entry no. 5, I was too self-absorbed to notice what you wore

welcome to the 5th entry of EXPOSING THE CALLOUS IGBO GIRL, where I expose myself, the callous igbo girl.

so, question, “WHAT IS THE GENERAL RULE ON WHAT TO SAY WHEN PEOPLE GIVE YOU COMPLIMENTS ?” is it too reply back with a compliment for the other person, or to say thank you and make conversation, or mixture of both.

I was on the bus the other day from downtown Winnipeg to somewhere not downtown, and a girl complimented the puffer jacket that I had on. for context, we got on the bus from the same stop so she already saw me -and my jacket- before I got on the bus, -I saw her as well just like you see people when you're outside but you don't pay much attention after that first acknowledgment of you seeing them and them seeing you- So next thing she says after complimenting my jacket, -and me saying thank you very much- was that she saw me before we got on the bus but she wasn't sure how to approach me and tell me she liked my jacket without it being awkward, and I was like oh it wouldn't have been at all, at the same time she proceeds to ask where I got it from, I tell her and the conversation ends with me saying “thank you again.” A few seconds later an almost older looking woman fitted beside this girl, tells her, “oh well I like your jacket as well, its black and simple and suits you well,” 🙄😂. I tell you I immediately felt like shit, It immediately made me feel like I had given the wrong reply, or like I didn't deserve the compliment because I didn't respond back with a compliment.

is this just a me thing or do people intentionally give compliments expecting to receive one back? i’ve been under the impression that when a person gives another person a compliment it is solely because they see something on that person that they like -mainly because that’s why I do it- But, what I really want to know -because I lack most necessary social communicating skills- is, “IS THERE A GENERAL (SOCIETAL) RULE on what to reply when you get a compliment, that the public knows of, or is everyone also free styling it like me?” because I do give back compliments as replies but only when I also notice something on the other person that happens to grab my intention 😌