In front of the mirror, the compliment gets stuck
At the salon, the stylist is trimming my hair in front of the mirror, and sometimes “It suits you” just circles around in my mouth.
Scenes
- “It suits you” is all that comes to mind — The stylist tidies my hair in front of the salon mirror. I want to say thank you, but the compliment catches in my throat.
- Big words make it harder — Worried that “It suits you” might sound like a judgment of their whole look, the customer's lips close for a moment.
- Focus on what you noticed — When a compliment gets stuck, you don’t have to talk about the whole person. Start with one thing you noticed, and your words will become more specific.
- Say what you see and why — If their bangs brighten their face, you could say, “Your bangs really suit you. They make your face look brighter.”
- Even a few words can convey how you feel — A compliment doesn’t need dressing up. One thing you noticed and why you liked it is enough.
Stories by Baekho
- Baekho
- It’s true, but on my way home, I keep rephrasing it.
- Even grocery shopping makes everything I need to do today feel urgent.
- Every Sunday night, I rewrite what I’m looking for.
- I open the handover file before bed.
- At a red light, I think of what I’m good at in my work.
- The day before an important meeting, I swallow my words again.
- It feels like I’m giving up my career.
- When a request comes up in the group chat, I reply first.