How not to accept a compliment

I know it isn’t a direct result of my having had an eating disorder, but I can’t help believing that ana’s influence contributed to my lifetime inability to accept compliments.

I am beginning to think I could have my own television show entitled:  “How not to accept compliments.”  I’m serious.  I really have it down to an art.

Case in point — I think I’m rather unattractive.  Not hideous, but not pretty.  Somewhere in between.  (For the record, my hubby (is he blind?) thinks I’m hot and sexy and all that good stuff.  Whatever.  I just roll my eyes and get all weirded out.  Sometimes I say, “Thanks.”  But even that doesn’t happen too often.)

Last night, a female neighbor told my husband, “Your wife is really beautiful.”  He answered, “Yes, inside and out.”  (Which was a really nice thing to say.)

A gracious person would have listened to this story and said to her husband, “Wow.  What a nice thing she said!  That makes me feel great!”

I, however, started making jokes to avoid dealing with the subject:  “Yeah, right… what does she want?” -and- “Oh, great… is she looking for a couple to ’swing’ with?  I just don’t have time for that!”

I really could not just accept the compliment.  And I’m not fishing for them now, either.  It’s just so deeply ingrained in me that I don’t deserve to hear positive things said about me that I can’t seem to overcome it.

Can you accept compliments?  Or are you in this boat, too?

(Oh, and don’t get me started about when people say, “You have nice legs” or something like that.  I just get all freaked out and have to dispute their claims.  It’s so irrational and horrid.  Help!)