Compliment Landmines

Some compliments that feel natural in your language can cause problems in English. "You look tired" is never a compliment, even if you mean "you work so hard." "You speak English so well" can feel condescending depending on delivery.

The safest rule: if you would not say it to your CEO, do not say it to anyone at work. Stick to performance, effort, and professional choices. Save personal compliments for close friends and family where the relationship supports that level of familiarity.