I complimenti in italiano: minaccia o carezza verbale?

The main aim of this paper is to argue that integrating different methodological approaches in research on compliments (as on any other speech act) provides us with several advantages, in so far as it allows us a deeper insight into certain theoretical issues. A study on Italian compliments will be discussed, focusing on the controversial issue of the relationship between compliments and verbal politeness, one which is conceived in opposing ways in the huge world literature on the subject. The integration of conversation analysis of an extensive corpus of Italian compliments recorded in a wide range of real interactions (a methodological approach falling within the field method) and of the interviews of a wide sample of speakers carried out on the basis of a questionnaire (an approach belonging to the armchair method) facilitates the attainment of a more articulated and satisfactory answer to the question whether compliments may be mainly considered face-threatening acts or, on the contrary, as acts that primarily boost and enhance the interlocutor’s face.