Is flattery always insincere?

As opposed to real praise, flattery is insincere and almost always has an ulterior motive. The Old English root word of flatter is flater, which originally meant "to stroke with the hand or caress." When you stroke someone's ego to get what you want, you're using flattery.
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Is flattery an insincere?

Definition of flattery

(2) : insincere or excessive praise He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
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What is insincere compliments?

Noun. Talk or praise used to charm, flatter, or persuade. sweet talk. flattery.
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Is flattering negative?

Although flattery has some negative connotations, it can often be just friendly politeness. Depends if one enjoys being flattered - or not. It depends entirely on the context and tone of speech. It depends on the perceived motive or intent of the one engaging in flattery.
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Can flattery be genuine?

Praise Fosters Trust; Flattery, Mistrust

It is tough to spot flattery if the flatterer is cunning enough to veil his words to sound like appreciation. A devious person could make flattery look like genuine praise.
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Genuine Compliment vs. Narcissistic Flattery



Is flattery manipulated?

Flattery is a type of manipulation. Under-confident people often use it to feel more powerful and to win approval. Passive-aggressive people use it to get their own way. It's widely used by people who want to get into the good books of others, or to help them achieve their own goals.
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What is false flattery?

When you use fake flattery, you give them false value and are basically trying to manipulate them and it always catches on.
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What is the purpose of flatter?

Flattery (also called adulation or blandishment) is the act of giving excessive compliments, generally for the purpose of ingratiating oneself with the subject. It is also used in pick-up lines when attempting to initiate sexual or romantic courtship.
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How do you deal with flattery?

So How Can Leaders avoid the Flattery Trap?
  1. Put up your Hedges. Establish boundaries for how people can engage you.
  2. Accept Compliments and Move On. ...
  3. Leverage Relationships to Achieve Outcomes. ...
  4. Stay Focused on Results. ...
  5. Commit to Consistency. ...
  6. Monitor All. ...
  7. Confront Equitably. ...
  8. Avoid Schmoosers.
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How do you respond to you flatter me?

Other ways to say “I'm flattered” to accept a compliment:
  1. “Thanks so much”
  2. “Oh I appreciate that”
  3. “Thank you for saying that”
  4. “That was such a nice thing to say”
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How do you respond to false flattery?

5 Effective Ways to Respond to Backhanded Compliments
  1. Ignore it. Staying silent doesn't mean you're letting yourself get pushed around. ...
  2. Say, "Thank you." ...
  3. Acknowledge the positive portion. ...
  4. Address the insult head-on. ...
  5. Keep your sense of humor.
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What is an example of flattery?

Flattery is defined as praise or compliments, usually exaggerated or false. An example of flattery is a person who's hoping for a raise telling their boss how great their new hair cut looks. (uncountable) Excessive praise or approval, which is often insincere and sometimes contrived to win favour.
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What do you call someone who compliments a lot?

flatterer. A person who lavishes praise, often insincerely; a sycophant: he is not allowing flatterers to deceive him.
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Does flattery mean appreciation?

Flattery is insincere and excessive praise that is given with a hidden intention. Appreciation is the recognition of the good qualities of someone and expressing your pleasure or gratitude to that person.
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Is the best form of flattery?

To imitate someone is to pay the person a genuine compliment — often an unintended compliment.
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What do you think about flattery?

Researchers say flattery works because it feels good when you're being flattered, even if you know that it may not be entirely accurate. “When someone flatters you, you reaction will depend on the person, the situation, and what they are saying.
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Do people like flattery?

Most people tend to not appreciate flattery accompanied by obvious ulterior motives, and consider themselves fairly adept at determining whose compliments are sincere and whose are BS.
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How do you respond when someone compliments you too much?

The direct answer would be "You don't need to flatter me." For a polite rejoinder you could use "Please, you are too kind. I will be glad to help." If you wish to be humorous you could say "Flattery will get you everywhere."
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What are fake compliments called?

Excessive praise or approval, which is often insincere and sometimes contrived to win favour. flattery. adulation. blarney. flannel.
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What is the difference between flattery and a compliment?

Both flattery and compliments are used to praise someone; however, there is a big difference between flattery and compliment. The key difference between flattery and compliment lies in the sincerity. Flattery is excessive or insincere praise whereas compliments are a genuine appreciation of something or someone.
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How can a person be ruined by flattery?

question. Praising falsely or with any mean intention is attributed as flattery. False praise is one of the main reason which catalyzes a person's downfall in a quicker way.
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Why do people resort to flattery?

Answer. Flattery is intended as praise and is meant to greatly please the person it is directed at. If the person is gullible/insecure, you can be sure that he/she will be appeased by it. It gives the person a false sense of both importance and appreciation.
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What does it mean when someone compliments you too much?

The too-frequent compliment.

Compliments can be subject to the laws of economics, meaning that the more often you give them out, the less they mean. By giving nonstop compliments, you seem insincere, and even if you genuinely feel this way, it would be best to keep some of those words of admiration to yourself.
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What is a false compliment?

A non-personal compliment is when you compliment something around that person. You can use these if you don't know someone well enough yet, or you're trying to avoid awkwardness, but you still want to say something positive. “Well, that wine looks great!” “Cool Zoom background.” “That food looks so yummy.”
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How do you tell someone to stop complimenting you?

7 Ways To Respond To Unwanted "Compliments"
  1. Throw Them "The Face" ...
  2. Ignore Them. ...
  3. Say "I Know" ...
  4. Change The Subject. ...
  5. Address The Elephant In The Room. ...
  6. Turn It Around On Them. ...
  7. Throw Them Off Guard.
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