Since Keith Channing is on a break, I thought it would be fun to make another finger point prompt. Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop and eyes wide shut pointed to a page. The word that was closest to my finger was “compliment.” That is the prompt for today.
Compliment by John W. Howell ©2020
“My you look nice today, sir.”
“Huh?”
“I said, ‘my you look nice today.'”
“I heard what you said. I’m just a little confused as to why you said it. I don’t even know you.”
“I’m paying you a compliment. My name is Jim.”
“Yeah, okay, Jim. Any reason you are paying me a compliment?”
“I have made a New Year’s resolution to say something nice to everyone I meet.”
“Uh. That sounds like an admirable objective. It is a little offputting, though.”
“How?”
“With no context, when someone says, ‘My you look nice today,’ it is like you want something.”
“I was only paying a compliment, but now that you mention it.”
“What?”
“Could you loan me ten bucks.”
“See. This is exactly what I mean. You give me a compliment only to get what you want.”
‘Well, it is much better to be nice.”
“But the end result is the same.”
“I guess you are right. Okay, then does this make a difference?”
“W-what’s that?”
“Last time I looked a Glock 9mm. How about your wallet?”
“I think we should go back to nice.”
“Nah. You are right. This is a better way. I’m not even going to say thank you. It is the last of 2020. Maybe I’ll try my approach in 2021.”
Fiction Favorites 
😱😂🤣😂
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Thank you, Chris. 😁
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“Nice” is definitely the better choice! Well done, John. Does this mean you’ll be sharing sweet nothings throughout the day? 😁
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Hahahaha. Stand by. We’ll see.
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I guess it’s better to be robbed by a polite criminal! Nicely done, John!
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At least by a 2021 criminal.😊
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Hi,
Actually, his compliment to the man was actually a way of him lulling him into a deep sleep so that he could pick pocket the man. I’m thinking of so many ways that methods like these prevent people from people to strangers on the streets. Excellent way of dealing with the prompt.
Have a happy New Year.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
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Thank you, Pat. You caught the underlying lesson. Maybe a new year will allow people to be nice even if they don’t want something. Shalom aleichem.
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Good one, John. When I saw your prompt, I thought, ‘what’s a compliment?’ I haven’t heard one from my better-half in 20 years – then i remembered, oh yeah, that’s how long we’ve been married!!
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Hahahaha. You better watch out. Your better half may be looking over your shoulder right now. (Don’t turn around) 😁
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NOW you tell me?!!!!!
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You looked didn’t you?
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Well, that took an unexpected turn! 😀
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Yup. The lesson of the day. Be nice even if you don’t want something. Thanks, Liz.
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Should have just accepted the compliment and kept walking.
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Well, yeah. Of course then the prompt support would have been pretty short. “You look nice.” “Thanks.”
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My dad was right. Just accept the compliment graciously and move on.
Good job, John.
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Yes indeed. The other lesson is be nice even if you don’t want something. Thanks, Dan.
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Well, it isn’t the new year yet, so I guess the resolution still stands.
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Yup. 😊
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As Jill said – at least he was polite.
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Hahahaha. Yes indeed.
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Man, talk about a turnaround – from nice to nasty in seconds. 🙂 Great one, John!
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Yes. It does happen. Thanks, Jan
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That’s why people don’t trust nice… 😉
That said, I’ve taken to telling people if they look nice or have a nice pair of shoes, or whatever. Makes their day, usually!
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I would say it would, Dale. 😊
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So worth it 🙂
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I definitely would prefer the nice approach in this scenario:)
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Me too. Nothing like staring down the barrel of a 9mm to put an edge on the day. Thanks, Denise.
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I never knew compliments were bait for $10 bills. Much better than the glock and speil.
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Hahaha. Good one, John.
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“I think we should go back to nice.” I snorted over that one, lol.
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Glad to hear a snort out there.
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I can honestly say I did not see that one coming! 🤣 But on a serious note, isn’t it sad that we, as a society, are so mistrusting of people?
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Well, people earn or lose trust. People only have themselves to blame for a loss of trust.
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😂😂😂😂😂
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😁
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As far as compliments go, this is SO 2020.
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Yes it is. Thanks, Marc.
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A metaphor for the year maybe?
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Absolutely. I like the fact that you caught the underling message. 😁
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One of the lessons I learned as a teenager was to take compliments gracefully, by saying thank you, and move on. I like a nice ending though.
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I think we all like a nice ending. Thanks, Deborah.
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We do! You’re welcome, John.
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Ah, back handed compliments, John, I am very familiar with them.
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Thanks, Robbie.
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Yeah, let’s stick with nice, John. 🙂 Good one and I’ll admit that I love paying people compliments. The world would shine just a bit brighter with more smiles. Of course, with everyone masked up, it’s a little difficult to see them. But the eyes say it all. 🙂 Happy New Year again! 🙄🥂🎉🎊
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I’m with you on nice, Lauren. Happy New Year again
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Ouch. This says quite a lot for the state of things. I’ll stick with nice. Well done, John. Happy New Year.
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Thanks, Jennie. Happy New Year to you.
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You’re welcome, John. Here’s to a new year!
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