Hee! It’s funny because it’s true!
As a footnote to my earlier comments, I’d like to say I realize exactly how insane it is, and I hate the mindgames women play with each other. I’ve always tried to avoid that crap, say what I mean, and avoid insulting people in general, but I have lived amongst the snotty girls who never evolved past 7th grade and have learned the lingo. Yeah, I love those bitches in God’s way. 
I can see how it could be a backhanded compliment, but I prefer to live straightfoward. If someone compliments me, I say, “Thanks!” and don’t think about it much. Likewise, I never ask my boyfriend if I look fat in something. Of course, it helps that I know I look fat in it, because I’m fat.
Guys, don’t worry about accidently insulting us. Guys don’t give backhanded compliments; women do. Thus, women don’t look for “the real meaning” of what guys say the way they do for other women.
Guess your girlfriends are different from mine, then. We’re perfectly capable (unfortunately) of spending a good half hour analyzing something a man says to look for hidden meanings.
By the way, this very statement (“you have such a pretty face”) was just said to a friend of mine by a relative, who then followed it up with, “so when you lose weight, try to lose it just in your body.”
Guys, you can continue to worry about accidentally insulting us, but I’ll be frank: if we want to be offended by something you say, we will be, regardless. So whether you’re trying to be insulting or trying to be nice, it almost won’t matter. Sorry, but that’s the truth. I’m sure I’ll lose sisterhood points for saying it.
There are three ways to understand women, and none of them are worth a damn.
See, that’s a statement that would get me all weak in the knees. I love hearing guys tell me stuff like that. (Without being crass, of course, and you weren’t.)
I think it’s because I’ve never thought I was very pretty or sexy or anything, so hearing a guy say that he wants me, etc. is just a great compliment and one that I’m completely not expecting.
Like my friend says, “If she’s pretty, tell her she’s smart. If she’s smart, tell her she’s pretty.”
OMG, wtf ever! Did you just call me fat? It’s my ass, isn’t it???
Anyway, to make this response at least kind of relevant, I was told that I’m “really pretty” at work last night. I sure am glad those drunks didn’t get any more specific than that; now I know they really meant it!
Good point. I’ve always had better reactions from girls when i’ve complimented the non-obvious things. “Oh, thanks” versus “Really? That’s sweet of you”, to give two horribly cliche looking examples.
Pretty much when a guy says something nice, they just mean that. No hidden meaning. Well, other than the obvious “Please take off all your clothes now” one. 
See, “You have pretty eyes” really means “Give me a cold beer, woman.”
My eyes are my most-complimented feature. Perhaps I should be a bartender? 
Okay, I’m done in this thread now.