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?

Absolutely, LanaorAna!

Besides, it's only 'gushy' if it's gushy. The use of that word in itself is pretty catsbum - it's perfectly possible to compliment someone sincerely and conversationally.

With friends/family/colleagues, all the time! With strangers, only if they're wearing something I really love, then I'll ask where they got it. But most women I know do this?

All the time, even with strangers I think it is nice to recieve a compliment and from a stranger it is more likely to be honest as they are under no obligation to be nice.

If I see a stranger wearing something I like I will often say so if I'm near enough to them.

And I think I generally do compliments to friends and colleagues - not all the time but for something noticeable. I'm working in 2 new teams at the moment so haven't hit my praise-stride yet but it's coming along slowly - I actually asked for praise the other day when I was showing off a dress I'd made and was wearing!

I always compliment if I think anyone looks good.

I do feel a shade of envy though as I am never stylish.

re children, I remember my mum and grandmother being +ve about my looks, I think it was saving for me, as I was bookish and felt that was my thing. It was great to have some positives in there.

Mind you, everyone tells my daughter how pretty she is, I am careful to encourage other values too.

Yes I do too.
Ever since many years ago a lady passed me in the street and complimented my shoes, and I thought what a lovely thing to do.

So now I do too...only when I genuinely mean it. I complimented a young woman , who was waiting outside a shop last Sunday, who looked like she was going to a wedding. I also have to compliment older ladies who manage to look stylish, but not dressed as lamb as that should always be admired. I did compliment an older lady in a department store on her style, and she looks shocked....I must be coming across a weirdo....

Aw I'm so glad I started this thread, was genuinely curious to know what other pp felt and it's been overwhelmingly positive. I'm now going to definitely say something to someone even if I don't know them as I can see how affirming it is to receive a compliment from a stranger

Thanks everyone who has taken the time to reply to this thread! 😀❤️

MackerelOfFact I almost choked on my drink reading your comment! Hahahaha

I've got better at this over time. Had it done to me and was struck by how such a simple thing had such a big effect in confidence and self esteem, even if just short lived/that day

If the person seems nice/approachable/in need of cheering up I will pay an honest compliment. Usually though I just pass comments on other people to my OH along the lines of 'I love her dress/hair/shoes/whatever' We went into town today and he actually told me to give it a rest! Lol

I was waiting for my Dh last week outside his work place and a woman was getting in her car and shouted across the street that I looked beautiful
I overheard a woman say she thought I posh because of the dress I was wearing on holiday.

I just came across this thread as I was searching for something else so it is a Zombie thread but who cares.
Yes I would always compliment someone if I liked what they were wearing and/or they were looking well.
But I know of two people in my wider social circle who do it and I know it's false. I hate that. Full of false flattery sh*te.

Rushing to my local supermarket lately an older lady commented on my dress and said how I looked lovely. It made my day.
Mind you she might need a new prescription at Specsavers

Oh I compliment people all the time. Well, women anyway. They always seemed pleased!

I always look at people around me, and almost always compliment them if I like something they are wearing. In a market in the Middle East, a young woman's abaya cuffs were beautifully embroidered, so I smiled at her and indicated them and her face lit up. You don't even need to speak the language. I get more pleasure from telling people that they look great than from receiving a compliment; their mood lifts, and they step a little lighter.

Yep ! I work in women's fashion and we all do it to each other .. it's nice to get compliments and to give them !

I regularly tell strangers that I love what they are wearing. Whenever it’s happened to me, I have really appreciated it, so like to pass it on. I told a lady the other week that I loved her dress. She was on what looked like a date but seemed rather glum. Her entire face lit up when I told her so was very happy I did!

Not tonnes and tonnes because I want people to know that I'm genuine and authentic when I give compliments. I want them to know that I really mean it rather than just saying compliments for the sake of it.

All the time but only if I know them or are already interacting with them in some way
I notice clothes/bags/shoes - hair - nails - jewellery - make up - weight and fitness and compliment accordingly
I often receive same re similar things - it cheers my day up

Forgot to say even on MN I appreciate the compliments on a nail or jewellery thread for example

Twice last week I had strangers, female, stop me in shops and tell me how lovely my dress was (a dress I have been very conscious people in here would probably say was frumpy). It really made my day both times! I definitely try to pass that on to others too.

Yes totally to people I know. But I don’t go up to random strangers and comment, the only exception is in a changing room

Yes all the time

Funnily enough I was speaking about this to DP over the weekend as I had a recent realisation
I was completely over any comments being made about my presentation to the world. I don’t want a compliment, I don’t want to talk about my bag or my hair, I want to discuss anything other than those things.

I understand that many people enjoy a compliment and I’ve certainly given out plenty myself. But unless someone has obviously done something different with their hair or asks my opinion on an outfit I’ve decided to just stop talking about people looks full stop.

I do, men or women, and children do ( I love your flashing shoes - I would love to have some like that).
I can remember clearly the few times strangers have said something like that to me - always made my day at the time, and I think of the comment when I wear that outfit or do my hair that way.