I want to live in a city that praises...

When I was little, I always heard: "If you do well, that's what you should do. Don't be arrogant."

If you get high marks on a school exam, the teacher might just say, "Keep trying next time."

The family was even more direct: "Don't be so happy, your neighbor Ah Ming also got 100 points."

As you grow up, over time you'll find yourself developing a strange ability: to appreciate things from the heart and keep your mouth shut.

Even though I admire the people around me for doing well and performing well, what I say comes out as, "Okay, fine."

"You're so awesome", "I appreciate you", "You performed well today" are words that I just can't say.

Foreigners, on the other hand, are different. I remember once after a meeting with a foreign colleague, he told the whole team that I had done an "Absolutely brilliant" job, then patted me on the shoulder and added, "We're lucky to have you on the team."

I didn't know how to react at that moment. I just laughed, said "Thanks," and left. When I got back to my seat, I felt a little awkward, as if I had done something wrong.

But to be honest, I'm happy inside. It's never painful to be affirmed by others.

Perhaps this is how our entire society grows up: we don't praise people, we're afraid of people becoming complacent and arrogant, and as a result, it has become a culture: we don't say anything good, and we just criticize it.

My generation has always suffered from the criticism of the previous generation.

Growing up, I got used to hearing "You can do something better", "You're not hardworking enough", "You're not as human as you think".

People change and subconsciously treat those around them, even the next generation, in this way.

Sometimes, looking at my son, I realize he's already achieved an 80% score.

But my first question was still: "Why did you get that question wrong?"

I knew it was wrong as soon as I said it, but my reaction time was too long, and it just came out unconsciously.

So I'm practicing hard now. Praise is not spoiling, nor is it being without principles.

It is a form of encouragement, a source of strength, and helps the other person recognize their own value and go further.

I don't want to pass on a culture of criticism, and I don't want my son to grow up unable to say "You did a good job."

I didn't expect him to be someone who is very grateful in his heart, but never knows how to say thank you.

Therefore, I hope that one day, I can live in a "Praise City",

It's not just about criticizing, comparing, and putting others down.

A person who hears just one or two words of appreciation every day may become different.

We use words to influence people every day, so why don't we praise and encourage them more?

A word of praise won't make you lose anything; on the contrary, it will make the world a better place.

# won't die if you give a thumbs up. # Hong Kong shouldn't just be good at criticizing # I want to live in a city that praises