Over the weekend, a new video became viral titled "Damn Daniel," in which a high school student named Daniel is overly complimented by his friend. This 30 second video is a combination of several mini clips of someone repeating "Damn Daniel" in the background due to his variety in wardrobe, and most importantly, his white Vans.
Strangely, "Damn Daniel" has become viral in two days, resulting in the two teenagers and white Vans becoming internet famous. Yet, this video isn't just another video that grabs our short attention spans. Damn Daniel is a reminder of the friend that overly compliments, even the days when you aren't looking your best. I strongly support a friend like Daniel's.
A friend like Daniel's isn't only there for support when you don't feel good about yourself. Sometimes re-assurance when you're looking good is deemed necessary. When I first watched the Damn Daniel video, my friends and I reminded ourselves about consistent reassurance that we need from each other. This isn't necessarily a sappy thing, but more of an extra confidence booster that tells us "You ain't the only one that thinks you look good today!"
Yet, there are times when our friend's reassurances helps when we're not feeling ourselves. Have you ever had a bad day, uncorrelated to physical matters, and your friend(s) come out of left field with a bunch of compliments? Even so, these compliments doesn't necessarily have to address physical attributes. Compliments that conditions the inner spirits are recommended as well. If your friend isn't feeling themselves after getting denied or failing a test, an extra booster to remind them of their mental attributes are amazing regardless of any setbacks. Reassuring statements such as "You're intelligent anyways" or "Girl, you don't need him. He needs you." are excellent starters.
Personally, I appreciate seemingly ratchet and obnoxious compliments from my friends. I tend to feel better about extraordinary compliments rather than soft and cliché compliments because it comes from the bottom of someone's heart. I love the extra boost of confidence that comes from my friends screaming "Yes!" after I've finished getting dressed or accomplished a goal. It's an extension of gratitude even though they know a simple comment will do.
Hence the reason why "Damn Daniel" was a statement that everyone can relate to, it's a genuine exchange between two good friends. A genuine friend knows the right time and place to give you an amazing compliment. Even the days you don't necessarily need to be complimented, the fact that they went out their way to give a compliment or gas your head to an extent shows a true meaning of friendship.
