Why is it so hard to encourage others?

Why is it so hard to encourage others?
I think it is because it makes the person who is giving the complement or word of encourage feel vulnerable because they are being serious and revealing their true thoughts and feelings about the other person, even if the word of encouragement isn't all that deep or even meaningful. In today's society we tend to shy away from being serious and genuine. We feel more comfortable hiding our true feelings behind joking exteriors. We love to laugh, and thats not a bad thing, but there is a time and a season for everything, including a time to be serious and genuine and a time to be funny and joke around. The trouble is we are completely leaving out the seriousness of life and only operating in "silly mode". It is impossible to be genuine and serious while also being silly; the three words do not mix, and that is why it is so hard for people (kids especially) to be encouraging and complementary to others.