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MATT HARVEY - resident of Totnes, writer of sharply witty poetry and prose, performer on the alternative circuit, radio 4 broadcaster, co-author of the captions in Stone's Glastonbury book... and new Connect columnist. Here's Matt's....
WITH COMPLIMENTS
STAYING with spelling, but stepping away from nudity, on my Poetry and Wordplay workshops I always ask people not to worry about spelling and grammar, but focus on writing what they feel like and letting it flow.
But there's one spelling mistake which does get to me, and, while no-one wants to come across as a repellent, smartarse, anally retentive pedant, I have to say the difference between 'complementary' and 'complimentary' therapy is worth noting. And so many complementary therapists, in their promo blurb, get it wrong.
Recently one said to me: You can spell it either way - it means the same thing. And I thought, right, time for the pedant's revolt.
There comes a time in every anal retentive's life when they have to stand up and be counted - to the nearest decimal point. So, here goes.
A complementary therapy, usually based on a holistic view of the patient, is used in conjunction with, and not as alternatives to, conventional medicine. A complement is that which fills up or completes.
A complimentary therapy is one you get free with something else: eg, an Indian head massage free with every 40 litres of unleaded petrol. (Strictly speaking this is a complimentary complementary therapy.)
To complement someone is, well, it's like Jack Sprat who'd eat no fat, and who's wife would eat no lean, and so between them both they licked the platter clean. There's was a complementary relationship, an early role model of sorts, although diet-wise they were very much of their time.
A compliment is an expression of admiration or praise: eg, "I love your top, Monica, it accentuates the Slavic majesty of your cheeks". Or 'Hmmm, Rupert, nice moussaka.'
Of course, such compliments, if offered without discernible sarcasm, could conceivably bolster self-esteem and pep up a flagging immune system. This other meaning of complimentary therapy leads into the area of affirmations and the placebo effect, a rich field which I intend to explore next issue.
I really think you're going to enjoy it. You are, you are, you are. Trust me. I'm adopted.
Matt Harvey
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