How do you compliment someone on cultural attire without offending in a workplace setting?
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Anonymous
| Example: Team mate always dresses so nicely - her clothes match down to her jewelry and shoes. Every single day she pairs colors together that just stand out and look great. For instance, she has on the prettiest shades of chartreuse and turquoise today. I believe the head garment that she wears is the hijab. Is it rude to say that she matches her outfits beautifully? Her entire outfit is gorgeous and the material and color designs of her headwear make everything stand out. |
Anonymous
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I would tell her that I have always appreciated her eye for color. There's nothing wrong with that! |
Anonymous
| It's really not appropriate to comment on the personal appearance of someone else, OP, particularly not at work. If you feel like you have to do this, a general compliment along the lines of, "I really appreciate the colors you choose for your clothing, Colleague." |
Anonymous
| "You always look so put together and coordinated. You must enjoy it." |
Anonymous
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Why qualify it with the head wrap? Why not just.compliment her the way you would anyone?
"Larla, I love your bright outfits. Everything is always so coordinated and colorful and I'm so envious you have the eye to pull outfits together like that". No need to say "larla I just love how you match your hijab to the rest of your clothes and jewelry" |
Anonymous
That doesn't really sound like a compliment. I would worry that I was too matchy if someone told me that... I always just say "I love your outfit." This only really works if you're a woman saying it to a woman though. I don't want men complimenting my clothes at work. |
Anonymous
| That is a gorgeous outfit! I love it! |
Anonymous
| A couple of weeks ago I complimented the headscarf a woman was wearing, she seemed a little surprised at first & then was absolutely tickled. We had a really interesting conversation about the logistics of wearing a headscarf. She seemed very happy to answer my questions about them. |
Anonymous
| You look so nice today! You look nice everyday.... |
Anonymous
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Do not say anything.
Work with her and leave it at that. |
Anonymous
| "That's a beautiful outfit!" works. Some people might not mind if you say something that points out that their manner of dress is culturally unfamiliar to you, other people are sick of hearing comments that imply their clothes are "cultural attire" while your clothes are normal. |
Anonymous
| work it |
Anonymous
I agree. If you imply in any way that you couldn't pull it off, you're emphasizing that it's "cultural attire" and not just attire. |
Anonymous
This |
Anonymous
| I work with people from all over the world. If someone is wearing something I genuinely like, I tell them. I just tell them what I genuinely like about it - the color is stunning, the look is great, whatever. |