Complimenting strangers on their dress

[MakemineaGandT]

Do you ever do this?! I usually feel too awkward to do this and don’t want to accidentally offend someone somehow, so mostly just keep the thought in my head, which seems a shame really. But occasionally I’ve given a random stranger a compliment and it’s brightened my day as well as theirs. The best time ever was admiring a woman’s incredible jacket while waiting to pay for a car parking session. She was so delighted - it turned out she’d made it herself and it was her first time wearing it.

Once or twice it has happened to me and it really has made my day.

So my question is - do you do this or has it ever happened to you? Should we do it more?!

I do it. I hope I don’t embarrass them!

I have done it, and had it done to me.

I was at an event yesterday. I was feeling uncomfortable about what to wear. In the end I put a nice dress on but felt a bit conspicuous.

I'm fat and over 50 and losing a bit of confidence. A lovely lady told me how beautiful the colour of my dress was and that it looked wonderful. It was such a kind thing to say, was really lovely.

I definitely would, I remember after I had my DD, I think she was about 2 months and it was summer and I was really struggling with outfits in the heat whilst I was so soon post partum, a lady passing complimented my dress and how I look great, it really gave me more confidence

I do it quite regularly!

If i see someome looking lovely i'll tell them - beautiful dress or i love your shoes etc

It makes people smile & we can all use a bit of random positivity.

I do it quite a lot! I remember when someone did it to me in London once, I was crossing the road and an American woman stopped in her tracks and said, ‘Nice dress!’ It stayed with me as a lovely thing so I do it too. Hope it doesn’t make people feel awkward!

Happens to me a bit. I have people ask where I've bought things. One lovely lady who caught the bus with me regularly said I always look so nice, which was lovely.

I also say kind things to people eg that's a stunning blouse, love your dress, your hair is so beautiful - major hair envy! Mostly because you normally stare a bit if you're admiring something and it's better to say the positive rather than have them think they've got something in their teeth, for example. Never had someone respond badly.

I try compliment strangers whenever i like something, can make someone's day on the flip only one dress I have has had unlimited compliments and I got it in a charity shop😂

I did this today. A beautiful pale blue broderie anglaise midi in a London restaurant. The wearer seemed very happy to accept the compliment. There were a lot of lovely dresses around in the London sunshine today as the Duke of Edinburgh was presenting awards for the DOE award scheme at BP.

I was out with my DD last weekend and she was complimented on her outfit four times by other women. She didn't mind at all. I complimented someone on her beautiful nail designs this week, they really were a work of art.

Yes I’ve said it. When you say it unsolicited like that, it means it’s a genuine compliment straight from the heart.

I once ran faster to catch up with a woman wearing a really lovely sports top at Park Run to ask where she'd got it from. It was so very flattering. Sort of pleated down the middle of the back and below hip length. Perfect.

She came to find me at the end to say I'd made her day. She'd been on a long tough weight lost journey and nobody had ever complimented on her dress sense ever before.

I do and someone complimented my dress tonight. It’s a nice thing to do.

I do it, if I’m admiring something I tell them. It’s nice, no-one ever minds. It’s lovely when it happens to me.

I used to do it all the time, I always thought it was a nice thing and would brighten someone's day and I absolutely love the few times it's happened to me. Then in quick succession I had someone respond in a sort of 'i don't choose my clothes to impress others' sort of a way and also had someone I was with mention that 'your generation are so shallow and fixated on appearance these days, why would your opinion be relevant to a total stranger?'

Knocked my confidence tbh and haven't done it as much since.

I work in a shop, I quite often tell people they look nice/like their dress/hair etc. one lady came in and she smelt amazing, asked her what it was and then went on to buy it for myself. Everyone always smiles or says it’s made their day, if my one comment makes them feel happy and gives them a bit of confidence then it’s all good

I don’t because I am too shy, but at least once a week I have someone come up and say they like my hair or ask who cuts it. My DP finds it embarrassing because it happens so often. At a gig a couple of months ago it happened twice in one toilet queue! My hairdresser loves me because I send a lot of people his way. I have a bright orange long quilted coat from &OS that is a real Marmite item and people often stop me and say they like it - I think it’s just because it stands out so much in winter when people tend to wear darker colours.

I do, and just last week complimented a woman on her gorgeous jacket. Funnily enough she said another woman had come up to her and said the same thing only a few minutes previously.

I wonder if men do this to other men, or is it a woman thing?

A little girl (I’d say around 8 or 9?) out in primark with her mum complimented me my dress and hat today ☺️ it was honestly something that made my day. My hours have been majorly cut at work on my zero hours contract and I have been struggling with low self worth and just feeling lost, depressed and like I have no hope. This little girls compliment was something that even for a few minutes lifted my mood and distracted me from the horrible self-degrading inner voice in my head. Her mum appeared a bit taken aback or shy but I think she should be proud of herself raising such a kind young lady. Children never overthink these things and are honest, I wish us adults could learn to relax and be more like this! In fact if another adult complimented my dress I would feel like I could chat to them for a bit as they seem like a lovely person, maybe a potential friend, and that isn’t easy with my social anxiety.

This is lovely, keep doing it! I think a lot of people rarely get complimented so it’s nice to do. My favourite thing is offering to take photos for strangers that are taking selfies (eg at landmarks). I love the looks on their faces when they look at the nice photo I took of them.

You are not defined by your job, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you bring a lot to wherever you work. Maybe a chance to discover something new? X

I do!!? I compliment strangers on their clothes, hair colour/style and tattoos!! The compliments are always gratefully received and I we usually have a little chat ❤️

Sometimes yes and have had same back.

Don't let them dim your light!

I think the key is to be genuine. I would only mention it if I genuinely liked something. If it's a friend, I'm more likely to say if they are looking well or have a nice outfit on. Strangers- only very occasionally would I be moved to say anything. I can't think of a time I've complimented a stranger recently.

I did today. The lady was wearing a beautiful cotton dress.