Compliment in a right amount will help you become better but in the wrong amount it can be destructive. I never can deal with compliment. First, I rarely get a compliment so when I get it I feel like awkward. Some part feel so proud but other part feel off. It's kind of weird when I get a compliment, I start questioning do I deserve it because it's very rare for me to get one but I kind of feel like I deserve it, that is a recognition of hard work.
Since I get a right amount of compliment, I'm fine, it's not destructive for me. It's good to keep me going, productive and positive. Destructive part of compliment is when people keep getting it and make them fly, feel like over the moon and the worst part become a cocky human being. That attitude will bring you down straight away.
It's good to give a compliment after a hard work done, not because you need to give a compliment in return like you owe some, simply just because you appreciate things. It's easy to see flaw in everything, that's human. We tend to see something bad and complain rather than see something good and appreciate. But it will be great if we can see something good and appreciate it. You never know maybe that someone has given their 110% hard work, you might still see some flaws but take a look of the other side and give a little compliment for what they've done, it means a lot for them.
You don't have to reply the compliment straight away after you get it, because a "thank you" will be fine. You don't owe any compliment, you just need to give it genuinely and give it back when you feel they deserve one. Treat your tongue well by giving more good words than bad ones. Everyone will always notice bad stuff but small amount people notice good one. I prefer to be part of that small amount of people. Know the right time to open your mouth to give encouragement or to just shut it.
"The tongue is like a sharp knife, kills without drawing blood."
-vc-