To want to start complimenting women more? (Strangers)

[TvGirll]

I'm a woman (40), BTW, nothing sexual in it.

I just always see women who look so cool, or their hair looks amazing. I saw a woman in the coolest dress recently, it was like an spaceship print all over, with a beam picking up cows 😂 She just looked so cute.

I always want to say 'your hair looks amazing' but worry I'll look weird.

But yesterday a lady stopped me and said 'excuse me, your trousers are so cool! I love them, you look awesome today'

And it honestly made my whole year.

I think my new years resolution might be to try and compliment someone at least once a week because I was having a really bad day, feeling shit about myself and was honestly wondering if I was too old for my trousers and she just killed all those insecurities and really made me smile.

I don’t do it but a couple of my female friends often compliment strangers on their hair or clothes when I’m with them. Never seen any negative reaction. It’s usually along the lines of “love your dress, where did you get that?”.

I’d definitely think you were a weirdo or taking the piss if you complimented someone you didn’t even know . No need to make other people feel odd to boost your own self image.

It’s a lovely idea, and normal in my circle. But this is MN, where people don’t open their door or answer phone calls, so you’ll probably get loads of people telling you that you’re weird.

I do it a lot. It tends to shoot out my mouth. ‘Oh I love your shoes’ or the other day I saw a lady with the most amazing shade of purple hair and I told her so. Only been the last few years I’ve done it but generally it raises a smile.

I figure if it makes someone happy for a few seconds then great. If they think I’m weird…. Well really who cares? I’ll probably never see them again.

Have also had some great conversations with complete strangers in pub loo’s etc because I’ve complimented an outfit or something. One lady and I kept bumping into each other, so then arranged a coffee and have been firm friends ever since. lol

Interesting take.

I've been complimented by strangers many times in my younger years when I was quite out there with my style choices and it always made me so happy.

Not happened for a good few years as I've been in a funk.

Alot of people think I'm weird anyways so that wouldn't be anything new to me 😂 I was more thinking I don't want anyone to think I'm being a 'creep' but thinking about it that's probably more from a male 'compliment' perspective. A compliment that's obviously a come on rather than from a genuine place of admiration from a fellow woman.

I do it when I can - type of things like "that colour looks great on you, I love that dress, your hair looks lovely" as it is a nice thing to do! Had it once or twice myself and I've never thought it weird.
Go for it - it makes you feel good too when you see their reaction x

I've done it on occasion. Like during Covid, waitress had a mask on in the coffee shop I was in so I could only see her eyes but she had the most amazing eyeshadow which really made her eyes pop. I told her that her eye make up was amazing.

Another time in Tesco queueing for tills, woman behind me had fabulous rainbow coloured hair. I told her I loved it.

I do it in situations where I’m talking to a stranger anyway - shop assistants, bus drivers etc. I notice manicured nails, and ‘I love your nails’ is guaranteed to bring a smile to someone’s face, I find.

Yeah, in a situation where I'm already communicating with someone.

Complimenting randos walking past me on the pavement, not so much.

It’s a lovely thing to do.

I occasionally do it but once asked someone what lipgloss they were wearing because it was lovely. She didn’t have any on 😬

I think it comes with risks.

If you are to pay compliments, I think it is worth saying to someone who has a dog how lovely the dog is are if they are well-behaved.

Only say it if you genuinely feel it, otherwise it might come across as insincere.

I do. I remember spending ages plucking up the courage to tell someone I loved their hat on the Underground once. I was so pleased I did, though, as she was really happy to hear it.

I went to university in Cardiff and found it relatively common place there - it was great and always made my day if someone complimented me.

I am from London and live back here now and have not found it anywhere near as common. But would still very much appreciate it if it happened!

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 :)

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 😢

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 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.

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, 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.

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

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

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.

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. 😊

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 :)