Post 5:Janet Holmes "Complementing- A Positive Politeness Strategy"

According to Holmes men and women interpret compliments differently, while women use compliments to establish , maintain and strengthen relationships men use them to compliment women more often than men. Men will complement women and not men because it is more socially acceptable to do so. For instance men will not compliment other men because it is considered face- threatening, creating a sense of discomfort, embarrassment and awkwardness for the person receiving a compliment about his appearance. Women according to Holmes tend to perceive and use compliments as positively affective speech acts to establish solidarity where as men will give but receive and interpret most compliments as face threatening.


There are many more forms of compliments that are used by men and women. Some compliments may be given and can be interpreted as expressing admiration, praise,and may even express envy. The common forms used by men are expressing praise and admiration toward women. Men are aware that women like compliments and often use them when addressing women. Compliments are given to women by men in different situations they can be encouraging one-ups or one-downs which are common in the work force for unequal ranked members. Women take a subordinate role in society and need more compliments because of the role they have and get praise more often than men. The position that women are in is a one down position because men who give them encouragement have a superior rank and it creates an imbalance when giving praise on a persons work which is ultimately being judged. ultimately women give more compliments to both men and women to establish rapport in a personal level, establish and keep a balanced friendship between peers and equals.