Met a new badminton buddie recently. I don't know if they were sucking up a bit but they said my strokes look good. Anyhow, that's the way to make nice friends!
It really is nice when someone goes out of their way to compliment you. It can really make your day. There is one fellow around here who is just such a positive influence -- he can lift your game with an encouraging word more than all the 'helpful' tips that others might bark at you between points.