Complimentary angles

Don't dismiss, downplay or deny a compliment. It's time we learnt to accept one gracefully

- SEEMA GOSWAMI

Compliments. They seem uncomplicated on the surface. But dig a little deeper and you realise that they are nothing short of a potential minefield, which may explode in your face at any moment.

How many times have you bumped into an old friend and been greeted by, "Wow, you've really lost weight?" It's meant to be a compliment and meant in the best possible way. But every time that happens to me, my first thought is, "How fat did you think I was before?" I never say that out aloud, of course, for fear of seeming churlish. But that unspoken thought rankles for far too long afterwards.