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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how often you’re complimented on your looks

204 replies

LeopardPrintShorts · 09/04/2025 20:23

In particular by people you've just met. Have been out with a very pretty friend who has had men fawning over her/complimenting her whilst I was just ignored as usual. I don't think my physical appearance has ever been complimented by a stranger. Feeling a bit crap. Does this happen to other people?

OP posts:
BurgundyZero · 09/04/2025 22:08

Never. I have a severe case of RBF, though.

ThinWomansBrain · 09/04/2025 22:06

not looks generally, but my hair quite frequently - probably once a week.
I was about to write early 60s, but more edging towards mid 60s

HappyMuma · 09/04/2025 22:05

Now and then I’ll get a compliment from a stranger, it’s always women and always about my hair.
If I see someone wearing nice shoes or a pretty dress etc I make a point of telling them. It’s nice to receive a random compliment.

Blondiney · 09/04/2025 22:02

I got told I looked like a filmstar last week. Enormous sunglasses covered the majority of my face so that helped I think. 😁

ClearPinkPlum · 09/04/2025 22:01

I look fabulous in one of my bathroom mirrors, the woman there is always admiring me

Admittedly the room is painted a very dark colour with vintage type light fitting and bulb, so it’s not a bright light.

I also worry how dusty it is in there, it’s mostly hidden though, so I don’t worry too much .

😊

Gymbunny2025 · 09/04/2025 21:59

AliBaliBee1234 · 09/04/2025 21:43

I'm so curious what these strangers say! 😂 I must not be as pretty as mum says .. this has never happened to me

Literally just a stranger approaching me and commenting in a positive way on my appearance. It does make me feel a bit uncomfortable, especially as I am not one of the beautiful people! Mostly people are just doing it to be nice I guess. I imagine truly beautiful people get it much less as they could look intimidating?

CowboyHatAndBoots · 09/04/2025 21:59

I think most people, rightly, are more cautious talking about how others look now. I find it’s often creepy men that do it to. And women who seem desperate to make friends so it’s like they’re sucking up to you. I have a female relative who seems to look for ways to compliment random women who she passes on the street or sees in the supermarket and it’s very weird and forced.

highlandsake · 09/04/2025 21:52

My Husband tells me most days, and Friends are very complementary but strangers not so much anymore. I’m aware I get admiring glances but not because I’m beautiful, apparently I’m sexy (CRINGE).

Aworldofwonder · 09/04/2025 21:50

Probably once a week on average.

The posts from @Alwaystryhard are really odd imo. People are answering a question.

I'm not stunning by the way. I think I get compliments because I smile.

coxesorangepippin · 09/04/2025 21:49

Like a pp said, never

Not sure who all these people are who are constantly telling others they're stunning??

CraneBeak · 09/04/2025 21:47

When I was a teenager and perhaps early 20s. Not since! Except my sweet little five year old DS who told me today that I have beautiful knees. 😁

VenusClapTrap · 09/04/2025 21:44

Not any more. I’ll be honest, I do miss it.

AliBaliBee1234 · 09/04/2025 21:43

Gymbunny2025 · 09/04/2025 21:38

Often still (I’m 40). Had one today from a lady in passing. My daughter rolled her eyes 😂

I'm so curious what these strangers say! 😂 I must not be as pretty as mum says .. this has never happened to me

AliBaliBee1234 · 09/04/2025 21:41

I mean, by people I know occasionally. But strangers just approached her? Never seen that with anyone I know.

SpanielsEar · 09/04/2025 21:41

All the time in my 20s - strangers sometimes stopped me in the street to tell me (women as well as men). I suppose it tailed off a bit through my 30s but I was still described as “the pretty one” quite often.

Now, in my mid-40s, fairly rarely I think, unless we count compliments from my DC and my DH! Occasionally from my teen DC’s friends but they are very kind generally, and it’s more than my hair/clothes look nice really. I don’t mind though, it was a lot of my identity when I was young but it isn’t so much now and I feel as if I am taken more seriously generally, and definitely professionally, and I think I look okay “for my age” and that’s okay with me.

IsItOnlyWednesday · 09/04/2025 21:40

I’m in my 50s and it’s not infrequent but I wear a lot of slightly unconventional clothes so people comment on them

Hemlocked · 09/04/2025 21:40

Fairly often. I've had lots of compliments over my lifetime being called beautiful, pretty, sexy, stunning on a regular basis. It's tailing off now that I'm almost 40 but I think I'm also not really putting much effort in these days and I work from home too.

Gymbunny2025 · 09/04/2025 21:38

Often still (I’m 40). Had one today from a lady in passing. My daughter rolled her eyes 😂

ThatsNotMyTeen · 09/04/2025 21:38

Never. I’ve got a face like a bag of spanners.

Bbq1 · 09/04/2025 21:37

Neverenoughfor · 09/04/2025 20:53

Daily told I’m beautiful but it’s because of my job. I do beauty and clients say they want skin like mine or brows like mine and how young I look. I’ve never felt confident in myself though.

Being a beautician doesn't automatically make you beautiful! Most beauticians I've been to are just average women and I often have better skin and nails than they do. The other type of beauticians, are all fake tan, caterpillar brows and a lot of fake "enhancements" going on.

RosieDragon · 09/04/2025 21:34

People tell me I'm pretty fairly regularly, including strangers and I'm nearly 40. It's always been the same since I was a child. A lot less now, but probably once every few months.

I'm mixed raced, with light eyes and people find it fascinating.

MidnightMusing5 · 09/04/2025 21:30

When I was 38 and most definitely not looking anything special at all, a boy in his late teens (19?) in Asda referred to me as a pretty lady (I can’t remember the sentence but i remember it sounded like a chat up line, which initially took me aback and I thought did I hear right; then when I processed it, I think he was just practicing chat up lines and used I was his first victim 😂 it still baffles me to this day , as I wear a hijab and he was a young white lad(!) I did want to say to him are you taking the piss lol

TheCurious0range · 09/04/2025 21:27

Not by strangers for a good 7-10 years, my DS is very quick with a compliment and usually genuinely observed. I like the pattern on your dress mummy it's pretty, I like your hair today mummy it's looks springy (curly), he is also like a bloodhound and will immediately pick up on a new perfume. It's quite nice!
DH comments if I'm wearing something new or if he can tell I've made an effort even if I'm shattered/feel crap, he also says things like I really like that dress on you, I remember when you wore it when we went to Xy. So maybe that's where DS gets it from.

arcticpandas · 09/04/2025 21:25

My son often tells me I'm the most beautiful and kindest mum in the world. The only compliment that makes me really happy. I hate compliments in general because I never know what to say and also lot of them are weird. Like how people would love to see me "fixed up" because I would be so beautiful. Well..thanks. I think I'll just go on being my scruffy old self without makeup and ponytail because I can't be arsed and the only males who count are my dh and sons and they think I'm beautiful the way I am without makeup/botox/duck lips/a brushing/fashionable clothing.

TheGhostOfPatButcher · 09/04/2025 21:23

Never, but tbh I look like a mad old bag so it's not very likely. 😆