A guy did something like that to me once. I was walking on the sidewalk at a strip mall in Annandale, wearing a skirt/top/heels. I had just come from a job interview and needed to pick up a few things from the store...

Next thing I know, I see a guy coming towards me from the parking lot looking very happy to see me. I remember thinking "Do I know this guy?" But I was completely drawing a blank. Soon he was next to me and he said in a breathless voice "I just want you to know that you are absolutely breathtaking. That's all I wanted you to know. You're beautiful." I was used to being hit on but this took me aback. I laughed and said "Uh, thank you!" and continued on into the store.

Soon I was standing in line and guess who got into line right behind me? Yep. This time he noticed my engagement ring and asked "Are you engaged?" and I told him that I was. He smiled at me and said "He is one lucky guy"....again I was speechless. What could I say?

I really think that there is some guy group (a gym? a fraternity? something like that) who must use this sort of line on women? Either that, or love at first sight is a real thing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh have you never received a compliment before? Only creepy thing is your insane over analysis of it. Sometimes a compliment is just that - a damn compliment.

+1
This is nothing to think twice about

+100

I'm a woman I really feel bad for guyz now. Some of the women out there are really neurotics to the point of creepy. Whenever I receive a compliment from a stranger I say thank you with a smile and keep it moving. If I'm in a good mood I reply, you look great yourself and that's it. Nothing to analyze afterwards the moment is now over. I guess some women never receive public compliments and I can see why. Smh

All of this.

Agreed!

Anonymous wrote:I have men and women say things to me and I always say "thank you" and take it as a compliment. Why do people get weirded out by acts of kindness? Do we have our heads that far up our own asses?

+1. Say "thank you" and move on.

I had a guy come up and tell me, "you are a goddess". How sweet! Made my day

If you go through life looking at everything as "half empty", you are a miserable person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. To those who say learn to take a compliment, I have no issue with random compliments from men and women like you have great smile or hair. I get those from women and older men and reciprocate to others when appropriate and unintrusive. People seem to appreciate and I do too when getting such compliments.

This felt different and it was hard to convey that part in writing. First, he was a guy and he looked interested; maybe it was his gaze and tone. Second, yes he was a decent looking guy. I'm used to obviously leery and creepy guys saying such things, but this guy was fairly decent looking. He'd have no issue finding a date. That's why I was surprised he was using this as a pick up line. He seemed interested.

The comment about responding "I know" was funny. If only I were that bold! Instead I just blush and turn the other way.

I guess I don't understand what the problem was if it was a "pick up line". Couples have met in grocery stores, it's not just an urban legend. He wasn't threatening or inappropriate. He didn't push or try to pursue when you shower disinterest. Why the discussion as if he did something wrong?

How much of feminism these days is simply "keep ugly mens away from me"?

Anonymous wrote:I have men do this to me. I do the same thing. I make my smile awkward and say, "Thanks" and look away, back towards whatever I was doing. I find it truly intrusive and annoying.

Serious question here:

How do you propose men introduce themselves to women to seek romantic interest, or is that only acceptable on Tinder/OKCupid/etc.? I mean, what is acceptable means of a man expressing romantic interest towards you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh have you never received a compliment before? Only creepy thing is your insane over analysis of it. Sometimes a compliment is just that - a damn compliment.

+1
This is nothing to think twice about

+100

I'm a woman I really feel bad for guyz now. Some of the women out there are really neurotics to the point of creepy. Whenever I receive a compliment from a stranger I say thank you with a smile and keep it moving. If I'm in a good mood I reply, you look great yourself and that's it. Nothing to analyze afterwards the moment is now over. I guess some women never receive public compliments and I can see why. Smh

All of this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh have you never received a compliment before? Only creepy thing is your insane over analysis of it. Sometimes a compliment is just that - a damn compliment.

+1
This is nothing to think twice about

+100

I'm a woman I really feel bad for guyz now. Some of the women out there are really neurotics to the point of creepy. Whenever I receive a compliment from a stranger I say thank you with a smile and keep it moving. If I'm in a good mood I reply, you look great yourself and that's it. Nothing to analyze afterwards the moment is now over. I guess some women never receive public compliments and I can see why. Smh

Anonymous wrote:Creepy loser male who feels entitled to interrupt women in public. Nothing new about it.

If you want to have fun, next time say "I know" and watch him get flabbergasted and angry. If you just want to get rid of him quick, (what most women want) then a "thank you" and turning back around is perfect. Don't reward men who intrude on women's time. You did the right thing.

Let me guess. You're single with cats, right?

OP, this is much ado about nothing. Learn to appreciate yourself more and not get all flustered when men approach you. If you're not available or interested, just enjoy some light flirting LOL

Anonymous wrote:Op here. To those who say learn to take a compliment, I have no issue with random compliments from men and women like you have great smile or hair. I get those from women and older men and reciprocate to others when appropriate and unintrusive. People seem to appreciate and I do too when getting such compliments.

This felt different and it was hard to convey that part in writing. First, he was a guy and he looked interested; maybe it was his gaze and tone. Second, yes he was a decent looking guy. I'm used to obviously leery and creepy guys saying such things, but this guy was fairly decent looking. He'd have no issue finding a date. That's why I was surprised he was using this as a pick up line. He seemed interested.

The comment about responding "I know" was funny. If only I were that bold! Instead I just blush and turn the other way.

It could've still been a compliment without any real expectations even if he was a good looking guy who looked interested. If he actually wanted a date, he would've tried harder to talk to you. Maybe in other circumstances he would've but thought it too weird/awkward to try while waiting in line at the grocery store so he settled for complimenting you.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. To those who say learn to take a compliment, I have no issue with random compliments from men and women like you have great smile or hair. I get those from women and older men and reciprocate to others when appropriate and unintrusive. People seem to appreciate and I do too when getting such compliments.

This felt different and it was hard to convey that part in writing. First, he was a guy and he looked interested; maybe it was his gaze and tone. Second, yes he was a decent looking guy. I'm used to obviously leery and creepy guys saying such things, but this guy was fairly decent looking. He'd have no issue finding a date. That's why I was surprised he was using this as a pick up line. He seemed interested.

The comment about responding "I know" was funny. If only I were that bold! Instead I just blush and turn the other way.

I guess I don't understand what the problem was if it was a "pick up line". Couples have met in grocery stores, it's not just an urban legend. He wasn't threatening or inappropriate. He didn't push or try to pursue when you shower disinterest. Why the discussion as if he did something wrong?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You said thank you. You didn't ignore him. Might have been nice had you made eye contact, smiled and brightly said "Thank you!"

Have you ever considered he might not have been trying to pick you up? I'm a straight female and sometimes compliment people when something about them strikes me - their great smile, a bracelet, their shoes, whatever - and I'm not trying to pick anyone up.

Have you ever stopped a man in public and said, "Extreme me, sir, but you are stunning." Right. I thought not.

Of course it was a pickup attempt. And thats being charitable.

I've complimented strangers on the bus, in the elevator, on long lines at Whole Foods on their shoes, socks, bowtie, phone case.

This is different from what op describes. He wasn't complimenting her on her shoes or watch. He said you are stunning. Very different type of compliment.

Op here. To those who say learn to take a compliment, I have no issue with random compliments from men and women like you have great smile or hair. I get those from women and older men and reciprocate to others when appropriate and unintrusive. People seem to appreciate and I do too when getting such compliments.

This felt different and it was hard to convey that part in writing. First, he was a guy and he looked interested; maybe it was his gaze and tone. Second, yes he was a decent looking guy. I'm used to obviously leery and creepy guys saying such things, but this guy was fairly decent looking. He'd have no issue finding a date. That's why I was surprised he was using this as a pick up line. He seemed interested.

The comment about responding "I know" was funny. If only I were that bold! Instead I just blush and turn the other way.

Anonymous wrote:Uh have you never received a compliment before? Only creepy thing is your insane over analysis of it. Sometimes a compliment is just that - a damn compliment.

+1
This is nothing to think twice about

I have men and women say things to me and I always say "thank you" and take it as a compliment. Why do people get weirded out by acts of kindness? Do we have our heads that far up our own asses?

Anonymous wrote:Ignore him.