National Compliment Day

National Compliment Day History

National Compliment Day is an international observance that focuses on spreading appreciation and positivity among people. It encourages participants to offer genuine compliments to others, reinforcing the power of positive interactions. In a society often focused on the negatives, this observance aims to shift our perspective to celebrate and recognise the good in people, promoting goodwill and uplifting spirits.

National Compliment Day is widely recognized around the world and in the United Kingdom. Though it is not a traditionally British observance, it has gained recognition in the UK over recent years. Acknowledging this day prompts individuals driving British society to express genuine appreciation for colleagues, friends, family, and even strangers. Recognising good qualities and achievements promotes a positivity culture, contributing towards more harmony and respect, values deeply regarded in the United Kingdom.

In the United Kingdom, National Compliment Day is observed in various ways, from personally complimenting individuals to launching workplace initiatives encouraging positive feedback. Schools use this day as an opportunity to enhance positive social interactions among students. Businesses have also been known to introduce activities that boost morale and engagement. It is noteworthy that whilst National Compliment Day is a global observance taking place on January 24th, this date holds true in the UK, with no unique British variation.

Top 7 Facts for 2026 National Compliment Day in the UK

• The upcoming observance of National Compliment Day on Saturday, 24 January 2026, is rooted in the efforts of American public speakers Kathy Chamberlin and Debby Hoffman, who established the event in 1998 to encourage the intentional verbalisation of appreciation for others.
• Research into the psychological impact of such interactions suggests that the brain’s striatum responds to a genuine compliment in the same way it reacts to receiving a monetary reward, triggering a significant release of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine.
• For many in the United Kingdom, the day serves as a timely antidote to the mid-winter gloom, as the founders specifically chose late January to help combat the peak of seasonal depression and the social fatigue often associated with Blue Monday.
• Linguistic enthusiasts often use the occasion to clarify the frequent confusion between the words compliment, which refers to an expression of praise, and complement, which denotes something that completes or brings to perfection.
• In British popular culture, the spirit of the day is often mirrored in iconic catchphrases such as the "fab-u-lous" verdict from the judges on Strictly Come Dancing or the classic "lovely jubbly" from the television series Only Fools and Horses.
• Beyond individual interactions, the event has inspired various social media challenges that encourage participants to acknowledge the unsung efforts of frontline workers, such as NHS staff and local educators, using dedicated hashtags to create a ripple effect of positivity.
• While this January event is a national observance, it is frequently followed by World Compliment Day on 1 March, an initiative started in the Netherlands by Hans Poortvliet that aims to be the "most positive day in the world."

In the News and Trending in the UK for National Compliment Day

Top things to do in the UK for National Compliment Day

• Consider unique compliments that might warm your friend's and family's hearts. Almost all compliments are appreciated, but if it's personal or unique to an individual it can mean a lot more.
• Spread positivity online. Compliment a stranger, like a friends post. Social media is the bridge between the online world and reality. There's someone on the other side of the screen so why not make them feel special?
• Watch television shows and films that relate to National Compliment Day in the UK:
  Downton Abbey - A British series showcasing the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants. It demonstrates the British culture and etiquette including the traditional way of giving compliments.
  Hyde Park on Hudson - A film about President Franklin Roosevelt's visit to the UK. There are scenes involving diplomacy and protocol which involve the art of complimenting.
  A Very British Romance - This Documentary presented by Lucy Worsley can give a ground-level idea about British compliments derived from British social manners while seeking love.
  Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - It's a movie set in Britain offering a unique perspective on the British way of life.