Have you ever heaped praise on someone/something you really dislike?
When I was in school, there was one guy in my class who antagonised me. He was the sort who had to belittle people to indirectly point out how good he was. I tried really hard to like the guy, but ultimately failed. However I still voted for him for school captain. I’m still not sure why, but I think it may have been because I was trying not to dislike him.
Once in a job interview, I was asked which placement I had enjoyed the most during my studies, and why. I had just been denied a job at one particular place (who had given me a glowing report as a student) with no explanation. I didn’t like the people there, although the job itself was a fairly good one. So in this interview, I said that this was my favourite placement.
Have you ever done anything like this? If you try not to dislike a person or circumstance that is really testing you, do you ever speak of it as being likeable?
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9 Answers
Many times, but probably not in the way you mean. I think war is abhorrent, but I admire greatly the acts of courage that have been displayed over the course of countless battles in history.
Praise where it’s due certainly.
@ucme Thanks, but that’s not quite what I mean. I am referring more to praise where it is not due. I now regret both of these actions, and I still dislike both this person and the placement centre.
No, I may have kept quiet about someone I disliked but I would be unlikely to praise them.
If someone has done a good job, even if I don’t like them, I will praise them. I am sure sometimes if I don’t like the person and want to be fair I go a little further than I would normally. I wouldn’t praise someone I don’t like if I don’t genuinely think they deserve it though.
I am polite where people I dislike are concerned. If the person has done a good job and deserving of praise, I give my congratulations and move on. But sometimes you’re in a situation where you are “cornered” like in the placement center. So I try to give the most diplomatic response without sounding too phoney and escape!
I don’t heap praise, but I do try to say something positive, or say nothing at all. People who are positive about others tend to have an easier time building consensus with others.
Yes. As a matter of fact I think I might praise those who challenge me at least as much as those who don’t. Maybe because if they think I like them they might go easier on me. My kids’ pre-school teacher who is one of my heroes in this world told me once that when she meets a kid she finds annoying or challenging she tries to use that to motivate her to give that child more because they probably need it. I try to remember that at the times when I want to punch someone in the nose. Since I am irritated by the vast majority of people in this world that is quite often.
Thanks everyone for your answers.
@SuperMouse I was beginning to think I was crazy until I read your post. Thanks!
No. I give credit where credit is due, even if I dislike others parts of the person but I won’t agree to something I don’t believe in unless my position is threatened by doing so and then I’ll keep quiet or deflect.
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