# Random compliments from strangers that brighten your day **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 4, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504 "2013-05-04T23:02:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Faelyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c77e96/32.png) [@Faelyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faelyn)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/1 "2013-05-04T23:02:48Z")
So today I attended an event celebrating Ugadi and after a couple hours became tired and decided to leave. It had started to rain pretty heavily and I had parked far away, but since I hadn’t thought to bring an umbrella I just sighed and set out in the rain anyway. About halfway to my car, I was walking past this huge tree and there was an Indian man standing under it smoking a cigarette. We made eye contact and exchanged smiles, and then he said, “Your [eyes and dress](http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n283/home_gurly25_2006/IMAG0128.jpg) like water. You brought the rain?” All I could think to do was smile again before walking away. But his little joke and the smile on his face definitely made the rest of the walk back much brighter. So, tell me your stories of when a random stranger complimented you and it brightened your day? ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/2 "2013-05-04T23:11:20Z")
If I notice something nice about someone else, I try to tell them. It’s the best feeling, isn’t it? You do have beautiful eyes, btw. I once had someone tell me that I looked like Jennifer Lawrence. I don’t, but it made my day. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/3 "2013-05-05T00:06:16Z")
I often knit in public and if someone notices and says something complementary about what I am making it really pleases me. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/4 "2013-05-05T00:14:34Z")
I had a woman chase me down in the grocery store to ask where I got my jeans. I choose to believe that’s because my butt looked good. 🙂 I also had a guy at the gym tell me I had “really good form” for my back squat. Those were both nice, and considering I was no make-up, and a little down both times, appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![midnight-dreary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@midnight-dreary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/midnight-dreary)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/5 "2013-05-05T00:17:30Z")
I had a rockabilly dress made for my year 12 graduation. Everytime I wear it, I get complimented. One guy even crossed the road to talk to me 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/6 "2013-05-05T00:24:58Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > If I notice something nice about someone else, I try to tell them. It’s the best feeling, isn’t it? You do have beautiful eyes, btw. as an aside: is it just me, or is that just about the most feeble compliment you can give someone? ---
**Author:** ![NGC2024](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f475e1/32.png) [@NGC2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NGC2024)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/7 "2013-05-05T00:26:00Z")
One time I was at an intersection waiting to turn left. A woman in another car pulled up to the right side of my vehicle and I happened to look over in her direction and she yelled over to me “You have amazing hair!”. I thought that was really nice of her. It turned a good hair day into a good day all around. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/8 "2013-05-05T03:20:37Z")
When I was in college I was donating plasma, and I mentioned to the woman working there that I was hot (meaning physically hot) she looked at me and said ‘yeah, you are hot’. That was nice. She wasn’t a stranger though. I can’t think of compliments complete strangers have given me. I had girls thank me for hitting on them before, that made me feel appreciated and valued. Its nice when you talk to a woman and even if it doesn’t lead anywhere, knowing you’ve helped her find some extra self confidence and self appreciation. It is mutually enjoyable when that happens. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/9 "2013-05-05T04:59:43Z")
> [@colander](#): > > as an aside: is it just me, or is that just about the most feeble compliment you can give someone? What the hell? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/10 "2013-05-05T05:20:45Z")
> [@colander](#): > > as an aside: is it just me, or is that just about the most feeble compliment you can give someone? It’s a hell of a lot better than coming into a thread and insulting people. ---
**Author:** ![\_Olive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/4af34b/32.png) [@\_Olive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Olive)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/11 "2013-05-05T06:30:29Z")
I was surprized when a man about 70 told me he really liked my earrings. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/12 "2013-05-05T06:39:23Z")
I use a walking stick, and I have a six strand braid of leather on it, and a small leather pouch attached. I have a selection of primitive looking beads on the leather strips and pouch. I also wear a cowboy hat which I’ve decorated with a feather band, a feather medallion, and an [owl brooch](http://www.etsy.com/listing/120663027/1970s-jewelry-brooch-70s-gold-avon-owl?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=vintage_low&gclid=CPSWuOas_rYCFcuj4AodpkkAFA). I’ve had people tell me that they love my stick or hat. One guy wanted to know if my owl had a name, and upon learning that it didn’t, he asked me if he could give it a name. So now the owl on my hat is known as Lewis. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/13 "2013-05-05T07:51:13Z")
I had a lady at the grocery store tell me I smelled “awesome” and wanted to know what cologne I was wearing. That was nice. I haven’t heard that since likwe the 4TH of never being that I just quit smoking a few weeks ago. BTW: **Meagan** , you do have some pretty eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/14 "2013-05-05T12:32:01Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I had a lady at the grocery store tell me I smelled “awesome” and wanted to know what cologne I was wearing. > > That was nice. I haven’t heard that since likwe the 4TH of never being that I just quit smoking a few weeks ago. > > BTW: **Meagan** , you do have some pretty eyes. What cologne was it? A week ago I was walking and a guy walked by with amazing cologne. I asked him what it was and he said Perry Ellis. I bought some, but I don’t know if I got the right kind. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/15 "2013-05-05T12:46:20Z")
When my grandson was about four years old, I took him with me one time to the grocery. (BTW, we’re white and live in Indiana.) When we got to the checkout, he looked at the cashier, and told me: “Boo, she’s brown!” I quietly agreed with him, and the checkout girl started looking like she was bracing for a racist remark from a little boy, when he said : “She’s such a lovely shade of brown!” Big smile, made her day. ---
**Author:** ![Glazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@Glazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glazer)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/16 "2013-05-05T13:40:43Z")
I don’t know if it qualifies as random but I’m complimented on the work I do in peoples homes all the time. Sometimes the compliments are monetary. I like when people give me Twenty Bucks. One Lady even gave me a C-Note. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/17 "2013-05-05T13:45:38Z")
A guy complimented my house and it’s curb appeal, and made me feel proud. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/18 "2013-05-05T14:59:35Z")
> [@colander](#): > > as an aside: is it just me, or is that just about the most feeble compliment you can give someone? It’s an aside, it’s off-topic, and it’s damn close to threadshitting. Knock it off. **twickster** , MPSIMS moderator ---
**Author:** ![Zago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/19 "2013-05-05T17:59:45Z")
My condo is right on the sidewalk and I plant/tend the window boxes. I often have neighbors or tourists stop and compliment me on the lovely plantings when I’m out taking care of them. It makes me happy to think I brought them some pleasure. ---
**Author:** ![rucciface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@rucciface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rucciface)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504/20 "2013-05-07T13:43:35Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I use a walking stick, and I have a six strand braid of leather on it, and a small leather pouch attached. I have a selection of primitive looking beads on the leather strips and pouch. I also wear a cowboy hat which I’ve decorated with a feather band, a feather medallion, and an [owl brooch](http://www.etsy.com/listing/120663027/1970s-jewelry-brooch-70s-gold-avon-owl?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=vintage_low&gclid=CPSWuOas_rYCFcuj4AodpkkAFA). I’ve had people tell me that they love my stick or hat. One guy wanted to know if my owl had a name, and upon learning that it didn’t, he asked me if he could give it a name. So now the owl on my hat is known as Lewis. Say! Did you, by any chance, have a meal at the Cracker Barrel in College Station a few days ago? I saw a lady that fits that description, and almost complimented her about her walking stick, but let it pass. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-compliments-from-strangers-that-brighten-your-day/657504.md?page=2)