I am this way too. I also, have great hair. It is silvery gray and I have lots of it. I have people tell me that I have great hair all the time. I always say something deprecating about it telling people that it is coarse, hard to handle, etc., etc. My daughter once said "you should just say thanks mom and leave it at that." Now, be it about my quilt gifts or my hair, I just say thanks. It took a while, but I am there. Finally!
PS, why do we always say things that belittle our efforts or our selves? Is it bred in us, if so, why? It does not seem to help.
PPS, no need to answer, but maybe we can think about it and maybe change it in the next generation.