Hot take: That compliment from a stranger at a gallery show

Was at the local First Friday art walk last month in Portland. Some older lady named Carol stopped at my booth and spent like 5 minutes looking at my digital landscape piece. She said it made her feel like she was actually standing in that forest again. That one comment hit different than any online like or share. Anyone else ever have a random person say something that stuck?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer_hayes7122d ago

I was just reading about how the brain processes compliments differently when they come from strangers versus people we know. Something about how our guard is down so it hits deeper. Sounds like Carol gave you a real gift with that one.

fiona_lane22d ago

Oh wow, that's a really interesting point @spencer_hayes71. I've definitely felt that myself where a random person says something nice and it sticks with me way longer than when my mom or partner says the same thing. It's like our guard drops with strangers because we don't have that history of expectations or past arguments coloring the interaction. Probably has something to do with how our brain files away new information from a neutral source versus someone we already have strong feelings about. Your mileage may vary but I think that's why random compliments at the grocery store or bus stop can feel so surprisingly meaningful.