To want to start complimenting women more? (Strangers)

Yes! I would love to do this but I'm socially awkward and lack confidence when talking to new people. I'd worry that they would think me a weirdo, when surely, if you'd been complimented you'd be happy about it?

Once I was on a walk and as I walked past a woman she told me that my hair looked lovely. It put a spring in my step for the rest of the day. I told DH when I got home "a woman liked my hair 😁😁😁."

My mum used to do it all the time. She always said, "if someone looks lovely then you should compliment them. Make people feel good!"

Nobody thought she was a weirdo btw. She has/had lots of friends - you couldn't walk through town with her without somebody stopping her to chat. She's still alive but in a nursing home now.

Sadly, I agree. I've always found Americans a lot friendlier and more "open", especially in customer facing roles such as in shops, restaurants, etc.

One of our son's main memories of Florida theme parks was a security man loudly singing "zippity dee dah" whilst he was checking peoples' bags upon entry. In the UK, it'd be some overweight/ugly security guy who'd make you feel like a criminal and would barely grunt at you.

I do it all the time, and have done for about 20ish years - and I'm fairly reserved. If someone looks absolutely fantastic, then yeah, let them know. Never been a negative reaction, and I probs do it at least once a day 😂

I do this! And I still remember being stopped about 20 years ago by a woman asking me where I got my boots, even a man complimenting me on my hat was lovely - no ulterior motive (he was with a woman, said it and moved on). I don't see how anyone would take it as weird - it's how you say it I guess.
My daughter has amazing deep red hair, long and thick and wavy. People compliment her on it ALL THE TIME. She almost does an eye roll now but I tell her to just smile and say thank you - she's lucky (I take full credit).
And you know I ran into an acquaintance last summer, and thought was how fantastic she looked - so good in a simple sleeveless dress. I texted her afterwards to say so. Little did I know she had breast cancer and was on the road to recovery - she was so happy to hear it as she'd been feeling very unfeminine and unattractive. So keep at it - it's an easy way to bring a little joy to someone's life.

Must admit, I was pretty pleased when I was on holiday in California, ordering at the McDonalds drive through window and the girl serving said she loved my accent!! Americans are often a lot more "open" with communicating with strangers and do seem to genuinely enjoy their customer service jobs, unlike in the UK where they're usually sullen and grumpy!

Just wanted to add another example...I'm really really heavily pregnant now and waddling quite slowly around the workplace, so colleagues are often stopping to ask how I am and I laugh and say it's uncomfortable but nearly over etc.

One female colleague said "oh but you look amazing, I was thinking yesterday what a lovely silhouette you have in that long dress, so womanly". I mean, she meant to be nice I'm sure but my inward reaction was WTAF. I'm shaped like a weeble but it's temporary. Just all kinds of wtf, I'm still getting over how weird it was of her

Edit to correct the spelling of weeble

This is why I sometimes preferred life in the US!

I've been complimented on clothes by other women over there and it never made me feel 'weird'. On occasion I've even returned the favour. We British are a strangely inhibited, reserved (suspicious?) nation.

I think do it! Honestly life is hard at times, giving someone a compliment on their earrings or shoes (or hearing one yourself) might just brighten things up for a minute? Why not?

I often do it with perfume, although admittedly it does sound weird "wow, you smell amazing, what are you wearing", it's never had a poor reception.

I did think it was odd when an old guy said 'Dam girl you look good' I am 40 and not a girl so that was not appropriate 😬🙈

I think clothes, fine. "Love those shoes, where did you get them".

Body (including hair), that's intrusive and not fine. Too personal, and too immutable (like, it's not my choice to have this body, I just have it). I don't like it if people I know do that, let alone strangers.

My mum yesterday complimented my FIL on losing some weight recently and I cringed, I'd never do that unless he brought it up.

I can imagine you are in the minority.

OP. Do it. It's good for you and the other person.

I do it a lot! I never compliment strangers on what they are, though. I may think they're world-stoppingly beautiful, have incredible eyes or an amazing voice, but saying so is potentially weird in numerous ways. I compliment on how they've put an outfit together, the colour they're wearing, how they've done their hair and so on.

Definitely never had negative reactions.

Wtf🤣

OP I’m always complimenting people however I am a naturally chatty person. Just the other day I said ‘I absolutely love your hair’ to some random woman that walked past me. I’ve never got a rude response.

I think forcing yourself to compliment someone when you’re not used to talking too strangers may come out a bit awkward. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it:)

This morning a woman actually said to me they were glad I came back down the road as they really liked my trousers. How nice they looked. I think it's lovely to compliment others. I do it often and don't think it's odd at all :)

OP I started doing this once I hit my forties and have only had positive reactions! It’s a cool thing to do - us women get all kinds of boosts from a complement like that. A woman once complemented me on my outfit while on the tube on my way to an interview. Reader, I got the job. 😊

Oh I do this all the time - I hadn't ever thought there might be a negative side to it?!

I normally compliment nails (I love nails and always have my own done!) or a really cool bit of jewellery or a beautiful outfit. No one's ever looked anything but pleased with the compliment and I genuinely mean them, it's said with nothing but complimentary thoughts. Sometimes I'll ask where something is from because I would like it too!

I don't scream at someone crossing the road but if I'm next to someone in a shop / queue / we're already interacting (e.g barista or similar) then I'll say it if I think it. I do the same for men 😂 told the barista this morning I loved his boots! It's just a normal thing for me.

Sounds like a you issue. Never had this response in 20+ years of doing it.

I thought this was an American thing because I've experienced it quite a lot when holidaying there, but never in the UK.

I do it all the time, but l thinks it's down to if your happy and comfortable within yourself. I also receive a lot of compliments from women.
It often opens the way for a positive interaction. It's a sad old world if women can't genuinely compliment other women.

If you genuinely feel it and as long as they're nearby (you don't want to be crossing the road, or pointedly going after them) then why not?

I'm not sure I'd keep the compliments for women only though.

I do it all the time - if I see someone with a great scarf or striking outfit I tell them how great it is.

”I love your T shirt” is hardly stalking or intrusive.

Haha @Mazuslongtoenail

I have always done this even when I was younger - men and women, dogs, old and young alike. I've never had a negative reaction. I complimented a woman who was wearing an adult female human t shirt and she looked at her mum and said 'see mum! I told you!' 😃

I do this all the time, only ever had positive responses. Including a "this is where I got these boots" recommendation!
Sadly they were out of my size 😢

You should definitely try it, it’s awesome! Maybe you’ll look a little weird by societal norms but who cares, it’ll make yours and the other person’s day. I have a habit of being really honest about the positive feelings I have about my friends, it’s more difficult with strangers as I’m quite shy, but it’s really worth it for both of you. Introduces so much joy into both of your days. I’ll start you off: it’s such a good quality that you want to pass on the good feelings and I hope you appreciate yourself :)