making conversation

i've never been strong in the social graces, but i do try to be polite and gracious.

i need help with a standard response when someone compliments me. i've never been good at receiving compliments gracefully. for example, the other day at church a nice lady told me "you are pree-tee" out of the blue. my options, as i see it, are:

1. express appreciation for the complimentor's kindness and encouragement. something like, "it is very kind of you to say so, thank you." notice one need not necessarily reveal whether or not one believes the compliment to be true.

2. reciprocate. "why, thank you. so are you." gracious, but not always truthful. risk for seeming insincere.

3. lapse into the age-old culturally specific tradition of false humility and denial. "no, please. not at all. not like you." this message is not understood in all cultures, but is the expected response in some.

4. tell how i really feel. "FOOOOOOOOOOOLED YOOOOOOOOOOU!"

i gave option number two yesterday out of my habit of reciprocating, although i believe option number one to be the best one. i'm working on getting it built into my system. number four would be really hilarious to do to someone someday.