TLDR: No one cares if the nice guy gives a compliment or listens to them. If you are low enough SMV, girls will even be insulted by it. You can find out your perceived SMV and alphaness quickly by complimenting someone and noting their reaction to it.

So a year ago I was the nice guy. I told people what they wanted to hear, and I would be so happy that we were close enough that they felt comfortable venting to me. Then I would hear the next day all about the party everyone had been at that no one had thought to invite me to. But that was ok, because I had a special connection with people, right? I mean, I'm sure that that girl hadn't told the guy whose cock she was sucking at the party about how she was fighting with her best friend! I was so special to her.

Fast forward to today, about a year after finding the red pill. I spent a lot of time working on myself, and learning about boundaries. I'm honestly much more likely to tease than I am to complement or to listen to someone else's problems. Hell, I'm much more likely to tell someone to get back to work who is being lazy than to give a complement.

So the point of this is, back when I was beta, both my praise and my time meant nothing to people. I had devalued them by giving them away freely.

Now, if I compliment someone, they light up. They get a huge smile on their face. If it's a girl, she'll blush. If it's a guy, he'll stand up straiter and walk a little taller.

If someone has a problem, they will be apologetic about it, and offer something in return for my advice. I am getting more free shit than ever. Coffee brought to me, messages when my back hurts, people recommending clients to me. I used to be the nicest guy on the fucking planet, and no one went out of their way for me until I realized that I was the shit and figuratively told everyone to fuck off.

If you want to know if you are alpha or not, give someone a compliment. Their reaction will show what they think of you. After all, only valuable people can bestow value.