"What a lovely necklace!" Do you compliment strangers?

[amarinth]

I do it all the time. Most people don't seem to mind.

[Becky2844]

Originally Posted by Eve

I, of course, enjoy receiving compliments myself. I have a vintage handbag, c. 1960, round and lipstick-red. I know it is widely admired, as wherever I go, I notice people pointing to me and saying, "look at that old bag!"

.

[Arabella Flynn]

I do, all the time. I'm a young female, so socially speaking, I can probably get away with it more easily than a lot of other people can -- young women are seen as less threatening, and more likely to be interested in fashion, hence genuinely interested in the clothing they're commenting on.

I've found the trick to not letting people get awkward about it is to do it as I'm leaving, usually getting off the train. I'll just say "Excuse me, this is my stop, but I had to tell you those are fantastic boots/I love that necklace/that's a wonderful coat," and then move on. Nobody's freaked out on me yet.

[Nava]

Yes, I do it since that time I was having a lousy day and a question of "I love your jacket! Where did you buy it?" made my day.

[Ibanez]

Originally Posted by Leaffan

I think only women can get away with this. If I (male) tried to compliment a woman, she'd think I was trying to pick her up. If I tried to compliment another male, well guess what he would think?



Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Yup. I never compliment, risky behaviour for a man.

[kayaker]

Originally Posted by Ibanez

Yup. I never compliment, risky behaviour for a man.

"Lovely necklace. You'd look even nicer in one made of pearls".

[DrFidelius]

Originally Posted by tdn

I get complimented on my neckties all the time, and mostly by a guy.

I have some pretty fuckin' awesome neckties.

+1, but that is because I seem to be one of the few men in my town with the balls to wear a bowtie.

Last week I was out to dinner with The Wife and a gentleman at the bar complimented me on my bowtie (nice bright madras print, real perky and spring-like). I returned the compliment on his fedora (a real fedora, not a trilby, and made with good heavy felt). I am thinking of starting an Old Guys Rule fashion club, at least on beer and martini night.

[punch line loser]

As someone who hears this kind of thing often (not trying to stroke my vanity here - a dude with pink hair and painted nails can't help but call attention to himself), let me just say that just because we may react to you awkwardly it doesn't lessen our appreciation of the compliments at all, even if it looks like we're fleeing the scene. It's something I wish people did for each other more often.

That said, I don't tend to compliment strangers myself - I think it's more difficult for males to get away with in public. If I somehow hear someone listening to a song I like, however, then I try to make a point to mention it.

[Maeganspop]

I know a compliment directed at me can make my whole day better, so I always try to compliment people I am around.

I don't think compliments will bring world peace, but it can make someones day a little better.

[CanvasShoes]

Yes. Last week I complimented a young lady on her adorable shoes (particularly because I can't wear heels like that anymore). Usually only fellow women when it comes to clothing. I did compliment a guy on his gorgeous restored 60s something GTO a few weeks back.

[MrDurden]

I have a tattoo that get complimented all the time, yet I rarely venture to compliment others...

It seems unless I already have a dialogue going, a very large, bearded man with tattoos saying the same isn't received quite as well. I've gotten a mixture of creepy and/or frightened.

[Renee]

Originally Posted by HazelNutCoffee

I wouldn't compliment a stranger in Korea but I've done it in the US. Usually other women.

Why not in Korea?

[NoClueBoy]

Originally Posted by Renee

Why not in Korea?

They don't speak English, so they wouldn't understand what I'm telling them.

"Nice shoes."

"???"

"I said, 'Nice shoes!'"

"???"

"never mind ..."




j/k