Esther McCarthy: Why are Irish women of a certain age so very bad at taking a compliment? 

When I see teenagers lolling around the Mac counters, it triggers me. I'd like to see them make themselves look good with a pan stick, ghost lipstick and clear mascara

Esther McCarthy. Picture: Emily Quinn

WHAT? This old thing? No, it’s years old. It cost tuppence. It’s the wrong colour for me. Here, YOU TAKE IT.”

Behold, the average reaction of an Irish woman getting a compliment. It could be a tracksuit pants, or a ballgown. It doesn’t matter. But it begs the question: Why are we so spectacularly bad at taking compliments?