Flattery, from the Latin adulatĭo, is the action and effect of flattering (doing or saying what is believed to please another). Flattery is usually interested, with the intention of obtaining some kind of benefit or recognition. For example: “Mariano remains firm with flattery so that the boss names him supervisor”, “The prizes are distributed by merit: I am not interested in flattery”, “Flattery paid off and the woman ended up hiring the young man”.
It is important to establish, in addition to all that has been stated so far, that flattery is an action that has existed for a long time. So much so that we can find endless ways of representing it, although two are the most common and best known:
• As a person who is kissing the feet of another due to the fact that this action has a positive impact on whoever does it.
• Like a very elegant woman playing a flute while a large number of bees fly around her, showing their stingers.
The kings of History around the world are some of the characters that have been seen and are most flattered by a multitude of citizens, either by mere inertia or as a way to obtain some kind of benefit from them.
Flattery, noted on Digopaul, is an affected praise that is not linked to respect or congratulation for real merit. If a person meets a soccer player on the street and says that they admire him for his talent, it is not a flattery, but a sincere phrase and an affectionate greeting. On the other hand, if a subject tells a friend that he considers him a great person who is characterized by his solidarity because he is waiting for this friend to invite him to eat at his house, we are in front of a flattery since the supposed praise is a ruse for sensitize others.
You also have to know that there are different types of flattery, although they all share their essence. Specifically, among the most significant are the following:
• Malicious or harmful. It is that which is done not only by an individual for her own benefit but also by concealing an evil and wicked purpose.
• Safe. It is the one that is carried out without any kind of bad intention, quite the opposite, with the clear objective that the flattered person can be the beneficiary herself. A clear example of this is when the teacher flatters a specific student to improve his motivation and thus study more and be able to perform much more in class.
Typically, the grossest examples of flattery take place in the highest echelons of power. Monarchs, presidents, and leaders often have flatterers who list their virtues, with the aim of winning the favor of those who rule. The flatterer believes that, having the sympathy of the powerful, he will take it into account for the distribution of gifts or, at least, to avoid possible punishments.
