How to Accept a Compliment

Have you ever received an unsolicited compliment from someone and . . .

           jumped up and down
           grinned like a fool
           basked in the recognition
           felt totally and completely humbled
                                                      justified
                                                      flattered
                                                      pretty
                                                      skinny
                                                      unabashedly brilliant

                                                                       . . . all inside your head?

Meanwhile, you look down, snort, mutter some self deprecating remark, and declare that the compliment-er better get their vision/hearing/sense of humor checked because they are totally and completely wrong about you.  

Some might call this insecurity.
I call it normal.
Well, I did until I realized that insulting someone who is paying you a compliment just might be considered rude.

After a great deal of thought, and some fumbling trial and error, I have learned that responding to a compliment with a compliment is disingenuous, completely ignoring the statement is awkward, and putting yourself down is, well, never a good idea.

So here's my advice.
Just say "thank you".
And be sure you really really mean it.