Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Sex-based differences in compliment behavior

by Herbert
1990

Americans, more than other English-speaking nationalities, use compliments to negotiate social relationships; Americans are more apt to disagree or downplay a compliment than South Africans. Our compliments seem insincere to other nationalities because the compliment is not actually ABOUT the item or the wearer, but about negotiation of relationships.

American women give more compliments than American men. When men compliment men or women, the addressee is more likely to accept the compliment and say thank you. WHen women compliment women, the addressee is more likely to give some other response, like a history of the item.

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