One day, two Italians. One compliment, two meanings. One place, two moments. First I met Alessandro, thirty minutes later I spotted Diego. They got the same statement, "I dig your style!" My praise was completely different each time because Diego and Alessandro were- and so was their style (and the specific parts I complimented in it). No two compliments are ever the same, just like no two moments are. I have been asked, "So do you still mean it when you tell the fifth person you like their smile?" My answer: Sure! If their smile lights up my day and I feel that spontaneous urge to tell them I mean it. And no, it doesn't matter if it is the first smile or the tenth, as long as I let myself in for the moment and the person, as long as I am present. If you tell your friend you love them, do you still mean that even though you have told your partner the same thing before? And what about ex-partners and former friends? Look at all those I love yous! Is I love you a disposable phrase? No way. Neither I love you nor I dig your smile (or your style) are. No I love you means the same as any previous declaration of love- because it is never the exact same feeling, or the exact same person, or both. Those sentences are reusable, eternally, as long as they are heartfelt.
Who?
Alessandro
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I love the way you are dressed today! Look at all these shades of green! They make me happy."
How did he react?
"Haha, thanks! Now look at that... Wait for it-..."
How did I feel?
Alessandro was personified extroversion. If he read this now he would probably say, "that's because I am Italian!"- at least he kept repeating this sentence when I asked him about the fact that he ended up in Berlin ("It is full of Italians!") and his job ("I cook in a restaurant, what do you expect!? I am Italian.") He was unbelievably easy to talk to. I don't think the corners of my mouth went down a single time during our chat. When I complimented him he started laughing, said, "thank you!", and opened his jacket to reveal a green hoodie over a green shirt. "Look, there's more!", he smiled. I chuckled, "Do you know that green stands for hope?". He answered, "Of course I do!" His eyes radiated with joy. When saying goodbye it felt completely natural to give him a hug. I saw him again a few minutes later, we waved at each other from afar and exchanged a few friendly words; Two moments of Alessandro sunshine, lucky me! Thank to you, Alessandro.
Alessandro
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I love the way you are dressed today! Look at all these shades of green! They make me happy."
How did he react?
"Haha, thanks! Now look at that... Wait for it-..."
How did I feel?
Alessandro was personified extroversion. If he read this now he would probably say, "that's because I am Italian!"- at least he kept repeating this sentence when I asked him about the fact that he ended up in Berlin ("It is full of Italians!") and his job ("I cook in a restaurant, what do you expect!? I am Italian.") He was unbelievably easy to talk to. I don't think the corners of my mouth went down a single time during our chat. When I complimented him he started laughing, said, "thank you!", and opened his jacket to reveal a green hoodie over a green shirt. "Look, there's more!", he smiled. I chuckled, "Do you know that green stands for hope?". He answered, "Of course I do!" His eyes radiated with joy. When saying goodbye it felt completely natural to give him a hug. I saw him again a few minutes later, we waved at each other from afar and exchanged a few friendly words; Two moments of Alessandro sunshine, lucky me! Thank to you, Alessandro.
Who?
Diego
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Two things: First you mustache. This one is amazing. And your style... I love it. That hat, that pirate earring, the jacket... Wonderful!"
How did he react?
He nodded, "The mustache.. Yeah, thank you!"
How did I feel?
Diego was cool. With his light smile he was down for being filmed by three people and complimented by a random girl. When I got to his earring he grinned and said, "Yeah, up there is my mansion!", as he pointed towards the old granary whose wall now says "Pirates Berlin". We laughed. I learned that he is from Turin. "I love Italy!", I told him, "When I was a kid my family used to go every year!". While we were chatting I could not stop thinking of Johnny Depp. I don't know why: Maybe it was because of the whole pirate idea, or maybe it was Diego's shades which he would not take off. His eyes stayed in the dark throughout our encounter which gave him a mysterious look. I liked it. Who knows, maybe it is all true and Diego's ship is waiting for its captain to return on board when his Berlin time is over... Diego: When you do hoist the flag to go back to Italy, let me know. I have always wanted to be the pirate myself. I could join the crew! I may not have a mustache but a parrot on my shoulder suits me well! Can't wait.
Anything else?
These two happened on the same day yet they have a number each. I think that's fine. There were so many days in the past in which I complimented but did not document that it is okay to do two compliments in one day every now and then.
Diego
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Two things: First you mustache. This one is amazing. And your style... I love it. That hat, that pirate earring, the jacket... Wonderful!"
How did he react?
He nodded, "The mustache.. Yeah, thank you!"
How did I feel?
Diego was cool. With his light smile he was down for being filmed by three people and complimented by a random girl. When I got to his earring he grinned and said, "Yeah, up there is my mansion!", as he pointed towards the old granary whose wall now says "Pirates Berlin". We laughed. I learned that he is from Turin. "I love Italy!", I told him, "When I was a kid my family used to go every year!". While we were chatting I could not stop thinking of Johnny Depp. I don't know why: Maybe it was because of the whole pirate idea, or maybe it was Diego's shades which he would not take off. His eyes stayed in the dark throughout our encounter which gave him a mysterious look. I liked it. Who knows, maybe it is all true and Diego's ship is waiting for its captain to return on board when his Berlin time is over... Diego: When you do hoist the flag to go back to Italy, let me know. I have always wanted to be the pirate myself. I could join the crew! I may not have a mustache but a parrot on my shoulder suits me well! Can't wait.
Anything else?
These two happened on the same day yet they have a number each. I think that's fine. There were so many days in the past in which I complimented but did not document that it is okay to do two compliments in one day every now and then.