People have sometimes complimented me for something that I have done, and many times, I have had a hard time responding in an appropriate way. It has been embarrassing for me, and even though I know it was an honest compliment, I sometimes fail at an appropriate answer, a simple “thank you!” Even when I knew, in my heart, that they are not being dishonest with insincere flattery, they may have interpreted my response as if I hadn’t thought or believed they were sincere. When praise is too loud or too ongoing, then I wonder if it is sincere or just plain flattery. I remember being with a friend who was trying really hard to get some positive pats on the back for something he had done, and he was rather boisterous in his bragging. My response was the same way, I overdid my patting his back, and I was also boisterous in my praise of his story. I was insincere on purpose because he needed to know that he was being overzealous in his bragging. If he were that boisterous around someone not his friend, he may have been hurt. But I could get away with my response, and he got the message. I was reading an interesting article the other day about a Lakota Indian Chief ’s wisdom. I was impressed with many things that he had to say and thought that we could all learn from his down-to-earth wisdom. In regards to flattery, he said: “Praise, flattery, exaggerated manners and fine, high-sounding words were no part of Lakota politeness. Excessive manners were put down as insincere, and the constant talker was considered rude and thoughtless. Conversation was never begun at once, or in a hurried manner. Children were taught that true politeness was to be defined in actions rather than in words. They were never allowed to pass between the fire and the older person or a visitor, to speak while others were speaking or to make fun of a crippled or disfigured person. If a child thoughtlessly tried to do so, a parent, in a quiet voice, immediately set him right.” Historically, when I think of the cruelty and hatred directed toward Native Americans, it brings a tear to my eye. If our ancestors had been more willing to listen to them, they could have learned many wise and valuable things. There are those in our modern society that thrive on flattery, and they never appear to tire of it. There are, without a doubt, a layer of every society that live on shallowness. I have sometimes listened, for a few minutes, to a show I believe is called Entertainment Tonight. The whole show highlights Hollywood stars and those who entertain. The show itself entertains people who are interested in who among the stars are getting married or divorced, who is dating who, etc. It is kind of like living on the appetizer or the dessert but never really biting into the steak. To be in the limelight is a form of flattery, even when the story is negative. “If they talk about me, I’m important!” Our modern society has a lot of shallowness or areas in our lives where there is little substance. Shallowness can only carry a person so far in life, and then they have to find something or someone who will bring them out of the cloud—someone who will make them feel real, pinch them, or whatever is necessary to bring them down to earth, even if it hurts to do so. Flattery may make a person feel important for a time, but in the long haul, they will realize that they have been driving on flat tires. Flattery has no substance; it is as a balloon suspended in air, pumped full of helium that sooner or later leaks out and leaves them empty and descending faster than they would like. Lakota wisdom would be good for our society. “Praise, flattery, exaggerated manners, fine, high-sounding words, and excessive manners were put down as insincere, and the constant talker was considered rude and thoughtless.” Flattery or light-minded talk is without substance and may eventually find you alone and without friends.