For me , complements should be private if they are to be given sincerely . I guess it just feels awkward to get "or" receive them . In the military , if you remember , it is protocol to praise in public , & discipline in private , but that's just protocol , I don't know why they do that here . Dating shouldn't be treated like a job performance rating . It's "TaCkY".

Compliments are like cheese on a mouse trap. If one doesn't grab it quick and run away fast enough, it feels like a hanging expectation exists for a return compliment. It's a pretty dicey situation at times.

Well shucks.... thank you...
Alrighty.... thank you...

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
William Shakespeare

Well men and women of Agnostics.com can you find the compliments to appropriately make for each age together with the sweet soft thanks to return for the boon bestowed upon you?
No?
Well then go and fester in the poisonous pus of your mind and body's boils, say no more on't!

I have gotten better. I used to always come up with an excuse why I didn’t deserve the compliment.

Here in Thailand, and in other foreign countries where I've lived, people have often discussed me in my presence, not realizing I understand. Usually, they remark about how "pretty" or "beautiful" I am, which baffles me, since they still do it, and I'm 65.

I decided that possibly they think I'm more attractive because of my Caucasian features, compared to theirs, but I don't know for sure.

Being partially trans I've always avoided looking in mirrors or at photos of me, thinking I looked "hideous," but when I see old photos now that I used to hate, I can see that I was very pretty, all my life. Since I never thought so, it didn't do me a lot of good, where a "real" woman would have exploited it to manipulate men.

I just didn't care, feeling like I was male, myself.

I always say, "Thank you!" and smile at them.

Sexual comments about my body are NOT compliments, and not only make me feel uncomfortable, it can make me fighting mad, but only if spoken by a male.

I'm male enough that I give females a free pass, but they typically don't make crude sexual remarks about other women, being more oblique and polite, as a rule.

I enjoy a compliment, but I also feel like I have been put on the spot at those times. I don't always respond coherently when I'm on the spot. “Thank you” always works.

I know my Dad was not big with compliments. (They could be awkward - my sisters agree! lol). And I had a hard time accepting them from anyone as a younger version of myself.

Now that I understand that?
I say "Thank you very much!". Why make someone who is trying to be nice feel uncomfortable? Even if they are faking you can say "Thank you".

And I never give a false compliment - taking after my Dad. lol

I feel awkward when it comes to compliments. I'll generally just take it and be as courteous as I can, but it always feels off. Work related compliments I always just shrug off because I'm simply doing my job and provided I'm not receiving complaints, I don't need any amount of positive reinforcement.

I like a genuine compliment, they make me feel good.
I like to return the compliment if the other person has any redeeming qualities whatsoever. LOL
Just kidding.
I think most people like them as long as they don't presume more familiarity than is warranted.

I always feel awkward when recieving genuine praise. I don't know how to react. Then again I am a typical Brit, I show no sincerity just sarcasm and irony

A simple "thank you" does it ! And no - if the compliment is sincere, I've no problem with it.

It seems the discomfort for some, comes from not feeling that one truly deserves the compliment, or that there may be an ulterior motive attached - which of course, might be true !

I'll take whatever compliments I can get. I'm needy that way.

I haven't sent any to men. I have sent them to ladies who I thought posted good content. I'm afraid of coming off as creepy.

humbly if I can, but its a bit weird sometimes.

They make me insanely uncomfortable. I used to blow them off, but learned it's bad manners so I usually avoid eye contact, but do say "ah, thanks, but you're crazy"

A little, and I have no idea why ???