This doesn’t apply if you live in a hostile, dangerous war zone. But in a normal neighborhood in a normal city, doing this can really be fun! (The compliments have to be sincere.)
For example, last week I was going into the grocery store and a guy (a 70-ish, attractive, African-American man) was pushing his grocery cart to his car. In the front of the cart was a big pineapple, and the man was wearing a gorgeous Hawaiian shirt (this is south Texas). I stopped him and said, “You look like the very picture of a tropical vacation with that pineapple and that beautiful shirt!” He fairly beamed.
A lady came into the barbecue restaurant where I was eating lunch wearing great shoes. I went over to her and told her, “Those are some fabulous shoes!” She loved it, and we had a brief discussion about beautiful shoes and comfort.
I probably do this two or three times per month. It makes me feel good and usually the OP, too.
And no, I’m not a Pollyanna. I struggle with depression and cynicism… but this practice feels good. Like I said, it has to be sincere.
I try to do that every day. I haven’t yet today, but I did give a sincere compliment to my project manager, who I can’t stand. Hey, her dress really does look good!
I went up to this really attractive young woman in a very low-cut V-neck blouse on the subway just now and said, “Wow! That shirt really looks good on you!” and her boyfriend punched me in the eye.
I try to do this sort of thing all the time! The other day I was at the grocery store and I saw a young woman in a cute sundress, so I paused by her and said, “That’s a really cute dress you’re wearing.” She kind of did a double take and made sure I was talking to her.
I did this last night on the subway. A woman who was standing near me was wearing a beautiful dress. After I complimented her we spent a few minutes discussing the best places to shop within the city.
I do this all the time. This is my recurring New Year’s resolution - be nicer to people, and my specific resolution for this year - if you see something you admire about a stranger, tell them.
It’s a little harder to compliment on purely physical attributes without coming off as false, I admit. And it’s nearly impossible with guys because there’s always that guy that immediately thinks you are hitting on him!
*ThelmaLou pulls her pigtails out of the inkwell and wraps the tips in blotting paper. She peers over her glasses and knits her brows together. *
ETA: Thank you, Anaamika.
I told this woman at Starbucks that she carried herself very gracefully for someone so heavy. She dumped her orange mocha frappuccino on my groin. I, too, thank you for this great idea.
No. My wife.
