't lived up to all that implies, but it certainly does inspire me to try.

Alison / November 19, 2006 5:39 PM

*stop

...he never did say I had great proofing skills :)

dan / November 19, 2006 11:03 PM

"Rarely in my 38 years as a teacher have I come across a student, or a person, for that matter like him. He is somone that will be sorely missed. "

fluffy / November 20, 2006 1:58 PM

No words are needed. Just the fact that people spent their hard-earned money to buy my art is the biggest compliment. even if they just like it........

anon / November 26, 2006 2:56 AM

1. "I think you're genuinely beautiful."

2. "You're not fat, you're perfect."

3. "You don't need to study for English because you are naturally curious about words and have a high intellect, namely in expressing your ideas and thoughts through words."

^^
Got that one straight out of a messenger history. Love it.

Sue / December 8, 2006 12:36 PM

Our 5th grade son and I were at his winter school conference (my husband was out of town on business) and the teacher turned to me and said,
"Sue, your son will go far in life for a variety of reasons:
1. He's bright and works hard
2. He has an awesome support system at home
3. He's lucky to have a mother (and father) who care so much. You're really the kind of parent I wish all my students could have!

{{{weep}}} Sorry if that sounds conceited, but that was truly one of the nicest and touching things anyone has ever said to me!