Sometimes the simplest gestures are the most powerful.
Picture two college students at Purdue University deciding to embark on a personal mission to brighten the day of passers-by on their college campus every Wednesday – rain or shine – for 2 hours from 12:30-2:30.
The sophomores, Cameron Brown and Brett Westcott, stand outside on campus holding a sign that says “Free Compliments” and offer spontaneous compliments to each person who passes them.
The compliments are often as simple as commenting on someone’s clothes, backpack, smile or even their shoes. Calling themselves the “mailmen of compliments”, they cheerfully offer goodwill and compliments without missing a Wednesday, regardless of the weather, for eight months in a row.
Their motivation has no strings attached. It is not a psychology experiment and they are not affiliated with any organization or group. They simply wish to brighten the days of those who pass by, acknowledging that the tough economic times have dampened spirits and enthusiasm. If they can spread their own positive energy, they feel that they have reached their goal.
The charming sincerity of their efforts has generated positive reaction on campus and the news media has begun spreading their story beyond the reach of the campus or the environs of West Lafayette, Indiana. I live in Rhode Island and saw an article about them in the daily newspaper the Providence Journal. They have been written about in the Chicago Tribune, can be seen on Youtube and recently were on Good Morning America, bringing their act to Times Square.
Watch Free Compliment Guys go to New York City at the ABC News Website.
How has it affected me? Yesterday I found myself thinking of them and trying harder to be friendly and kind while working with the public at the public library where I am employed.
I’m rather taken with the idea of random acts of kindness and my personal spin on this approach contains underpinnings found in the philosophy of my meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy. Sri Chinmoy’s life was a continuing example of seeking to see the best in people, encouraging them to believe in themselves and emphasizing the positive. I end with a quote from a book of his writings called “A Heart-Offering Life”:
Inside a self-giving purity-heart,
I see always a thousand smiles shining brightly. -Sri Chinmoy
Keep up the good work Cameron and Brett! You certainly are helping to create “a thousand smiles shining brightly.”
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Hey nice article. 🙂
This makes a nice change! A couple of years ago I saw a guy in St. Mark’s Place offering free insults! He had a queue! That’s New York for ya! A long way from the fine folks in Indiana! God bless ’em!
Glad you liked the story Richard and Pavitrata. Having grown up in the Midwest of the U.S. myself, I have to admit that there is a certain style of friendliness there that could be supporting the success of their efforts vs. the short experiment they tried in Times Square.
I saw the guys at a park on N. Michigan Ave in Chicago on Sept 10th. What a fantastic idea. Then, at a church in downtown Columbus, Ohio, they had a banner with some compliments written by people inspired by these guys. I would like to start up a compliment booth in Columbus, Ohio. I hope their idea isn’t copyrighted !! Any suggestions how to start one ?
Hi David,
I did a quick search on the Web and saw this Toledo Blade article that talks about how Kodak hired them to go on tour this summer with their compliment giving inspiration. In the article, one of the compliment guys writes,
“I am just ecstatic that this little idea I had, that this random act of kindness, has blown up into such a big thing,” Mr. Westcott said. “I’m having kids who are messaging me online asking me if they can start free compliments at their school.” For the record, you don’t need his permission, Mr. Westcott said.”
There is also a website about the Kodak Tour Brightside.com. I would visit the blog and get further inspiration. Then I say – just go for it. Maybe find a partner to join you and dive right in.
good luck!