From Praise To “Glaze”: Understanding Compliment Culture
It is no surprise that with the rapid modernization of human civilization, language has also evolved and modified to suit one generation after another. The colorful array of slang words that are crafted and utilized throughout the years by each generation is a fun and defining feature that sets it apart from others. This brings us to one of many terms now used by Generation Z that have taken on meanings beyond their original definitions: glazing.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, glazing means “to coat with or as if with a glaze.” However, “glazing” has now also come to be associated with “the act of excessively praising or complimenting someone,” often to the point of awkwardness, which can make the said compliments seem insincere. This meaning originated from the concept of a glazed donut, suggesting a sugary coating of compliments that makes what lies underneath seem perfect. Although no clear creator has been identified, the term has spread like wildfire throughout online platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.
Such behavior is similar to flattery, a term not to be used synonymously with praise. Praise is defined as sincere and genuine appreciation, while flattery is often given to fulfill ulterior motives. When someone is accused of “glazing” another, they are suspected to be complimenting the other party with wrong intentions, such as currying favor to get something from someone. Because of this, flattery can be seen as a form of manipulation, wherein one feels obliged to help another in order to express gratitude after receiving compliments. This is commonly seen nowadays, especially in social media, where flattery feeds the ingrained need for validation found in humans.
When it comes to “glazing,” knowing that people can misuse the act of giving compliments can evoke doubt in the receiver. Praise now has a sense of ambiguity, making it hard to discern genuine appreciation from self-serving flattery and easy to assume that all expressions of admiration are dishonest. This is one of the reasons some people overthink compliments—admiration being inauthentic has become the default.
However, not all issues come from our society’s conventional—although unhealthy—behavior. Misalignment of the praise with the recipient’s self-image is an example of how internal struggles can affect our perception of compliments. Receiving such praise, especially for someone with low self-esteem, may lead to adverse effects such as impostor syndrome, a phenomenon characterized by self-doubt and the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite numerous proofs of competence. It may even cause one to question one’s identity, as they think they don’t actually deserve the compliment. Furthermore, according to The Cut, giving someone compliments can feel like “setting them up for high expectations,” which leads people to reject this admiration to avoid feeling obligated to live up to these expectations.
Perhaps the inclusion of “glazing” in our vocabulary will be able to raise awareness regarding the dangers of flattery, a reminder to all of us that praise should be given sincerely. Offering genuine compliments is always the best way to foster deeper and more authentic connections—after all, it’s not about the volume of praise we give, but the honesty and sincerity behind each compliment.
