Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988

62. Accepting a Compliment
3. Responding Gambits

Are you good at accepting a compliment — or do you become embarrassed? Accepting a compliment is sometimes more difficult than paying one!

Work in pairs paying and accepting compliments in turn You may use your own ideas or the ideas below

For example:

I really like your dress Marie.

Oh, thank you. I bought it at that new shop that ’s just opened.

Marie was pleased and added extra information — the dress was new

But sometimes we want to play down the compliment.

For example:

I really like your dress Marie.

Oh, thank you. I've had it for years.

Ideas for compliments

1. a dress

2. a shirt

3. a new car

4. a fancy tie

5. very neat handwriting

6. the way someone's had their hair done

7. a new house/flat

8. a meal

9. English pronunciation

10. a ring

Match these 10 ideas with the following ways of playing down' a compliment:

a. Oh, it took no time at all.

b. My boyfriend gave it to me.

c. I’ve just changed my hairdresser.

d. It’s from Marks & Spencers.

e I'm not too keen on the colour myself.

f. I spent a year in the States.

g. I hope it's not too vulgar!

h. It took us a long time to find it.

i. I was taught very well.

j. But it uses too much petrol

Oh, thank you.

That’s very kind of you.

It’s very kind of you to say that.

Do you really think so?

Thanks. I needed that.

You’ve made my day!