How To Pay Quiet And Subtle Flattery
This is just a quick post sharing a cheeky tip that I learnt from a collegue a long time ago.
People used to speak very differently in the 1950’s. It wasn’t just the way people talked, but the words they used that sounded different. However, that bygone era past shouldn’t be totally ignored by the young people of today. Infact, the opposite applies – we can actually use the ‘old fashioned’ and polite way of talking in order to pay an effective compliment to someone we are talking to.
How do you do this? By simply slipping polite phrases and courtesies into your speech as you speak to older people. For instance, when you accidentally brush past someone, you should say “Oh, I’m sorry Sir/Ma’am” in a very natural way. Its so effective because it makes the other person stop and think, while you can just carry on upon your way!
Building in little habits such as this into your behaviour can really improve your reputation with older team members and collegues. Its now completely automatic for me to call strangers ‘Sir/Ma’am’ in a confident and polite manner. As an added bonus, you won’t believe how compliant shop staff are to someone who addresses them respectfully!
I would be careful on using the word “ma’am.”
Quite a few women of a certain age react negatively to it, as I have learned the hard way.
They much prefer to be addressed as “Miss.”
Go figure.
Yes Thomas, I guess you’re right! Thanks for the comment.
The worst part about this is, I actually do conduct myself like that now. The reason that might be bad is, I’m not sure if that means I’m polite or just old!
Simple tip but very effective. Doing this could really build up a good impression for you. Thanks for sharing.
Just like the old saying >> Words are powerful. Thanks for the tip. I will apply this more everyday, as much as possible I want to have a good impression from people
It is true that when you use these words, you’ll become more professional.