Final answer:
To effectively compliment or complain to a partner, specific and clear statements should be used. Vague comments are not helpful, while specific and clear feedback provides clear understanding and guidance for improvements or reinforces positive behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person wants to compliment or complain about something to their partner, they should ideally use specific and clear statements. Vague comments are the least helpful because they do not provide concrete feedback or suggest ways to improve. On the contrary, specific and clear comments not only explain what is good or in need of revision but also offer concrete suggestions for how the partner can address the issue. For instance, instead of saying 'You're not attentive', one could say 'I feel neglected when you don't ask about my day. Could we try to spend 10 minutes talking about our day each evening?'
When complimenting, it's also important to be specific. Rather than a vague 'You're great', you could say 'I really appreciate how you always make time for family dinners; it means a lot to everyone.' This way, you reinforce the positive behavior and make the person feel valued for their specific actions.