I don't take compliments well. I tend to feel awkward and embarassed and have been known to avoid potential compliments altogether. For example, when I used to play piano in church, people would come up to me afterward to tell me how much they enjoyed my playing. Sometimes I would actually duck-out through the front of the church while people were filing out the back. I know it appeared that I was being rude and stuck-up, but I have always found it difficult to just say, "Thank you" and leave it at that. I always feel the need to lessen the compliment b/c I don't feel like I can take full credit. By lessening the compliment, however, I realize that I've belittled the person. I remember numerous times after Mom would receive a compliment on her appearance or a performance of Lucy's Kids or my kids, she would do the same thing. And she would say to me, "I really should just say, thank you' and leave it at that."
I also have a difficult time when people offer me sympathy. I've always felt that if people feel sorry for me then I must be weak and helpless.....feelings I don't take kindly to. B/c if they think I'm weak and helpless then I must have to act that way. This line of reasoning starts the tears welling in the back of my eyes. Again, I know they mean well, and I should just say, "Thank you," but I get so busy trying to avoid the tears and side-step the sympathy that I appear like I'm rejecting other's compassion.
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