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Original poster

Nice things strangers have said.

105 replies

Differentforgirls · 26/02/2026 17:32

There’s a brilliant thread on here about awful things strangers have said to you. Some of the things 😱.

They are awful but hilarious in many cases.

So, are there brilliant things strangers have said that you remember?

Mine is the first day my 2.5 year old son chose and put all his clothes on by himself and was delighted.

We both set out for the village shop. On the way there we passed an older man and my son said “Mr, I got myself ready today”.

He replied “ You are kidding wee man, that’s brilliant” and gave him 50p to “ celebrate” and shook his wee hand.

I will never forget the kindness of that man to my son.

OP posts:
Peterrabbitismybrother · 26/02/2026 17:34

I was in a charity shop with my toddler who wanted to buy all the toys etc ! And was being a bit difficult

Afterwards an older lady came up to me and said I handled it really well and was clearly a lovely mum

Mum2Fergus · 26/02/2026 17:35

I get a lot of lovely comments about my hair when I’m out and about.

Hotchocolate4 · 26/02/2026 17:37

While I still think the people had eye sight issues, a few years ago I was asked for ID to buy paracetamol. I had none and they had to refuse the sale. But I told them I was 35 with two kids and they asked me for a list of skin care products I use. I wasn’t annoyed but very chuffed even if they needed to go to specsavers

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2 year olds
Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 26/02/2026 17:42

I was sitting on the window shelf in Tesco's, breastfeeding dc4 (DH was paying, packing and manhandling the 3 older children- all under 7). An elderly woman stormed towards me, and actually waved her walking stick at me....

"I've just got one thing to say to you, young lady. Well done. That's all I'm going to say."

She then stomped off, probably to berate one of the staff for doing sterling work Grin

Actually over four DC, I had many positive comments about breastfeeding, and never the slightest hint of negativity.

BiggyJ · 26/02/2026 17:44

A lady who was stood behind me on an escalator asked me what perfume I was wearing because I smelt nice.
I had to tell her I was au naturel as any perfume brings me out in a rash!

Original poster
Differentforgirls · 26/02/2026 17:48

Peterrabbitismybrother · 26/02/2026 17:34

I was in a charity shop with my toddler who wanted to buy all the toys etc ! And was being a bit difficult

Afterwards an older lady came up to me and said I handled it really well and was clearly a lovely mum

❤️

OP posts:
Foxybyname · 26/02/2026 17:50

It was my DDs (early 20s) birthday a few months ago and we were having a lovely girly day, shopping then early dinner with cocktails so I was a bit more dressed up than for a usual shopping trip.
A lady (mid 30s ) came up to me and said 'i just want to say, you look fabulous very cool' . It made my day as she was very stylish herself.

Whenever I read things like this it reminds me how we can affect someone's day in such a positive way with very little effort really. Let's do it more often!

deeahgwitch · 26/02/2026 17:50

Hotchocolate4 · 26/02/2026 17:37

While I still think the people had eye sight issues, a few years ago I was asked for ID to buy paracetamol. I had none and they had to refuse the sale. But I told them I was 35 with two kids and they asked me for a list of skin care products I use. I wasn’t annoyed but very chuffed even if they needed to go to specsavers

Ah that’s lovely @Hotchocolate4

Original poster
Differentforgirls · 26/02/2026 17:50

Hotchocolate4 · 26/02/2026 17:37

While I still think the people had eye sight issues, a few years ago I was asked for ID to buy paracetamol. I had none and they had to refuse the sale. But I told them I was 35 with two kids and they asked me for a list of skin care products I use. I wasn’t annoyed but very chuffed even if they needed to go to specsavers

🤣

OP posts:
amoosebouche · 26/02/2026 17:51

A woman at the gym commented on my upper arm muscles and said they were 'goals'. Having hidden my arms for most of my life I couldn't believe it...I've been consistently putting work in for 3 years now with weights, protein etc and finally it's showing!

WinterFrogs · 26/02/2026 17:52

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 26/02/2026 17:42

I was sitting on the window shelf in Tesco's, breastfeeding dc4 (DH was paying, packing and manhandling the 3 older children- all under 7). An elderly woman stormed towards me, and actually waved her walking stick at me....

"I've just got one thing to say to you, young lady. Well done. That's all I'm going to say."

She then stomped off, probably to berate one of the staff for doing sterling work Grin

Actually over four DC, I had many positive comments about breastfeeding, and never the slightest hint of negativity.

Edited

That's made my day 💕

Meadowfinch · 26/02/2026 17:53

I spent an hour chatting to a guy maybe 10 years older than me on an intercity.
When I got up to leave he toasted me with BR chardonnay, and said "to a glorious child of the 60s and a vanishing dream."
19yo me was a bit stumped.

SevenKingsMustDie · 26/02/2026 17:58

My New Year’s resolution this year was to ‘not let any compliment go unsaid’. It has been wonderful to say out loud the nice things I think, and hopefully make people feel good (and sometimes think I’m a bit weird 😂🤷🏻‍♀️).

Original poster
Differentforgirls · 26/02/2026 18:02

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 26/02/2026 17:42

I was sitting on the window shelf in Tesco's, breastfeeding dc4 (DH was paying, packing and manhandling the 3 older children- all under 7). An elderly woman stormed towards me, and actually waved her walking stick at me....

"I've just got one thing to say to you, young lady. Well done. That's all I'm going to say."

She then stomped off, probably to berate one of the staff for doing sterling work Grin

Actually over four DC, I had many positive comments about breastfeeding, and never the slightest hint of negativity.

Edited

I breast fed my two. My eldest for only 6 weeks. The boy my op is about. He seemed to want more so I gave in. I wish I had known then that I should have persevered. I did with my second but tbh, he would never take even a dummy. He was adamant that nothing else would do 🤣

OP posts:
Icannotremembermyusername · 26/02/2026 18:07

I have cut my long hair to a layered messy bob (I love). Husband not keen (pfffff like I care), but I met my work team which don’t see very often (another country) and they all
ind commented how lovely mr hair looked! Mind you, I am now thinking 🤔 was my long hair shite 😂😂😂😂

dontcallmelen · 26/02/2026 18:08

Lovely thread OP I got complimented on my hair today cheered me up no end.

Yogabearmous · 26/02/2026 18:10

I was sat on a bus on New Year’s Eve, having found out my boyfriend had dropped me last minute for his mates (we were 19). A cute lad in his 20s waved at me through the window and said “happy new year!” When we stopped at a high street bus stop on route.
I was flattered, went out that night with girl pals and had the best evening ever! Boyfriend didn’t get in the club he queued for and had a crap evening, going home early 😂😂😂

Original poster
Differentforgirls · 26/02/2026 18:13

Foxybyname · 26/02/2026 17:50

It was my DDs (early 20s) birthday a few months ago and we were having a lovely girly day, shopping then early dinner with cocktails so I was a bit more dressed up than for a usual shopping trip.
A lady (mid 30s ) came up to me and said 'i just want to say, you look fabulous very cool' . It made my day as she was very stylish herself.

Whenever I read things like this it reminds me how we can affect someone's day in such a positive way with very little effort really. Let's do it more often!

Definitely!

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 26/02/2026 18:13

I always love it when a stranger just says hello in passing . I need to do that more myself.

I am trying to pay it forward too. A few months ago I saw a woman trying on a jacket that was fab . I dithered about telling her but decided to. Her face lit up completely.

Disturbia81 · 26/02/2026 18:14

That I look like Angelina Jolie.
Yeah the temu version 😂

Original poster
Differentforgirls · 26/02/2026 18:19

Sidebeforeself · 26/02/2026 18:13

I always love it when a stranger just says hello in passing . I need to do that more myself.

I am trying to pay it forward too. A few months ago I saw a woman trying on a jacket that was fab . I dithered about telling her but decided to. Her face lit up completely.

I love that too. Just a smile at each other.

OP posts:
Original poster
Differentforgirls · 26/02/2026 18:20

Disturbia81 · 26/02/2026 18:14

That I look like Angelina Jolie.
Yeah the temu version 😂

Bet you’re better than the original!

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 26/02/2026 18:28

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 26/02/2026 17:42

I was sitting on the window shelf in Tesco's, breastfeeding dc4 (DH was paying, packing and manhandling the 3 older children- all under 7). An elderly woman stormed towards me, and actually waved her walking stick at me....

"I've just got one thing to say to you, young lady. Well done. That's all I'm going to say."

She then stomped off, probably to berate one of the staff for doing sterling work Grin

Actually over four DC, I had many positive comments about breastfeeding, and never the slightest hint of negativity.

Edited

Yes I was going to make a similar comment. I had some lovely comments from strangers about breastfeeding. Sadly I did also get more negative comments. I try to repay the nice people by making nice comments to breastfeeding mums.

mondaytosunday · 26/02/2026 19:00

@Matildatoldsuchdreadfulliessimilar. Was on a café on my own breastfeeding my baby. I do this discreetly but you can tell what I’m doing. An elderly man came up to me and said he was so pleased that women were free to breastfeed in public and that his wife was never able to do it back when they had babies.
My DD has the most amazing waist length deep auburn thick and wavy hair. It’s less now (at 20 she has perfected the ‘don’t talk to me’ look after years of taking the tube to school), but in her younger years it seemed she couldn’t leave the house without someone complimenting her on it. I mean everyone from teachers, waitresses, bus drivers, shop assistants… random strangers. If someone asks me which one is my daughter I just say ‘the one with the hair’.

Ricecrispiesatsix · 26/02/2026 19:01

Someone I’d just met in a professional context told me I looked like a fairytale character! I have no idea why - I wasn’t wearing anything particularly whimsical that day and I’d say I’m pretty average looking… but I often get told I remind people of a cartoon character (different ones!) so I think I just must have an expressive face.

Also years ago I got asked on a train if I was famous - maybe on CBeebies.

Sorry I don’t have anything deeper to contribute.