When it comes to being complimented by some and insulted by others, which makes the greater impression on you? Are you more likely to hold on to the insults more, or do you more keep in mind the positive gestures?

I think it depends on from whom the compliment or insult come from. If the insult came from someone who didn't know me, it would probaby stay with me longer than a compliment from someone I knew.

Insults.

Compliments generally. 'Insults' don't bother me too much, esp if you're someone I don't know or you're someone I don't like. You can go fuck yourself and my insult in response would generally be much harsher.

Compliments. Insults usually don't bother me much, depends on who it came from.

I would say that compliments stick with me the most. Insults from people I don't really like barely affect me at all and insults from people I love and respect I usually brush off as (they don't really mean that). So insults don't really stick with me for that long. But usually when someone pays me a compliment, it tends to stick with me and reinforce my self confidence/self esteem. Even something as simple as someone telling me that I'm a "nice guy" makes me feel happy and is something I'll always remember that person saying.

Insults stay with me much longer.

I have to say they are the same. For as much as the sting of an insult sticks with me, the elation I feel from a compliment has the same staying power.

I think the both stay with me equally as long as the other, but the criticism or insult tends to stick out in my mind more.