I’ve learned to accept compliments. I went too long without them, and they feel good, dammit!
And I say “Thank you.”. Really, those words are just a compliment, they’re not an entitlement for a blowjob. If he wants more he’d better do something more, and for my part, there’s nothing wrong with accepting what he said as truth, at least for him (even though I may disagree).
Aww, thank you very much!
kicks the dirt
Aww, shucks 
You’re welcome.
I could probably come up with something even better if we’d ever actually met.
I was going to make this post a message to every girl who posted in this thread saying “Hey, you’re pretty.” Then I realized how many people had posted in this thread and I decided it was too much work for a joke.
Consider this a “Hey, you’re pretty” to everyone.
I think “Aww, s/he thinks I’m pretty,” and out loud I say “That’s sweet of you. Thank you.” I don’t worry myself about ulterior motives.
Laugh my ass off?
Okay seriously…way back when I actually was pretty it would have depended. Was the guy being serious, or was it merely a “shotgun” approach he was using on the entire group of women anywhere near him, in a lame attempt to get laid?
If the guy is sincere, thanks and appreciation are definitely in order. If you’re sincere don’t worry about how your motives will be taken. Most of us will appreciate it.
Depends on who’s saying it.
If it’s my husband, it melts me. If it’s some random person I don’t know, I am suspicious. If it’s someone of the opposite sex that I’m friends with, I’m deeply flattered.
Now, I guess I should add that I do have some self-image issues. I don’t find it impossible to believe that someone might find me kind of cute, but it’s not really something I expect either. I tend to be more on the insecure side when it comes to my looks.
It’s funny, I work at a nursing home and my favorite alzheimer’s ladies have a tendency to exclaim, ‘‘She’s so gorgeous, isn’t she?’’ Totally flattered, but also totally keeping in mind that their vision is kinda shaky!
Something similar to this happened to me too! I was waiting outside of a restaurant, and a little boy (maybe 5 years old) and his mother were sitting close by. The boy kept stealing glances at me every now and then. Finally, he burst out “You are really pretty!” and hid behind his mom. It was so cute. I am definitely flattered when a little kid says I’m pretty.
Note to guys: return the baby and stroller, and borrow a 5 year old boy.
Naturally this has been researched at the OKCupid blog OKTrends.
It is one of their 6 rules for an effective first message:
Be literate
Avoid physical compliments
Use an unusual greeting
Bring up specific interests
If you’re a guy, be self-effacing
Consider becoming an atheist
Lots of interesting data digging here such as How your race affects the messages you get..
If there’s one thing I’m jealous of women for, it’s the compliments. I’m incredibly narcissistic and I enjoy every compliment I receive.
Hows come when I tell a female she is pretty, they always answer me, “Sorry, hun, it’s still fifty.”?
Guten Tag,
I was quite amused, disported, diverted, entertained, and regaled by your profile. I notice you like to have fun. What a coincidence, I like fun, too, but I’m not very good at it. Perhaps we could meet for coffee, I’m free on Sunday mornings.
Robot Arm
P.S. Rest assured, my interest has nothing whatsoever to do with the picture of your cleavage.
It depends on the context. I don’t think about ulterior motives (telling me I’m pretty isn’t really going to get you anywhere), but it doesn’t really wow me, either. If it’s a complete stranger telling me, then I just feel flattered. If it’s someone I’m dating, I tend to feel somewhat uncomfortable. There’s also a difference between “you’re pretty” and “wow, you look great tonight”. The latter will probably make me blush.
Wait, really? You’re the first person who’s said that you’d feel MORE comfortable with a complete stranger telling you that you’re pretty than someone who you’re dating.
Well yeah, I don’t go “Please stop trying to force a blow job on me!” I say “Thank you” too, but I don’t feel good or bad when someone says I’m pretty. I just think “Sure, okay,” but say “Thanks.”
Aww, I feel warm and fuzzy just reading that. Makes me remember how squishy I felt when it happened to me. It was like he worked up all his courage to say it. It was just adorable.
Would it help if I told you you’re pretty?
I generally like it, but like others have said & implied, it’s often nicer when it’s said without any ulterior motive at all, like when a really little kid says it.
There’s nothing wrong with appreciating physical beauty - it doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate inner beauty too.
It’s probably my insecurities shining through. 
I never really gave it much thought, but when someone I’m dating tells me I’m pretty it makes me nervous, whereas a stranger says it and I just say thanks and appreciate the attention.