Saying to the praise, I find to be optimal. It's really the state of the heart of a person which matters. If the praise is true, then you must deep down from your heart attribute it to Allah alone that He has blessed you with it and that you are in no position to ever attain such a blessing if it wasn't from Him . If it isn't true, you can just sincerely say 'may Allah make me such or bless with me such'. Don't try to practice an eloquent response. Whatever is in the heart will manifest itself on the tongue, . Try to memorize this du'aa from the Sunnah for when someone praises you: http://www.muftisays.com/archive/top...s-praised.html Allaahumma laa tu'aakhidhnee bimaa yaqooloona, waghfir lee maa laa ya'lamoona [waj'alne khairam-mimmaa yadhunoon] "Oh Allah do not call me to account for what they say & forgive me for what they have no knowledge of [andersio make me better than they imagine]"