Do you ever comment positively on a woman's appearance?

[Destinysdaughter]

Reading the thread about negative comments pp have had made about how they look, I was thinking about the opposite and is it ok to do so. I often look at a woman and think, I like what you're wearing, or you've got lovely hair etc, but I very rarely say it. I was in the pub on Saturday and a woman said to me, you look gorgeous, which was so nice, and a bit of a shock! It did make me feel good about myself and its rare to get that from another woman, if it's from a guy, I just think he's coming on to me and discount it.

So, how do we feel about this, ok or not?

Yes, to friends and colleagues, all the time.

I think it about strangers often, but don't say it. Maybe I'll reconsider.

I told my GP that I liked her dress as she was preparing to do an internal exam on me ( not that I was buttering her up to be gentle )

All the time and it's always genuine.
I always find myself commenting when someone wears a colour that looks great on them. I rarely do it to strangers but I've occasionally seen someone trying something on in a changing room and looking great so tell them.

Rarely with strangers, but if you are on the receiving end it is a real boost. Christmas shopping last year and someone came up and asked where I had got my (really ancient) Boden raincoat from, because it was "so lovely" , I've also been asked where I get my hair cut - that not only pleases me but also my hairdresser when I tell her. One time when I do comment is if I see someone parading up and down the communal bit of a changing area clearly uncertain about a dress which looks really wonderful - I certainly tell them it really suits them (if it does)

EnquiringMingeWantsToKnow wrote:
So a straight woman saying "what a great jumpsuit" is fine. A straight man saying "I really like that miniskirt on you" may be dodgy.

A good point. My DH is into clothes and will sometimes compliment me or close friends (female or male) on an item of clothing we are wearing. He says he wouldn't do that to a stranger as he once said "nice shoes" to a woman in a shop and she reacted as if he'd just asked her to go out the back for a quickie!

Yes, all the time.

Including strangers, particularly if they're outfit/ hair etc is a bit out-there-stylish.

Yes, all the time. It's so nice to get a compliment and I like making people smile.

We're probably not an accurate cross section of society. Women on a style and beauty board are going to be women who notice and appreciate style and beauty. We probably comment on it more than others.

I stop strangers in the street and ask them where they got their clothes from loads

Yes, but (of course) only when genuine and only in relation to things like clothes, haircuts etc which isn't an innate part of the person - so i would be very cautious about commenting on weight loss, unless it was a very close friend who i knew was trying to lose weight, and I knew would react well to some encouragement.

With strangers it's different and I don't tend to, but a couple of times strangers have complimented me on my hair (a while ago now, when I had a pixie cut) and that was great - really nice to get a compliment.

A stranger also complimented me once on a now sadly lost coat (it would be far too small for me anyway) which was fine until she asked how much it was, and I had to confess that it was outrageously expensive as opposed to being some bargain charity shop find I don't think I'd ask the price of something, whether a friend or stranger.

I have both given and received compliments to and from complete strangers, always women, and it's just the best, you either feel great or make someone feel great. So an absolute yes for me!

Yes, little things to customers if I think it's appropriate - depends on how chatty the person is. Just "ooh, aren't they lovely sandals, so sparkly" or "I like your umbrella" if she's just staggered in from the rain.

I also mentioned to a lady trying on a coat in a charity shop how lovely it looked from the back because it hung nicely, as there wasn't enough space for her to see the back. She came over later, said she wasn't going to buy it but thanked me for the comment.

I guess it feels like someone else is affirming your choices.

All the time.

I once told a stranger she had beautiful legs. I was walking being her and we stopped at a crossing. They were stunning and I was so jealous. She looked a bit shocked but said thank you.

All the time. In fact, I have chased strangers down in the street to say I loved their look. I frequently get compliments on my hair/clothes from randoms and it is so cheering. Spread the love!

i will compliment a stranger on an outfit or shoes or bag etc as when i have received an equivalent compliment it has made my day.

I will compliment my friends if they are looking nice or have a great outfit and vice versa. I have stopped strangers in the street to ask where they bought something lovely they are wearing. I have made some great discoveries that way and I was thrilled recently when somebody chased me down O'Connell St in Dublin to ask where I had my hair done. Sadly for her it was 400 miles away, but I was flattered to be asked.

At a conference recently I complimented a strangers beautiful embellished trainers. Turns out they were Dior and on investigating I discovered they cost £800.00! A bit out of my league.

I was on holiday in Ibiza in May and was walking down the st during the day wearing a v nice green maxi dress. A bloke shouted ' nice dress', to which I made no reply. Then he shouted, ' say thank you!'. I did but really I wanted to stick the finger to him as he wasn't commenting on my sartorial elegance but actually saying ' nice tits'! ( I'm quite busty and the dress was a bit low cut) However I was wearing the same dress this Sat when a woman complimented me and it had a completely different meaning...!

I had a very short crop years ago and would get strange women telling me how much they loved it and that they wish they were brave enough. I hated it and it was a 'mare to grow out.

I've complimented strangers on their swishy hair and I was followed down a street by one who wanted to know where my boots were from.

Yeah, sometimes. Like nice dress, or you're so pretty. But not to strangers. People in school, at work.

Yes, but usually if we're interacting anyway, like at work or in a shop or similar. I've often wanted to compliment ppl, eg on the tube or in the street, but worried it'd be seen as weird. Reading this, I think I need to get over myself and just do it!

Loving this thread and hearing about all the nice compliments!

One of the best I had was a few years ago when I'd ventured to the shops wearing a black mini-dress with stripy multicoloured tights. Felt a little self-conscious (even though I like to "dress up"). Two old ladies in front of me at the checkout. One turned to me and said "I wish I'd worn stripy tights when I was younger". Felt great.

I do, all the time. I make a particular point of complimenting the person-"you look lovely in those trousers/that top's such a good colour with your hair" etc.

I work in a v stressful job where it's not uncommon to get personal insults about appearance etc and while most of the time it's water off a ducks back sometimes it can hit home!

Yes, always. It doesn't matter if I know them or not. I'll be more reserved with strangers but if they have fabulous hair, I'll say so and ask where they go. If it's someone I know then I'll simply say they look stunning or compliment whatever it is that's caught my eye.

The question is, why wouldn't you do that?

When I was a lot younger and did this, my sister used to say that women would think I was a lesbian if I complimented them.

Yes. I have had a complete stranger complement my shoes this week. Perked me up no end. It's a small thing to do but it makes people happy, so always yes, but casually, to friends, family, the girl in our local coffee shop with the flawless make up and big smile...