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Comm-YOU-nication also enriches your social conversation. Gentlemen, say a lady likes your suit. Which woman gives you warmer feelings? The woman who says, 'I like your suit.' Or the one who says, 'YOU look great in that suit.'

Conventional compliments often take the form of judgments, however positive, and are sometimes intended to manipulate the behavior of others. NVC encourages the expression of appreciation solely for celebration. We state (1) the action that has contributed to our well-being, (2) the particular need of ours that has been fulfilled, and (3) the feelings of pleasure engendered as a result.

Grapevine glory A compliment one hears is never as exciting as the one he overhears. A priceless way to praise is not by telephone, not by telegraph, but by tell-a-friend.

Technique 55: The killer compliment Whenever you are talking with a stranger you'd like to make part of your professional or personal future, search for one attractive, specific, and unique quality he or she has. At the end of the conversation, look them right in the eye. Say their name and proceed to curl their toes with the Killer Compliment.

The killer compliment user's manual Just like a cannon, if you don't use the Killer Compliment correctly, it can backfire. Here's the user's manual that comes with the mighty missile. Rule 1: Deliver your Killer Compliment to the recipient in private. If you are standing with a group of four or five people and you praise one woman for being fit, every other woman feels like a barrel of lard.

Technique 57: The knee-jerk 'wow!' Quick as a blink, you must praise people the moment they a finish a feat. In a wink, like a knee-jerk reaction say, 'You were terrific!'

Technique 52: Carrier pigeon kudos People immediately grow a beak and metamorphosize themselves into carrier pigeons when there's bad news. (It's called gossip.) Instead, become a carrier of good news and kudos.

Technique 54: Accidental adulation Become an undercover complimenter. Stealthily sneak praise into the parenthetical part of your sentence.

verbal compliments are far greater motivators than nagging words.

Mark Twain once said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment."