Looking back on life, it’s the criticisms that I remember more clearly than the compliments. I remember the names in elementary school or the times when people teased me about being overweight. The nice things that people said have taken a back seat.
I recently heard a quote that it takes 1,000 compliments to erase one insult. If it’s true, then we’ve got our work cut out for us.
To help spread the love, I made this week’s video while in New York City. I had the help of a sexy and talented NYU film student for the camerawork – and I’m absolutely thrilled with the result. It’s my new favorite video. And maybe it will be one of yours, too.
After you watch it, please share the love – and the compliments – by posting it on Facebook.
December 15, 2011 at 11:16 am
OMG! i love your red high tops…
December 15, 2011 at 1:27 pm
In the spirit of criticisms being more helpful than compliments, I make the following: The piece is far too long. The filming and editing are good, but the treatment ( a ninja boy placing nice signs around New York) doesn’t go anywhere. There is no development, no change, no reaction, except someone taking a picture of one of the signs. This would make a nice 60 second piece, but at 2 and a half minutes it becomes boring.
December 16, 2011 at 2:51 pm
I disagree. A day in the life of Davey Wavey. What could be better? The Big Apple at night always has a magical quality and the music carried me along. I enjoyed reading Davey’s cool compliments. In a culture where compliments are so rare, Davey’s are a good reminder of the importance of social grease. They are just simple ways of making friends and influencing people, especially strangers. You go, guy!
December 17, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Is very rare to see someone doing this kind of stuff and to have the guts to go out and express his love and feelings to people. David is always doing something nice to help others. He makes us go ahead and never give up on life. He is just so in love with life and is not afraid of sharing his true love with us all…And if you really didn’t like what he did then why don’t you just go along and do it yourself, and stop hating on this guy? Peace out.
December 20, 2011 at 6:19 am
Fernando, this isn’t exactly the selfless act you make it out to be. It’s not like Davey’s doing it anonymously–he’s doing it in front of a camera to ultimately gain YouTube views ultimately pay his bills. It all comes back to him in financial form. Everything he does is very calculated, don’t drown in the Kool Aid.
December 20, 2011 at 6:41 am
Or maybe Davey does it to keep cynical deadbeats like Jiggy entertained. It’s not like we have to put a quarter in the slot to view the show.
December 15, 2011 at 2:22 pm
That was really wonderful Davey. I symbolically tear off a “Thank You” and say back to you, “You’ve really changed my life for the better more than you’ll ever know!” HUGS
December 15, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Adding to David’s constructive criticism of this well-intended effort, I’ll just note that being told by an anonymously posted, clueless sign that my hair looks great today would not make me feel complimented (though I might smile at the whimsy of someone who thought it might). When one of my sons came home from his new school (middle school) with tears in his eyes because he wasn’t able to sit at the “cool jocks” table during lunch even though he was a superb athlete, I suggested he throw some compliments in their direction and ask for advice (stressing the importance of his comments being credible). A week later, he came home beaming because he’d been invited to join the jocks for lunch.
December 17, 2011 at 11:50 pm
A gal having a bad hair day might be bemused by Davey’s sign. It never hurts to lighten up.
December 15, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Good video, but I have to agree, a bit to long. It was a good idea, the face being covered was way over the top. Looked liked you were out to rob people.
December 15, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Davey, you are my inspiration every day.
For exercising, for eating right, for trying to better myself in every way (mentally and fitness wise). Thank you for all that you do, really! Because you’ve helped me change my life.
Love you Davey.
December 15, 2011 at 3:40 pm
PS: I thought the video was fantastic. The negative comments kind of brought ME down.
December 17, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Please don’t allow them to do that to you… “You look great today”…
December 15, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@Davey Wavey:
Great thoughts/actions,Davey !!
You’re right about the power of crticism,especially hostile criticisms,or insults over compliments and support:Years ago,when I was teaching,I got evaluations for the same corse from 3 classes.The results from one class were mixed,but mainly positive. From the second,overwhelmingly negative_accused me of being not only incompetent,but of being on all sorts of drugs[most of which I'd never heard of],and were completely insulting. The third:Overwhelmingly positive_call me one of the few true professionals at that school. Emotionally__Guess which one stuck?!?
Don’t know about the hoodie mask,Davey,even though the red is nice.What next?_the Black Spark?!!!
December 15, 2011 at 9:08 pm
What is a “corse?”
December 15, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I would love a template for that. That would be awesome.
December 15, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Wow Davey! I loved this!
The only thing I didn’t love is the negative comments… Where’s your YouTube channel where you’ve even attempted something like this?
As it has been said: “Criticism is the death gargle of a non-achiever!”
December 15, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@Scottie:
Scottie:What criticisms?! BTW:When you click on the video,it automatically goes to youtube.Otherwise,search youtube for Davey Wavey,Davey Wavey Raw,or Wickydewy.
notes from a gargling non-achiever.
December 15, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Damn! You is one sexy ninja! Wa cha!
December 15, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Who wants to do this in Dayton?
December 16, 2011 at 3:01 pm
You do. You’re the one looking for love in all the wrong places.
December 15, 2011 at 6:12 pm
I guess a few people here didnt really get the whole message of the video….
Well Done Davey…. Im sure your notices made more than a few people smile from within.
December 15, 2011 at 6:42 pm
There are lots of ways to film and edit messages. But above it all, it’s about the message which, in this case, is really worthy of following through on. Thanks, man!
December 15, 2011 at 7:08 pm
I was a little disappointed by the video, maybe it does not translate to Australia well.
December 15, 2011 at 8:11 pm
That was cute
December 15, 2011 at 11:47 pm
@Handcock:
Handcock:I meant to type course,of course.
You have a perfect name:Jerkoff.
i
December 16, 2011 at 12:33 am
Great vid. Davey, what’s the sound track? I love it.
December 16, 2011 at 2:13 am
professionally done video absolutely-spreading love hope-not despair-but then again its NYC.maybe in Brooklyn-Queens-Staten Island-The Bronx-but not Manhattan-most people in Manhattan need no help.its the outer boroughs.Jersey too.——but when its compliments-give them widely.dont spare the effort.last time i dated a woman-and i revealed to her i was gay-she told me something i will never forget-she told me you get better on in life with friends when you see their positive side and give them compliments when they deserve it and you do it-you really mean it.she was so right.the friends i have deserve good compliments-ive gone out of my way on a few friends-they dont ever forget it.maybe too much-but i see in them goodness.and they give it back-the compliments-thats what keeps me going on in life.one of my best friends got a job labour day weekend-i was on my second interview-my job fell through-i was crushed-because i was on the second interview and was given my hour assignments-manager was replaced-and so was my job opening.my friend who got his job-we celebrated-gave him a gift-to remember me by-it really wasnt needed-yet i layed my head on his shoulder-and he gave me courage to press on-havent found a job yet-have since been dissapointed yet again.my father tells me i will never find another job-at least not now.but my friend has faith in me-and beleives in me-he knows im worth it.thats what friends are for.thats what those numerous compliments are for-i will get by.so you see your friends-compliment them-they will return the favour.this friend of mine btw-isnt gay.why have i spent so much time with him-he is worth it.compliments compliments-they go well with friends.
December 16, 2011 at 2:25 am
@christopher:
christopher:GOO.
December 16, 2011 at 9:27 am
I love you davey, but artsy videos like this just don’t work for you, it feels just as pretentious as lady gaga is at times. You’re too much of a, as my friend put it, “football frat-guy gay” for me to take this seriously.
December 16, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I just want to say thank you Davey. I honestly believe that it is people like you who are changing the world for the better. Each and every positive thing you do is a nudge in the right direction, no matter how small. As for this video, I thought it was brilliant. I have been on the receiving end of many negative comments and your video made me smile. I know that if I was walking home from school after having had a bad day, or just got off the subway after a bad day at work, seeing one of your signs would have let some of the light shine in. Thank you again for all that you do, and please never change.
Peace, Love and Happiness to you.
Merry Christmas!
December 16, 2011 at 1:12 pm
What’s the background music, Davy?
December 16, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Where the hell did you find payphones?! I guess anyone still using them could probably use a little pick-me-up. I love that you do things like this. It makes the tiny old curmudgeon in me want to call you a hippie. If he scoffs I smile. I thought it was illegal to wear masks in NYC.
December 16, 2011 at 2:51 pm
That was the best video ever! Completely inspiring and true…Because it really can only take one compliment to turn a person’s day around.
December 16, 2011 at 10:02 pm
I have a bumper sticker that says “Practice Random Acts of Kindness”. If each one of us was to say something kind to another person, friend or stranger, or to do something kind, each day, just think of how many people would be touched.
It has been said that when you do something kind to another person, that person is also motivated to do something kind for someone else. Kindness becomes contagious.
December 16, 2011 at 3:09 pm
I’ve never seen a hoodie with a built-in face mask. The red high tops are a knockout. even in fashion-jaded New York. Maybe Davey should start his own clothing line. I want a ballcap with the Davey Wavey logo (terra cotta or persimmon will be fine). I’m so tired of looking at sportswear with team insignia emblazoned all over them. We have our own team.
December 18, 2011 at 12:04 am
Love is reflected in love. The negative and the cynical just don’t get it.
December 20, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@Jiggy:,@JoelJ:
Jiggy,you certainly are cynical.Admittedly,for some skeptical old farts [like me],D.W. can sometimes come off as a bit maudlin,but one should never doubt his good intentions! I liked Davey’s reply, a few weeks back,to remark similar to yours:”Well aa girl’s gotta eat.”
For now,based on your name,Jiggy,I leave you with a quote from Verlaine:”Dansant la Gigue !”
JoelJ:Thanks for your response to cynical Jiggy!
December 23, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Hey Davey, here’s my video that was inspired by you! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMIeimvyiYc
December 23, 2011 at 9:27 pm
That video made me smile a bit more
December 23, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Brandon and his friend are real cuties.
December 25, 2011 at 3:50 pm
The treatment’s similar to Black spark….Nice point made…go Davey wavey !!
January 7, 2012 at 4:56 am
Dave this video is so inspiring that i am recruting some of friends to help reenact the video in my city. That is of course it is aliright with you! Your the best
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