Reno Airport unveils new push to spread joy just in time for National Compliment Day

Beyond Wi-Fi and generous squirts of hand sanitizer, there's aren't that many useful or life-enhancing things you can get for free at airports anymore.

But on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, travelers passing through Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) will be showered with free compliments in honor of National Compliment Day.

RNO's "Kindness Take Flight" team, which works hard to spread joy in the airport year-round, will go into overdrive on Monday to dispense free compliments from a special kiosk set up in the airport's main lobby.

Starting at 9 a.m., the team will deliver compliments such as "That color is perfect for you," "I bet you sweat glitter," and "You are glowing," to passengers, meters and greeters, and airport employees. The nice-fest will continue "until the complement of compliments are exhausted," says airport spokeswoman Annie Turner.

Related: Reno Airport asks passengers for New Year's resolutions

For those who would like to take their compliments, such as "Your smile is contagious" or "You're more fun than bubble wrap" with them, RNO has also prepared flyers with tear-off compliments. Passengers and employees will find these posted at airports stores, restaurants, airline and rental car counters, and at the security checkpoints.

"We need positivity now more than ever," says Turner, who encourages travelers to snap photos of the compliments booth and the compliments they see posted around the airport on social media using the @renoairport and #NationalComplimentDay tags.

The last time RNO hosted a free compliment kiosk was in 2014 and back then the charming and talented staff dispensed kind words to passengers about everything from their smart choice of eyeglass to their strong strides.

"One man appeared very stressed and quickly passed by the booth with a serious, determined look," one Kindness Team member remembers, "And the compliment given to him was, 'My you have a very strong gait.' He stopped dead in his tracks, looked back, and smiled."

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While National Compliment Day is an offbeat, unofficial holiday first celebrated in 1998, there are serious benefits for travelers who make the effort to both give and receive compliments anytime, says Michelle Rozen, a motivational speaker who calls herself the Change Doctor.

"Getting into the habit of giving genuine compliments to other people around us helps tremendously with the stress of traveling and with your stress in general," she told TPG.

"When you get a genuine compliment from someone, your blood pressure decreases because your body produces hormones that relieve your stress and anxiety. That makes sense because when someone compliments you, they make you feel good about yourself and as a result, your stress level decreases."

Rozen says there's also scientific research that confirms that smiling and complimenting others can significantly improve your well-being as well. "Compliments benefit the giver of the compliments just as much. Because adopting the habit of giving compliments helps you notice and appreciate what's good and helps you develop a positive mindset."

We're confident that you, being the smart, savvy, and experienced traveler that you are, will have no trouble thinking of some very nice compliments to dispense to those around you on National Compliment Day. But in case you need a few more, here are some additional compliments from Reno Tahoe International Airport's free compliment starter kit:

• I bet you make babies smile.
• Everything would be better if there were more people like you.
• Who raised you? They deserve a medal for a job well done.
• On a scale of one to ten, you're an 11.
• You have a spring in your step that is brightening my day.