Compliment Machine says you look fantastic

by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts), Posted Jul 26th 2007 at 10:54AM

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Filed under: Fashion, Stylish Living

Aren't compliments great? Even the completely fake conversations like: "I just love your shoes -- Oh really, thanks! I love your shoes!" are at least a little uplifting -- because, really, who doesn't want to hear that they look good?

That's the theory behind Tom Greaves "Compliment Machine," a bright red-and-white striped box that compliments passersby with statements like: "You have nice eyes."

He's loaded a total of 100 different compliments into an iPod Nano that he's stashed inside the box, that are then played at random throughout the day. Plus, Greaves periodically changes the rotation -- so every time you walk by you can learn a new positive thing about yourself.

"You look great in that outfit."
"That's a gorgeous smile."
"I love what you've done with your hair today."

There! Don't you feel better already?

Filed under: Fashion, Stylish Living
Tags: art, compliment box, ComplimentBox, compliments, public art, PublicArt

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

BERRY 7-28-2007 @ 6:23AM

ARE WE REALLY SO SUPERFICIAL THAT WE FEEL BETTER ABOUT OURSELVES BY GETTING COMPLIMENTS FROM A MACHINE!!!??? I DON'T THINK SO!

modelofiron 7-28-2007 @ 8:42AM

Seems harmless enough, unless it is annoying. I don't think I need an artificial ego stroke, but who knows? Maybe it will help others?

http://www.emarital.com where sexy guys, gals and couples go to hook up and let it all hang out. Hurry and join while the site is still FREE!

Effie 7-28-2007 @ 9:29AM

Actually, its called "self-talk" and it's this running dialogue we have in our heads that has a powerful effect on our self esteem and MOOD !
If we want to boost our moods and even change behavior, we need to start with the things we "tell" ourselves in our heads all day long. This is a proven psychotherapy method.

Jane Blase 7-28-2007 @ 9:54AM

Stupid idea....a sincere compliment is all that counts....from a human being! I can visualize it now...a blind woman wearing sunglasses walks by and the Ipod says, "You have lovely eyes"! Duh...

Marlene 7-28-2007 @ 9:42AM

Keep it right next to your dildo.

marsha 7-28-2007 @ 9:59AM

compliments should be sincere & from the heart... not habitual or automated. This does remind me that people like compliments....If you think something nice about someone.. Say It!

Karenjean 7-28-2007 @ 9:59AM

I tried this crap because I'm unpopular and thought it would keep the bullies from attacking me; everyone saw through it as the pathetic attempt to butt-kiss my way out of getting tortured that it was, and made my problem worse. I was better off keeping my mouth shut and doing what I always do; run like a banshee when I see a jerk heading my way.

Lee 7-28-2007 @ 10:36AM

Karenjean, my 16 yod has studied JUDO since she was 11 and she NEVER has to deal with jerks at her school, although she attends a school with 70% minority students who have horrible attitudes. It is KNOWN that she studies JUDO and they leave her alone. Try taking self-defense classes in your area, as they do alot to increase confidence.

v36love 7-28-2007 @ 10:52AM

THAT'S TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aveunvisola 7-28-2007 @ 11:11AM

sounds lame.

ZenLion 7-28-2007 @ 11:24AM

To LEE (#8): "with 70% minority students who have horrible attitudes"? You mean you've spent considerable one-on-one time with each one of these students, and judged every individual as having a horrible attitude? Where do you find the time?

Try taking prejudice and bigotry courses in your area, as they do a lot to increase intelligence.

henry 7-28-2007 @ 11:51AM

to #8, with a racist attitude like yours, why are you surprised that your daughter is having a difficult time? i guess the apple indeed does not fall far from the tree. you want to see horrible attitude? go look in the mirror.

IrishBanshee 7-28-2007 @ 1:15PM

First of all...Karenjean...a BANSHEE does not RUN...it pursues ! I would also like to agree with all others here who have commented that a genuine, heartfelt compliment is most desired, by most ! No one likes a "brown-noser" . A compliment that is given without honestly is worth absolutely NOTHING and I believe leaves the one recieving it with a feeling of sadness rather than a feeling of happiness and self-worth.

magy 7-28-2007 @ 12:59PM

SICK !!! Where are we heading to? A machine that compliments, (people who buy it) a toy for sex, a cell phone for text, emails , etc What an empty world we live in.. Very sad.

JustBecause 7-28-2007 @ 1:06PM

Lee (#8), you're an ass. I hope your daughter gets knocked out by someone in that other 30%....then maybe someone from the 70% can kick her while she's down. Wouldn't that be great? Minorities and Non-Minorities working together against idiots like you and your daughter. Bigot.

Judy Humphreys 7-28-2007 @ 1:11PM

Hey, I need all the help I can get! Wherever it comes from.

Haley 7-28-2007 @ 1:31PM

Do you ALL have to be pessimistic? Look at the positive side. For someone that is clinicaly depressed hearing a positive message, no matter who or what its from, is good. If you continue to hear a compliment you start believing it and therefore will have a more positive attitude towards themselves. And to number eight, I hear you. My daughter goes to a school with 90% minority students and its hard. They tend to gang up on the better off kids for no reason. My daughter is a black belt in three different forms of martial arts so they don't mess with her most of the time.

Hannah 7-30-2007 @ 1:46PM

Hi, I attend a public school where most of the students are minority... But in reality I am one of the minority because I am WHITE. THEY are the raciest ones of the bunch! So I know what #8's daughter goes through....

Michele 7-28-2007 @ 1:50PM

#8, This is something I'd like my daughter to do. She has Asperger's Syndrome, and has been picked on for YEARS now, some I know are things she takes the wrong way and doesn't understand, but others, these kids are just MEAN!!!!!!!!!!

Mary 7-28-2007 @ 7:01PM

I used to get so annoyed when the instructor on a work-out tape would say "You're doing great!" Like how did they know I wasn't watching from my recliner? Big phonies! But then, as time went on, I began to see that the words of encouragement were helpful. I really couldn't care less how sincere/insincere a compliment is; I appreciate them all!

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