Conversation Lesson 8: Compliments and/or Congratulations

Nora: Hi, Mary, I think you did a good job delivering your report. Mary: Thank you. To tell you the truth, I rehearsed my talk a couple of times last night. Nora: But you sounded really natural. Mary: Thanks, I’m very glad to hear that. You know I’m going to do another report and I’d like to know how to improve my performance. Nora: Well, the only thing I can say is that I think it would be better if you looked at the audience more while you were talking. Mary: I see. I guess I get so nervous sometimes. Nora: Oh yeah, it’s normal to feel that way. Anyway, you did a great job. Mary: Thank you again. I appreciate your telling me this and I’ll try to pay attention to that next time.

Culture Note Americans may compliment a friend, someone they just met, or even a stranger. Some Westerners do not understand the idea of rejecting compliments, as an expression of self-denial and modesty, in Chinese culture. Instead, Americans consider it more polite to accept compliments as recognition of their efforts.

To compliment someone you can say I’d like to compliment you on... What a nice/beautiful... ! Those are/That is a (really) nice/beautiful... I really like your... You have a (really) nice/beautiful... (I think) your... are/is really nice/beautiful…

To reply to someone’s compliment, you can say It’s nice of you to say so. Thank you (very much). How kind of you to say so. I’m flattered. Thanks (a lot). I’m glad you like them/it. I’m glad to hear that. Thank you.

To congratulate someone, you can say I’d like to offer my congratulations (on)... Congratulations! Congratulations on... I’m very happy for you. That’s great! (wonderful, terrific, fantastic)

To reply to someone’s congratulations, you can say Thank you (very much). Thanks (a lot).

Practice Compliments and/or Congratulations Work in pairs. Read each of the following situations and practice compliments and congratulations.

Compliments and Congratulations - Situation 1 You and your American classmate. You are studying at the University of California, Berkeley. Today in class you give a presentation. After class your classmate tells you that he/she really liked your presentation. He/she tells you that your presentation seemed well-prepared, informative, and that while giving it you didn’t seem nervous. You reply to your classmate’s compliment.

Compliments and Congratulations - Situation 2 You and your American colleague. You and your American colleague have worked together for almost a year in an American company in China. Your American colleague invites you to a Christmas party at his/her apartment. Before you leave the party, you compliment your colleague on how nicely furnished and decorated the apartment is, and tell your colleague how much you enjoyed the party and express your thanks.

Compliments and Congratulations - Situation 3 You and your classmate. You and your classmate are close friends and both of you are going to graduate next year. Your classmate tells you that because he/she has passed both the TOEFL and GRE, he/she will go to America to study. You congratulate him/her and ask how he/she did it.

Compliments and Congratulations - Situation 4 You and your friend. Your close friend tells you that he/she has just got a big promotion at work. After hearing the news, you feel happy about it and congratulate him/her. Your friend is so excited that he/she invites you to an expensive restaurant for dinner.