Pay a Compliment Day

National Pay a Compliment Day is celebrated each year on February 6. The day was created in 1995 by Adrienne Koopersmith after she witnessed a bus driver stop in freezing weather to pick up a distressed passenger who was not at a designated stop. Struck by the driver’s decision, she made a point of thanking him before getting off the bus, and this experience stayed with her.

The observance encourages people to openly express genuine appreciation, showing how clearly spoken compliments can lift morale, strengthen everyday interactions, and improve emotional well-being during late winter.

💞 Pay a Compliment Day is separate from National Compliment Day on January 24 and World Compliment Day on March 1, each of which has its own origin and focus.

When Is Pay a Compliment Day?

Pay a Compliment Day takes place every year on February 6. The fixed date falls shortly after the start of the year, a time when many people are settling back into everyday routines and social interactions.

Why Compliments Matter

Compliments help people understand how their actions affect others. Clear, specific praise tells someone that their effort, judgment, or attitude has been noticed, which makes positive behavior more likely to continue.

Research in social psychology shows that sincere compliments can increase motivation, strengthen trust, and improve emotional well-being.

Even though many people hold back out of fear of sounding awkward, studies consistently find that recipients experience compliments as more meaningful and encouraging than the giver expects.

Ways to Observe Pay a Compliment Day

The best way to observe Pay a Compliment Day is by giving someone a compliment that feels natural and specific. Here are practical, everyday ways to give a compliment that we hope will land well:

• Be specific instead of general, such as saying you appreciated how clearly someone explained something.

• Focus on effort or behavior, like noticing preparation, patience, or follow-through.

• Say it close to the moment you notice it, rather than saving it for later

• Keep it simple and natural, using your normal speaking voice.

• Give it one-on-one when possible, especially if the person is private.

• Mean it, and don’t add qualifiers or jokes that weaken the message.

• Avoid comparing them to others, and keep the focus on what they did.

• Match the compliment to the situation, whether casual, personal, or professional.

• Let it stand on its own without expecting a response or return compliment.

• Notice small things people rarely get credit for, like consistency, kindness, or calmness.

Compliments That Work Every Time

Not every compliment lands the way we intend. To help you say something that feels genuine, here are 15 clear, natural compliments that work well in everyday situations or at the workplace.

1. “You explain things in a way that actually makes sense.”
2. “I really appreciate how reliable you are.”
3. “You handled that situation calmly, even though it was stressful.”
4. “You put a lot of thought into that, and it shows.”
5. “You’re very good at making people feel comfortable.”
6. “I admire how consistent you are.”
7. “You noticed something important that others missed.”
8. “You’re easy to work with, and that makes a big difference.”
9. “You ask thoughtful questions.”
10. “You have a great sense of timing.”
11. “I like how you stay focused, even when things get busy.”
12. “You’re patient in situations where most people wouldn’t be.”
13. “You bring a steady energy to the group.”
14. “You follow through on what you say you’ll do.”
15. “You make things feel more manageable.”