Think About It
Compliment vs. Money
This question may be harder to answer than it seems.
A segment on the television program Good Morning America this morning prompted me to ask this question. Would you rather receive a compliment for a job well done, or a few dollars? Keep in mind we aren't talking about a million bucks here; maybe $5.00 or $10.00.
Which makes you feel better? Would you rather be praised or paid? Would you rather hear that you looked nice, or be bought a nice lunch?
Would it depend on your mood? If you were feeling down, do you think a pat on the back would make you feel better than enough cash for a cup of coffee?
After considering this for a while I thought I decided that a compliment is nice but money might be more useful
After thinking on it a bit longer I realized that I do love it when I receive a nice compliment, especially on my Squidoo lenses.
I'll give you my final conclusion at the end of this lens. But first . . .
Tell Me What You Think?
I'm interested in knowing what everyone else thinks about this. Please share your thoughts here.
Which do you prefer, a compliment or a little money? And Why?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byFlattery Will Get You Everywhere.
Tahamtan says:
It was so obvious for me I didn't think anybody goes for the other option but it seems it is not so obvious after all. Interesting...! I go for praise.
Posted June 06, 2009
destination-beach-wedding-dress says:
If I get praised then I will have the confidence to get the job that pays!
Posted June 05, 2009
nataliejoan says:
Praised. What good is a few bucks? Praise will motivate me to keep going, and make the real money.
Posted April 16, 2009
keepitreal12 says:
People think that money can get you everything. It can't give you a family!
Posted April 06, 2009
Blackchai says:
I'm self motivated, therefore don't need to praised by others. I get more out of giving the money to someone who needs it more that I do.
Posted March 21, 2009
Jesterzusmc says:
Unless I'm working for tips, I'd much rather be appreciated than paid-off.
Posted March 04, 2009
BlindOptimism says:
If it's only £5 or £10 then I'd rather be praised everytime. It shows you actually matter - you actually mean something to people.
However, increase that reward and the line becomes thinner. £50, for example? I could use that...in that case, I can get all the praise I need from my friends ;)
Posted March 03, 2009
Metalchic says:
Compliments in front of your peers and a talking me up to the team/dept/managers is much better!
Posted February 13, 2009
Forrest_Lamb says:
it's subjective. i would rather make a little money while feeling good about it. if it didn't feel good to make the money, i wouldn't want the money.
Posted February 13, 2009
Show Me the Money!
says:
money
Posted June 09, 2009
BestTeethWhiteningProducts says:
What's wrong with the people here who would rather be praised? This is America, so I would rather be paid. You can take your compliments and shove it! I would much rather have someone buy me a good lunch than hear that I look nice. I don't care how I look, but I do care about good food and not being hungry. If your boss gives you some more money you weren't expecting, then he/she doesn't need to tell you, "good job," because you'll know you're doing a good job.
Posted June 05, 2009
cjsysreform says:
Compliments can be confusing. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether a compliment is genuine or not, and if it turns out not to be, then you end up having to deal with this person who thinks you're going to give them something in return... whether you want to or not. Money is a lot more straightforward.
Posted June 03, 2009
DMarieLittle says:
Being paid money is part of being praised for your accomplishment. Though money is not everything it has its place.
Posted May 26, 2009
RickCarter says:
We don't have to choose one over the other. Money - being paid is praise. Someone thought enough of the value you created to give you value they created. We need to ditch the idea that there is money on one side on happiness on the other. Being paid money is always a positive thing.
Posted May 21, 2009
Maxius says:
I'd say money because that says as much as a compliment coming from someone that finds it hard to say good and encouraging things to others
Posted May 15, 2009
BrianWelch says:
I would rather be paid, I am confident in what I do, I don't need compliments to feel good about it
Posted April 23, 2009
The Study That Prompted the Conversation
By Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO, April 23 (Reuters) - Paying people a compliment appears to activate the same reward center in the brain as paying them cash, Japanese researchers said on Wednesday.
They said the study offers scientific support for the long-held assumption that people get a psychological boost from having a good reputation.
"We found that these seemingly different kinds of rewards -- a good reputation versus money -- are biologically coded by the same neural structure, the striatum," said Dr. Norihiro Sadato of the Japanese National Institute for Physiological Sciences in Okazaki, Japan.
"This provides the biological basis of our everyday experience that personal reputation is felt as rewards," Sadato said in an e-mail.
Sadato's team studied 19 healthy people using a brain imaging technique known as functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI.
Read the Rest of this Article
Do you Agree with the Study's Findings?
Forget Money, Load On the Praise
Forget money. Load on the praise! (Rewarding Employees).: An article from: Bank Marketing
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Title: Forget money. Load on the praise! (Rewarding Employees).
Author: Bob Nelson
Publication: Bank Marketing (Magazine/Journal)
Give Me a Big Pat on the Back
Compliments are Best
Add a link that proves why compliments are best.
Compliment Day
Compliments are a simple, yet powerful, relationsh more...1 point
How to Take a Compliment - Lifehack.org
Sep 24, 2007 ... A surprisingly large number of pe more...1 point
ComplimentBot 4000 | Refresh for more love
ComplimentBot 4000 is a random compliment generato more...1 point
compliment - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Definition of compliment from the Merriam-Webster more...0 points
Surrealism Server: Surrealist Compliments For All
Surrealism Server: The Surrealist Compliment Gener more...0 points
How To Give A Good Compliment - Life Coaches
Feb 13, 2007 ... There%u2019s nothing like a warm, more...0 points
Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners: Compliments, Charades & Horrible Blunders
by Josephine Ross
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (October 3, 2006)
Language: English
Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners: Compliments, Charades & Horrible Blunders
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/05/2009)
Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners is a light-hearted, insightful handbook written as if intended for her original Regency Era readers, and illustrated throughout with beautiful watercolors. When Anna, Jane Austen's young niece, sent her a novel for "literary comment," Jane loved everything about it, except its utter disregard for the manners of the day. The resulting and tender correspondence between the two serves as the foundation for this instructional book.
Etiquette and social behavior of the early 1800s come to life in lovely chapters teaching one on how to pay and return formal "calls," how to properly refuse a proposal of marriage, who should lead off the dancing at a country-house ball, and what to wear for a morning walk. Jane Austen used these daily customs and niceties to brilliantly illuminate the cloistered world of high society women in her timeless novels. Now with this delightful handbook of correct social behavior, readers will learn just why Mrs. Bennet of Pride and Prejudice couldn't call alone on her new, rich, bachelor neighbor and had to force the reluctant Mr. Bennet to do so%u2026even as he uttered "Tis an etiquette I despise."
An indispensable gift for any Austen fan, this beautiful book will prove irresistible to anyone wishing to go back in time to the atmosphere of their favorite Austen novels.
Give me the Money!
Money is Best
Post links that point out why you think money is best.
Nice France Airport
Compare the best France flight deals and access us more...1 point
Personal finance advice, ideas - Money Magazine on CNNMoney
Personal Finance and retirement advice, tips, and more...0 points
Money News: Financial, economy, stock market & real estate stories ...
News about financial markets, US economy, business more...0 points
Money.org | Home
Dedicated to the collection and study of coins, pa more...0 points
Money - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Money is any token or other object that functions more...0 points
About.com Business & Finance
Learn how to manage your money, make smart investm more...0 points
You're So Money
by Farnoosh Torabi
Publisher: Three Rivers Press (April 15, 2008)
Language: English
You're So Money: Live Rich, Even When You're Not
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 07/05/2009)
Your Good Life Starts Now
Live beyond your means but spend within them.
Take your steady out for that $350 dinner after the big promotion. You might just have to eat PB&J for a week to make it happen.
Splurge when it makes sense.
Buy the designer jeans you can't live without in your size, at full price. But you better walk away from last season's must-have sweater, even if it is 75 percent off!
Make more money with your money.
Invest in stocks to make the big bucks and start saving for retirement now.
You want to be debt-free in your swinging sixties.
Have it all . . . just not all at once.
Want a Mercedes more than anything in the world? You can make it happen . ..but probably not while sharing a summer beach house with your friends.
Finally a savvy, realistic finance book for those of us who love our Starbucks mocha lattes and Razr cell phones but don't want our Jimmy Choo shoes or Bose headphones buried under a pile of burgeoning debt. Twenty-something financial reporter Farnoosh Torabi tells you that you can satisfy your sophisticated tastes and achieve financial bliss.
The key: prioritizing your expenses according to what you want the most-splurging when you can and saving on other things. From sensible grocery shopping (yes, you can have your organic yogurt and eat it, too!) to cyberbanking, empower yourself to live a guilt-free, Gucci- and gadget-clad good life without sacrificing financial security.
Have You Ever . . .
Did Anyone Ever. . .
Which Did You . . .
On the Other Hand
What if it were a large sum of money? Say $50.00 or $100.00?
Would you still feel the same?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byNothing anyone could say to me would be worth more than a hundred bucks. I'll take the money!
GeoDitton says:
Well $100 is a pretty big compliment. Unless their trying to bribe you to shut up in which case just don't sign a contract then take the money & run! :)
A rough guestimate $100 is probably between £75 & £90 if I wait a couple more weeks the exchange rate will probably end up at 1:1 soon meaning £100. That's about a months wages on my current 6 hours, under 18 age band contract (unless I can find some overtime). I'll definitely have the money thank you!
If I ever get to the stage where I consider that to be just pocket change then I will look at the person offering it to me and if it's a lot of money to them then they can keep it, and if it's just pocket change to them too then I'll take it & give it to charity.
Posted February 03, 2009
lil_ana_b2 says:
In this economy? MONEY, ANY DAY! I don't care what the amount is!
Posted January 31, 2009
MariaB says:
I would especially feel happy with $50.oo or $100.00 in my pocket for something that I have done.
Posted December 18, 2008
cryptid says:
Give me the money. haha. Its still not "alot", but it has more value at $100, especially when I have to pay the bills.
Posted December 18, 2008
Karthik says:
A compliment is good, but financial remuneration is required. If I get praised and have a ton of accolades and If I am still paid less than the Jerk who sits and does nothing. The compliments mean nothing, end of the day
Posted October 29, 2008
kingkurt2001 says:
I'll take the money. I could always pay someone to give me compliments.
Posted October 16, 2008
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jeana900 says:
Yes, I would still feel the same. If I did not need the money to pay bills, and put gas in my car, then by all means the compliment may be enough. But since I do need the money for these and other things at the moment, I still say show me the money.
Posted August 24, 2008
jnscnl says:
If I get paid for something I did that is a compliment to me! I want the pat on the back that helps me pay my bills, my dog is happy with a pat because he has no worries. I know crazy me wants it all!
Posted August 23, 2008
A really nice compliment is worth more than any amount of money!
Trebor43 says:
It would be harder to turn down the money. But I still feel that a sincere compliment is worth a great deal. Everyone needs to know that someone appreciated their efforts. I do volunteer work at a hospital and feel they really mean it when they say Thank You.
Posted January 28, 2009
Spook says:
Sorry but I can't see a $100.00 as a large amount of money. Provided the compliment was sincere and well meaning. I think what people are thinking about is getting more money for nothing. Gee look how hard I'm working boss, can I have a fifty.
Posted November 19, 2008
nooranwer says:
NO! money is nothing for me. A really nice compliment is more worthy than money
Posted November 08, 2008
opalship says:
Earn the one YOU want, according to the circumstance, need and motive.
Posted September 02, 2008
alicia666 says:
I probably go for both. Money & Praise. If we have money and no complements from anybody. It's of waste. Sameway, if getting praised and no money is earned, then what's the use? There will not be any status for life. According to me both are needed.
Posted July 23, 2008
thakidinme says:
as in yes, i would feel the same. i try not to be materialistic or shallow. Life should be deeper and more meaningful than that. If you are speaking in terms of a tip, that is considered wages for services rendered, that's different.
Posted June 23, 2008
gabi_kiana says:
Posted April 26, 2008
fefe says:
As long as it was a REALLY nice compliment.... but if we started getting into the millions I might have to switch sides and be a sell out. :)
Posted April 24, 2008
Does Money Make You Smile?
Something Else to Consider
How about when it comes to your job? Would you rather be promoted in name only or is money the only way to your heart at work?
Would you rather receive a great title or a raise?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byGive me the title. It makes me feel important!
cjsysreform says:
If the title would give me more influence at work and more freedom to prioritize my own tasks, I'd take that over the raise. The "name only" promotion happens all the time in my field, and it isn't meaningless the way it can be in the corporate world.
Posted June 03, 2009
Jesterzusmc says:
If it's on the job, or from a friend, give me praise.
But man when I was a waiter before college, money talked!
Posted March 04, 2009
I'll take the money over a title anytime!
GeoDitton says:
Are you kidding?!? A bigger job title means more responsibility if your not going to pay me any more for it why would I want that extra responsibility that will result in me having to work longer and get more STRESSED!!! If I've got to be responsible I've got to be paid for it, otherwise I'll stick with my silly little title and the less work that goes with it.
Posted February 03, 2009
Trebor43 says:
I'll take the raise, I've done the title bit and itdoes not put food on hte table.
Posted January 28, 2009
MariaB says:
A raise. With more money I can go back to school and get more education and get the title.
Posted December 18, 2008
TessaGreen says:
This one's easy. I'll take the raise in a heartbeat. As well as the fact that titles mean absolutely nothing to me, a raise is a wealth and security builder. A raise means so much more money today, next payday, the one after that, etc...
(I love KingKurt2001's comment below - LOL)
Posted December 04, 2008
Spook says:
I'm going to go for a raise, but sometimes the two go hand in hand.
Posted November 19, 2008
kingkurt2001 says:
I'd still go with the money. I can always give myself my own important title in my own head.
Posted October 16, 2008
jeana900 says:
I'll want the raise. I can deposit that and use it for things I am need of or for gas, bills and food. A title to me is nothing more than a word they put on you. I can do that to myself. Sorry but give me the money.
Posted August 24, 2008
Which Song Title Better Suits You?
Vote For Your Favorite
Are you into Money, money, money, money; or TELL ME MORE compliments?
1
Pink Floyd - Money 0 points
2
Grease - Summer Nights 0 points
A Penny For Your Thoughts
Would your answers have been different if the economy were doing better?
Is there no higher praise than to be paid?
N376 posed this question to me in the forum and it got me thinking, Is there any praise higher than being paid? If so, what do you think it is? Leave your thoughts here, or vote for your favorite response.
1
I feel more appreciated by a kind word than by being handed a few dollars.
6 points
2
Money is the highest compliment anyone can give me.
4 points
3
A compliment goes a lot further than a couple of bucks.
4 points
4
A compliment borne of genuine appreciation is worth a lot.
4 points
Compliment Me!
Unless we're talking a substantial amount of money, I'll take the compliments. Go ahead. Lay it on thick. Compliments make me feel good and I can keep them forever. Money is nice but once I spend it, it's gone. So go ahead and compliment me! Leave me your praise. Hit me with a few stars at the top of this page. Favorite me. Join my fan club. I love it!
qlcoach wrote...
Wow. Your squidoo skills are fantastic. This is worth way more than 5 stars. I found you on Lensroll. Hope you will visit my new lens about emotional healing. Gary Eby, author and therapist.
Posted June 04, 2009
OhMe wrote...
Great debate. You have really gotten some good discussion going. Well done.
Posted May 07, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Nicely thought through subject; well done lens ~~ Blessed By Brenda.
Posted April 15, 2009
TopStyleTravel wrote...
Great debate, good questions. 5 stars! You are correct, the answer is not easy. Accepting praise or being paid depends upon the situation. Praise is great when it is genuine. Everyone like a nice gift once in a while also. The praise I value most is when it is due to my service to others for humanitarian reasons. Praise on the job is valuable too, it has been shown to make employees more productive. But employees should be paid for performance also when due. When it comes to tipping for professional services well done, it is the proper thing to do. Most importantly, the receiver of praise or money should always be gracious.
Posted March 16, 2009
kiwisoutback wrote...
Great Monkeybrain debate, good choice of a topic. It's got people talking!
Posted February 23, 2009
GeoDitton wrote...
Very fun, a clever little lens. I think I read a similar theory when I was studying motivation for my A-level Business studies. It was basically saying if you can't afford to pay people to work harder then if you compliment them they will feel appreciated and so do more for you. Overall I think a bit of both is best you need money to survive but compliments make you feel better. It all depends on the situation at the time. Any way great lens. Thanks :)
Posted February 03, 2009
Trebor43 wrote...
I enjoyed this lens. I was surprised by the number of votes for the compliment. I guess there is hope for us after all.
Posted January 28, 2009
squicool2 wrote...
They can praise me by paying me ! Why settle for just one or the other ?
Posted December 05, 2008
TessaGreen wrote...
Brilliant fun. You've done an extraordinary job here - I am in so much awe. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to have a lot of fun gassing away here. Very well done.
Posted December 04, 2008
Spook wrote...
Thoroughly enjoyed reading and participating in this lens. There is actually a lot more to think about. Thought provoking and brilliant. Congratulations.
Posted November 19, 2008
Margo_Arrowsmith wrote...
I was a waitress for many years. I have gotten lots of tips and lots of compliments, often compliments and bigger tips.
I have had people quietly give me a huge tip and not say a word. I have had people compliment me all night and leave a smaller tip or no tip.
The first always felt good, the second made me feel used.
A compliment with a normal tip was also ok, btw.
I guess it depends on the business, though. Some professions, tips are insulting or at least inappropriate.
Posted November 09, 2008
kingkurt2001 wrote...
Great lens. It kind of helps to put a perspective on things.
Posted October 16, 2008
EditionH wrote...
This question is without any relevance for real life ! Think about it: Did someone ever have the choice put up here ? We all want to get paid reasonable for the work we do and we also need praise to stay motivated in the job.
Posted October 07, 2008
Praise or Paid Photo Credits
Intro, Does Money Make You Smile photo appears courtesy of materials boy
Give Me the Money photo appears courtesy of emdot
Pat on the Back photo appears courtesy of _e.t
by rms
Hi! I'm Robin, one of Squidoo.com's Giant Squid Community Organizers and the Squid Citizen, Giant Squid Mentor which means I'm ready, willing and able...
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