When was the last time you were complimented by someone or did the same to someone else?

Social media and the pandemic have been having a direct negative impact on our self-esteem and mental health, and compliments have fallen out of favour due to the critical attitude that, more and more, we adopt towards ourselves and others. The act of complimenting not only strengthens self-esteem, it also increases people’s motivation. Receiving a compliment often makes us believe in ourselves, like what we see in the mirror, or even puts a smile on our faces on a day that’s not going so well. Giving and receiving the best someone has to offer, teaches us that kindness is something intrapersonal.

Showing that a good compliment is transversal to all eras and that kindness is far from being out of fashion, were the goals that marked the most recent project of Agora Aveiro, “Banca dos Elogios” (Compliment Booth). Over a vintage setting, with materials provided by Antiqualha, it was impossible to remain indifferent to the structure that stood near the “Laços da Amizade” Bridge.

The volunteers handed out cards with positive personalized messages, written in real time, by hand or using a typewriter, to those that passed by them. The motto “brighten your everyday life” couldn’t have been better applied and, on the “World Gratitude Day”, many smiles were obtained from a simple gesture that highlighted the importance of reminding people how special they are.

“Banca dos Elogios” is part of the “Random Acts of Kindness” project. It was made in association with Antiqualha, Fórum Aveiro and Quero Imprimir. It also had the the support of Câmara Municipal de Aveiro, Corpo Europeu de Solidariedade and Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude I.P..