Compliments from Strangers on the Street

[joeym]

So, recently when I was walking to meet my sister in NYC from my apartment for lunch I had a man, maybe 10 years older than me, stop on the street and compliment me. It wasn't the first time it's happened but I'm always surprised when it does.

On this occasion all I was wearing was jeans, a t-shirt and a cardigan. Hardly anything to comment on.

Has anyone had this happen to you?

He was so polite that I wasn't offended more so embarrassed though.

What did he say?

 

[Enid]

What did he say?

she said in post #16 that he told her she looked nice. did you not read the thread?

 

[D_Maurice Mountlilly]

ladies.....have you mabey thought that you all look attractive?
it's just a thought.
feel bad and all that other crazy stuff if men don't compliment you.

 

[paigexox]

I don't acquire many genuine compliments, but that seems to be more of an age/environment thing.

That and I probably look mean. :saroll:

 

[EllieP]

Well, here in this part of Florida we're basically Deep South, Georgia, and the Southern Gentlemen are very free with their compliments. At the post office, grocers, and most recently at the DMV. My favorite was from a bagger at the local grocery, Publix, who must have been in his 80s. He said "You are one of the purtiest little ladies I've seen in a while." And then he apologized to the checker who just chuckled. I told her that he probably says that to every woman, and she said no, she never heard him compliment anyone before.

When you're 40 you make a note of every compliment you can get! LOL! I don't count the creepy stuff at the gym, though.

 

[EllieP]

I agree with one of the previous posters. I think because I'm friendly that I seem approachable. My husband sometimes thinks I'm too friendly, but even though I enjoy the compliments, I'm not trying to flirt (at least I don't think I am ?!?).

DeeDee, I'm the same way. I was raised in Texas where manners meant something, so I have a very friendly nature. I love smiling at people to try to get a smile back. Sometimes it's not read the right way, but I keep trying. My hubby thinks I flirt a bit much, and I probably do. But I can't really help the way I am.

 

[Mule]

There are times and places for it, but I'll always try to find a compliment for someone I meet. It takes a little practice to know what to say, how to say it and what to compliment. Get this wrong and it can definitely seem creepy. Get it right and you might make someone's day a little brighter, and I like the thought of that.

 

[D_Pomeroy Pokingstick]

I enjoy giving compliments, it's something that I think makes a difference to some people. Seeing an attractive women who for all I know could be having a bad day could be a great way to start a conversation, however the compliment may be as far as it goes. Ungenuine compliments for alternative motives can be sensed by women I am sure, and probably tend to go over the top.

I was curious, since we are on this topic. How do women feel about getting compliments on there clothes or wardrobe accessories by a man? is it less threatening or easier to accept rather than say a compliment on a physical characteristic?

I generally notice women who are dressed well, especially friends and I make compliments to them.

 

[marriedasian]

the last compliment i got was from a mom asking if i was single cause her daughter was into good-looking asian men. i wasn't but thanked her for asking.

 

[hsarge]

It really doesn't take much effort to be nice to people. One person told me 'Your ultimate reward will be to feel the happiness you gave to others; and the final damnation you will feel is the pain you caused to others.'

 

[Mule]

That and I probably look mean. :saroll:

From what I've seen of you, "mean" is not the word I would use.

 

[neweeble]

I'd be hesitant to compliment a random woman on the street. My guess is she'd think I was hitting on her or being creepy.
I might compliment a specific piece of clothing or something, but, as a stranger, to say a general "you look good"---I don't know. Ladies are typically creeped out by that, no?
Now, if it were acceptable and really appreciated----I'd do it a couple times a day...

 

[Canadian.Surfer]

I always try to give someone a compliment each day. It usually makes their day, or helps them feel better if their down.

I just do this because I always enjoy it when someone compliments me or something about me. Even if its just "Hey, good job on that test"

 

[B_crackoff]

So, recently when I was walking to meet my sister in NYC from my apartment for lunch I had a man, maybe 10 years older than me, stop on the street and compliment me. It wasn't the first time it's happened but I'm always surprised when it does.

On this occasion all I was wearing was jeans, a t-shirt and a cardigan. Hardly anything to comment on.

Has anyone had this happen to you?

He was so polite that I wasn't offended more so embarrassed though.

Fleur, I've just seen the photos that you've added, & they've just confirmed my mental vision of how perfect you are. Effortlessly yummy.

I'm staggered that it doesn't happy everyday - but that would get annoying very quickly! It's very hard to know how to react to a stranger complimenting you, but I'm sure that a blushes are the appropriate response, & even enhance the appeal (& she's modest with it!).

 

[Fleur]

Hehe, thanks Crackoff. I'm certainly a shy girl (paradoxically so given that I have nude pictures up). Blushing comes along with the territory with me.

 

[DeeDee36dd]

DeeDee, I'm the same way. I was raised in Texas where manners meant something, so I have a very friendly nature. I love smiling at people to try to get a smile back. Sometimes it's not read the right way, but I keep trying. My hubby thinks I flirt a bit much, and I probably do. But I can't really help the way I am.

My husband says the same thing. When we go to the clubs to dance, I get a lot of attention from other guys wanting to dance. I think that they are just being friendly, but my husband is probably right in that most do have other motives in mind.

 

[B_subgirrl]

I enjoy giving compliments, it's something that I think makes a difference to some people. Seeing an attractive women who for all I know could be having a bad day could be a great way to start a conversation,

Unattractive women have bad days too.

I was curious, since we are on this topic. How do women feel about getting compliments on there clothes or wardrobe accessories by a man? is it less threatening or easier to accept rather than say a compliment on a physical characteristic?

If a man complimented me on my clothes, I'd know he was lying - I don't dress particularly well. I would much rather they complimented me on me.

 

[AlteredEgo]

I used to smile at everyone, and even say hello to each and every person I passed. The Bronx will wear that out of you, though. I'm trying to get back into the habit now that I'm a Floridian.

The best compliments are the unusual ones. I would never think of my eyes as a particularly interesting feature. They are small, and nearly black. For this reason, I'll never forget the dude walking past my bus stop on East Gun Hill Rd. in the Bronx who paused just long enough to tell my my eyes were very pretty. I had never been told that before, and have rarely heard it since.

I have received tons of compliments on my winter coats. I have some lovely ones, including a full-length mink that seems to really turn heads.

Children seem drawn to me. When small children smile at me, I take that as a compliment, and I make a point to stop and speak with them. Children are very honest. They like you, or they just don't.

I get complimented nearly daily on my glasses. They are pretty cute.

A few months ago, a man followed me down the street a fair bit on the other side of the street. I'd walked right past him as I exited my complex. He'd been on his cell phone. He smiled, so I returned the smile, and tossed out a "Good afternoon" and quick as a bunny, I was across the street. I heard him tell the person on the other line he'd call them back, and I heard him trying to catch up with me, but Floridians and New Yorkers just do not walk the same way. I don;t think he thought I'd get so far so fast. He found himself on the wrong side of three lanes of traffic, while I paced the median. He called out to me, asked me to return, and I held up my hand, to show my wedding jewelry. I wished him a nice day. I suppose he didn't understand what I was showing him. Perhaps he chose to ignore it. I got across the other three lanes as cars continued to whiz past him, and could just barely make out that he wanted me to stand still and wait for him. I kept walking, and screamed back that I was married, and in a rush, but a siren and six lanes of traffic carried my voice away. He followed, thwarted by the street between us, until I veered off into the parking lot of the supermarket. I glanced over my shoulder, and he looked so disappointed. I found his determination on such a hot, oppressive day very complimentary. He spotted me a few days later, and tried again, but it was even hotter, and I was jogging, and I was still on the other side of all that traffic. He didn't follow as far. I guess he doesn't jog.

Random men frequently seem to think they are complimenting me when they approach me to discuss my breasts, but really, they are just offending me. At best, they are making themselves fodder for ridicule later. My ex and I still laugh about the guy who smiled at me, and then said, seemingly to my coat, "I like your features."

 

[SprinkleMe69]

Mainly I get compliments on my hair. However with my thanks on that compliment people think they can start stroking it. No way. That's sacred to me. The others are on perfume and white teeth.

 

[B_625girth]

I usually don't compliment women I don't know anymore. I did when I was younger and single. I would overcome my shyness, and walk up and introduce myself and compliment them someway. in my late 50's now, and younger gals seem to freak out if I you say, "oh, you look nice." or "pretty hair'. it all backfires, and they think you are a creep. even some of the young gals I know don't accept compliments very well. so the older gals I know are the ones I talk to, and compliment. some of you younger gals don't know what you are missing.