Complimenting strangers.

My hubby is another one who happily chats to anyone and everyone! I'm not so keen, but do smile at people. I have paid compliments to others sometimes, and agree that it's cheering to have someone do that for you.

Namsnanny I don’t know what random men would think if I went up to them and complimented them they would probably be as happy as a woman to receive compliment lol but I would be more inclined to compliment ladies, not saying that a man shouldn’t be complimented of course, I think it makes everyone feel good to have a compliment,

There is an elderly lady in our town - much older than me! - and she always looks amazing. She has real style and her outfits are eye catching; flowing scarves, subtle colours and always nicely applied makeup. We came face to face in a shop doorway once and I blurted out - 'You always look so marvelous'. She went pink and thanked me - I hope I made her day and didn't embarass her!

I’ll tell someone trying on a dress or something if it looks good, as I am pleased if they say it to me, without being prompted.

I often chat to strangers and like to give compliments when I am able. A while back I heard a young woman in the supermarket stoically refusing her child’s demands for chocolate. I remarked how refreshing it was to hear a parent stick to her guns, instead of caving in to a nagging child. She seemed very pleased by my compliment. However, when I passed them outside the shop, about ten minutes later, she looked very embarrassed. Her little girl was happily tucking into a Mars bar! Oops!

Please continue, Jacky B and others.
I live on my own and although I'm involved in quite a few activities I rarely receive a compliment, There's no one at home to say 'that meal was nice', or similar positive comments, so when I do receive a compliment, however small, I savour it in my mind for days, if not weeks!
You are brightening other people's days.

Pantglass2. "Foxtrot Oscar"!! What a fun phrase - shall keep that tucked away for the right occasion!!

I always compliment strangers but I never thought about it being selfish. Namsnanny is right, though! It makes me feel so good to see the person brighten up. It always makes me feel better when it happens to me, too, especially when I'm feeling down.

I can't say I actually compliment on a regular basis but I do talk to strangers regularly, a queue, a coffee shop, a frazzled parent etc. Never yet had a negative response - we are naturally sociable animals after all.
Intrigued re. the red hair thread, no idea what it was about ! I am/was a natural redhead, the red has faded to a degree and now streaked with white. I 'm often asked by total strangers where I have my hair coloured , I almost feel guilty saying "Sorry, I don't".

I do like to pay a compliment to someone who has well behaved children, as it seems to be a rarity now days, i think they deserve acknowledgement. Let's them know it's appreciated & they're doing a good job.

I sometimes compliment strangers. I was in Anthropologie in Bath just before Christmas and a lady who looked a bit lacking in confidence was having a nervous twirl in the mirror outside the fitting rooms. The dress suited her very well, so I told her how lovely she looked in it and she beamed. I remember my own happiness when in a restaurant someone made the comment that is was good to see boys eating proper food as mine tucked into a seafood platter with all the whelks, clams etc. etc. on it.

I like to give compliments, make a bit of a joke etc., all helps to oil the wheels of modern society and I find others are usually happy to respond. My best - and funniest - was at a Space Spectacular concert in the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago; there were two quite young children in the row behind and at the end of the concert I complimented the parents on the excellent behaviour of their children. The little girl - probably about 6/7 - asked her daddy what I'd said and he told her "the lady said how well behaved you are". She smiled at me and said "And you were very well behaved too"! My husband said to her "Of course, she's not always this well behaved" and we all ended up laughing, which was a lovely thing to share with complete strangers.

I am not the sort who will respond to strangers comments should they be on the personal side ie lovely smile /like your hairstyle etc or will I make them.
When in a long supermarket checkout queue it can be tedious and I will on occasions make comments on a typical Brit subject the weather, if it happens to be raining other than that I find the majority want to get to the till in silence.

I remember also remember the red head post.

We both speak to strangers about all sorts of things and to compliment where appropriate. A stranger is a friend you haven’t met.

I always seem to attract conversations from others. Doesn’t matter where I go, others, mainly elderly folk (I’m nearly 70!) often ask if they can join me in a coffee shop (when there are other vacant tables) and within 10 minutes I have their life history! I really don’t mind and often wonder if I’m the only person they’ve spoken to all week! I wholeheartedly agree with those who’ve said ‘a smile costs nothing’ and usually is returned. Let’s all try to make someone happy every day!

What a lovely lot you are!
I thought we were supposed to be a standoffish lot in the uk?

I have complemented people on the behaviour of their children. I do smile at strangers all the time...smiles get passed on.

Lovely stories here. I've complimented mums talking to their kids in a buggy - talking, and not engrossed in their phones. Did it with some trepidation, but all of them seemed chuffed.

My husband compliments people all the time. Mostly ladies but I dont mind. If the check out lady at Tesco feels flattered I'm happy for them.

jaylucy ''I often compliment strangers!
My son always says that I will talk to anyone (he's right) and has given up asking where I know them from !''

made me smile - I always talk to strangers, or smile- not just to compliment, but to reassure or include, be it a mum struggling with a toddler, or someone who doesn't quite seem to fit for whatever reason, someone very old, etc... and my daugthers have also given up on asking why and how. Makes the world such a better place <3

Sometimes it's those subtle little exchanges with a complete stranger that are so lovely. Not so long ago a young woman sitting opposite me on a train pointed to my necklace, smiled and gave me a thumbs up. It was a shared woman to woman moment of appreciation that spanned generations.

Ive done a "that looks lovely" in a queue in a clothes shop but thats probably as far as Id go with a stranger!!

One thing I challenge myself to do is make a grumpy looking person smile. I smile at them, hold their gaze, and they always smile back. Such a transformation!

It is something I often do - it only takes an 'I love your earrings' to make someones day - so why not?
I'd advise anyone to try it - it only takes a moment and is so rewarding for everyone.

Yes I compliment strangers. I can remember how great I felt when a waitress made a point of telling me, many moons ago now. That my children had been a pleasure to serve because they had said please and thank you to her. So now I try and make mums feel good. I tell mums they're doing a good job when they're looking exasperated too. If I see a woman trying on a coat or jacket for example in a shop and they're alone, I will say if it suits them, "What a lovely colour" etc.