There are probably people in your life that you don’t like very much. Maybe they have done something to hurt you, or maybe they just rub you the wrong way. It can be tough to find nice things to say to them, but it’s worth the effort. Sometimes, a kind word can change someone’s entire day – or even their life! In this blog post, we will explore 10 nice things to say to someone you don’t like in order to make them feel better.
Nice Things to Say to Someone You Don’t Like
We’ve all been there. You’re stuck in a conversation with someone you can’t stand or hate. Maybe it’s your boss, your mother-in-law, or that one coworker who just gets on your last nerve. Whatever the case may be, sometimes you just have to grin and bear it. But that doesn’t mean the conversation has to be torturous. In fact, there are some things you can say that will not only make the conversation more bearable but might even (dare we say it?) make the person you can’t stand like you a little bit more.
1. “You have great taste.”
Whether they’re talking about their new car, their significant other, or that shirt they just bought, a simple compliment on their taste goes a long way. It shows that you’re paying attention and that you approve of their choices—even if you don’t necessarily share them. Positive attributes like this can be contagious, so by showing that you approve of their taste, Not only will improve your relationships with others, but they might also start to see you in a more positive light, and you could be friends one day.
2. “I love your sense of humor.”
Everyone loves to laugh, so telling someone you enjoy their sense of humor is a surefire way to make them warm up to you—even if you’re just being polite. And who knows, maybe you’ll actually find yourself laughing along with them before long. Be mindful also of your body language when you say this; if you’re rolling your eyes or looking away, they’ll be able to tell you don’t really mean it. Having fun with this one can also help break the ice so you can start to enjoy their company more.
3. “You’re always so well-put-together.”
This one works especially well for people who are always impeccably dressed or who always seem to have everything together—even when the rest of us are falling apart at the seams. A few well-chosen words of admiration will go a long way with this type of person.
There are ways to say awesome compliments that will make the person you don’t like think more highly of you. By taking the time to say something nice, you might find the conversation goes more smoothly than expected—and you may even come out of it with a new friend. Who knows?
4. “You’re really good at what you do.”
Even if what they do is something you can’t stand, chances are they take pride in their work and appreciate being recognized for their skills and accomplishments. So go ahead and give them the credit they deserve—you might be surprised at how much it means to them.
We all know that person who is really good at their job, whether we like them or not. If you take the time to say something nice about their work, it will go a long way. Everyone appreciates being recognized for their skills and accomplishments, so by giving the person you don’t like some credit, you might be surprised at how much it means to them. It’s a way of respect that can go a long way.
5. “You’re such a great listener.”
This is a great compliment to give anyone, but it’s especially useful when dealing with someone who tends to dominate conversations. By letting them know that you appreciate their ability to listen, you’ll not only make them feel good, but you’ll also encourage them to let you get a word in edgewise now and then. Interesting people are usually good listeners, and by showing that you think they’re interesting, you might find the conversation becomes more interesting as well.
6. “I really admire your (insert positive trait here).”
Is there something about this person that you actually admire? Maybe they’re always calm under pressure, or they never seem to lose their cool—whatever the case may be, letting them know that there’s something about them that you look up to is a surefire way to get on their good side. People like to be admired, and by finding something about them that you can genuinely admire, you’ll be sure to make a lasting impression.
7. “Thank you for (insert thoughtful deed here).”
Did this person do something nice for you? Even if it was something small, take a moment to thank them for their thoughtfulness—it’ll mean more than you realize. And who knows, maybe they’ll return the favor next time you need it most.
We’ve all been on the receiving end of a nice deed, whether it’s something big or small. And while we may not always take the time to say thank you, it really does mean a lot to the other person. So next time someone does something nice for you, be sure to let them know how much you appreciate it.
8. “I’m sorry about (insert thing that’s causing tension here).”
Sometimes the best way to defuse tension is by acknowledging that it exists and taking responsibility for your part in it—even if that part is small or nonexistent. This simple act of contrition can go a long way toward making peace with someone you can’t stand. It could be helpful to start off by saying something like, “I’m sorry about the way things have been between us, I know it’s not ideal.”
No one likes conflict, but it’s bound to happen from time to time. And when it does, owning up to your part in it—even if you don’t think you did anything wrong—is a great way to diffuse the tension. So if you’re looking to make peace with someone you don’t like, start off by apologizing for the situation.
9. “I know how much (insert shared experience here) meant to you.”
Even if you don’t particularly care about the shared experience in question, showing empathy and understanding toward someone else’s feelings shows that you’re a compassionate human being—something we could all use a little more of these days.
We all have experiences that mean a lot to us, even if they don’t mean anything to anyone else. And while it’s easy to dismiss someone else’s feelings as unimportant, taking the time to show empathy and understanding is a great way to show that you’re a compassionate human being.
10. “It was really nice talking to you.”
Ending on a positive note is always a good idea—especially when dealing with someone we can’t stand! A simple statement like this lets them know that despite our differences, we still managed to have a pleasant conversation. And who knows, maybe we’ll even be able to find common ground next time we talk.
Ending a conversation on a positive note is always a good idea—it leaves the other person with a good feeling and opens the door for future interactions. So next time you’re talking to someone you don’t like, try ending things on a positive note by saying something like, “It was really nice talking to you.” Who knows, it might just make them see you in a new light.
11. ” You’re such a breath of fresh air.”
In a world full of negativity, it can be nice to know that there are still people out there who appreciate the good things in life. If you find yourself in a conversation with someone who is always upbeat and positive, let them know that you appreciate their energy.
12.” I’m a big fan of (insert thing they’re passionate about here).”
We all like to feel like our passions and interests are appreciated by others. So if you’re talking to someone who is passionate about something, take a moment to let them know that you’re a fan. It’ll make them feel good and might even give you something to bond over.
Take Away: Nice things to say to someone you don’t like
In this world, it’s easy to get caught up in our differences and forget about the things that make us similar. Saying nice things to someone you don’t like can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that everyone appreciates a compliment—even if they don’t show it. The next time you find yourself stuck in a conversation with someone whose company you can’t stand, try out one of these 10 compliments! They just might help make the conversation more bearable…and who knows? You might even find yourself liking this person before too long!
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