Technique #4: The art of giving a compliment that's just out of reach
Step 1: Find someone who's doing something marginally well
Step 2: Say it out loud, but make sure to say it while looking away
Step 3: Follow up with "but, you know, you could be better"
Technique #5: The Conditional Praise - For when the compliment's too much work
or
Technique #5: The Silent Tolerate - For when you just can't be bothered