Has a stranger ever paid you a compliment regarding your looks?

[Anonymous]

I was howled/cat called at a few months ago. Was walking in a store parking lot when this 30ish man came out of a store alone, leered at me and then made some howling sounds with a string of weird "yeah, Baby...umm oh yeahs"

I kept walking but gave him a raised arm with my middle finger on display. This pissed me off and then frightened and angered me. Giving him the finger could have felt like a threat. I felt powerless and embarrassed. Was I wearing some thing overtly sexy? Just the thought that I blamed myself...

By the way, I'm a middle aged mom.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

My apologies for such a poor representation and for making it seem that this is a singular situation that I pass a compliment on and I did a lousy job of describing what occurred in this one area. The only reason I used this example was that I was reminded today of a few specific times along this line and used that. I deal with the public everyday and I don't just randomly 'accost' people. Although it sure sounds like I do based on what I wrote. And the woman that asked about her ass...I had seen her several times and had some short passing conversations in business conferences...her question actually threw me but I think that was her intent and she seemed to get a kick out of it. The next few times I saw her nothing had changed.

I live my life treating people with great respect and seek opportunities to bring a smile and pay compliments in many areas and I routinely respond to opportunities to serve as they cross my path.

I accept the criticism applicable or not. And the reason I say not...you only know me by this and nothing more. And again...my apologies.

From here I will respond only to someone asking a question of me. Although I seriously doubt that will occur.

[Anonymous]

Road my bike cross-country. In bike shorts. Teenager working at Taco Bell in Arkansas told me I had tight buns.

[Anonymous]

Rode

[Anonymous]

I took my daughter clothes shopping at the mall and two different cashiers told me I have really nice hair. I rarely receive compliments, so it was nice to hear!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

My apologies for such a poor representation and for making it seem that this is a singular situation that I pass a compliment on and I did a lousy job of describing what occurred in this one area. The only reason I used this example was that I was reminded today of a few specific times along this line and used that. I deal with the public everyday and I don't just randomly 'accost' people. Although it sure sounds like I do based on what I wrote. And the woman that asked about her ass...I had seen her several times and had some short passing conversations in business conferences...her question actually threw me but I think that was her intent and she seemed to get a kick out of it. The next few times I saw her nothing had changed.

I live my life treating people with great respect and seek opportunities to bring a smile and pay compliments in many areas and I routinely respond to opportunities to serve as they cross my path.

I accept the criticism applicable or not. And the reason I say not...you only know me by this and nothing more. And again...my apologies.

From here I will respond only to someone asking a question of me. Although I seriously doubt that will occur.

For goodness sakes, pay a compliment without making a production of it.
'You like nice today'
'That color really suits you'
'Beautiful smile'
Very simple and you can still bring (most) people joy with those comments.

[Anonymous]

You are creepy.

Reminds me of the guy today who kept trying to talk to me as I waited in line at the checkout. When I was polite but not receptive, he accused me of being scared of him.

Then he waited till I was finished checking out (he was just before me) to walk out of the store, and when I speed walked to my car he shouted at me that I was "speeding up."

Ugh. Would be nice if we lived in a world in which men didn't feel such entitlement to female attention

[Anonymous]

I think it's going to depend on the woman. Some will be creeped out, some will be flattered. I would be flattered if it were done differently. It makes my day if someone pays me a compliment, but would rather hear something a little less forward. I'm almost 50, and younger men at work have been shocked when they find out my age, and one of them in his late 20s said "wow, you've aged a great." That made my day. But it came up in conversation. It wasn't just a random thing.

[Anonymous]

I'll get compliments on my hair and my outfits from acquaintances when I go out of my way to dress nicely. Strangers will sometimes compliment me on a perfume that I'm wearing or my hands/nails.

I used to have strangers compliment me on my looks when I was in my late teens/20's. I had guys stop me on the street to tell me how beautiful I was....and of course cat calls and whistles (yes, annoying but compliments in their own way)

That has not happened in a while!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are creepy.

Reminds me of the guy today who kept trying to talk to me as I waited in line at the checkout. When I was polite but not receptive, he accused me of being scared of him.

Then he waited till I was finished checking out (he was just before me) to walk out of the store, and when I speed walked to my car he shouted at me that I was "speeding up."

Ugh. Would be nice if we lived in a world in which men didn't feel such entitlement to female attention

OP...

Yes...what he did is wrong...I have never done that...ever...never would even consider it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll get compliments on my hair and my outfits from acquaintances when I go out of my way to dress nicely. Strangers will sometimes compliment me on a perfume that I'm wearing or my hands/nails.

I used to have strangers compliment me on my looks when I was in my late teens/20's. I had guys stop me on the street to tell me how beautiful I was....and of course cat calls and whistles (yes, annoying but compliments in their own way)

That has not happened in a while!

OP

Any man who can only compliment a woman when she is young has no idea of the beauty of a mature woman.

Question...your at the post office, a man saw you coming and you were having a rough day and not looking your best...sort of like me in my grubs and not having shaved...lol...how would it make you feel if that man waited for you while he held the door and greeted you with a smile and wished you a nice day.

BTW...I could never stare and have never cat called or whistled at a woman that wasn't my GF or wife and have never understood men that do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's going to depend on the woman. Some will be creeped out, some will be flattered. I would be flattered if it were done differently. It makes my day if someone pays me a compliment, but would rather hear something a little less forward. I'm almost 50, and younger men at work have been shocked when they find out my age, and one of them in his late 20s said "wow, you've aged a great." That made my day. But it came up in conversation. It wasn't just a random thing.

OP

And as I explained above...I did a poor job of describing the situation as if I just 'pounced'.

Thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

Just to tell you how common this is: I am 49yo and I get compliments on my looks almost daily, and some days, I get several. I'm pretty enough but not tall, not thin (about a size 12). I have good hair, am very curvy and look a good ten years younger. That's it. When I was in my 20s, the reactions from the men were more extreme. If I had a man say all that to me, I would just keep walking and pretend not to hear. I've had too many guys creep me out big time-- follow me, etc. Your delivery is way too long and sounds like it's a rehearsed pick up line, not a spontaneous compliment. If someone said something breezy and short ("beautiful lady" or "great smile"), I would smile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

My apologies for such a poor representation and for making it seem that this is a singular situation that I pass a compliment on and I did a lousy job of describing what occurred in this one area. The only reason I used this example was that I was reminded today of a few specific times along this line and used that. I deal with the public everyday and I don't just randomly 'accost' people. Although it sure sounds like I do based on what I wrote. And the woman that asked about her ass...I had seen her several times and had some short passing conversations in business conferences...her question actually threw me but I think that was her intent and she seemed to get a kick out of it. The next few times I saw her nothing had changed.

I live my life treating people with great respect and seek opportunities to bring a smile and pay compliments in many areas and I routinely respond to opportunities to serve as they cross my path.

I accept the criticism applicable or not. And the reason I say not...you only know me by this and nothing more. And again...my apologies.

From here I will respond only to someone asking a question of me. Although I seriously doubt that will occur.

For goodness sakes, pay a compliment without making a production of it.
'You like nice today'
'That color really suits you'
'Beautiful smile'
Very simple and you can still bring (most) people joy with those comments.

If a production lasts a minute or less...the compliment part....guess it would qualify. And as I stated above...I did a poor job.

Thanks for not pouncing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not spontaneous enough. Too practiced and studied.

That's my lady. Beautiful and direct.