Complimenting strangers.

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 !

I speak to people on buses, shop queues, trains, you name it. I find people often approach me to ask for help. It appears I have “a nice face” - or so I’ve been told. A laugh and a joke makes the world go round. Too many young folk miss out on that with their earpieces rammed in. It’ll be a much quieter world when our generation has gone! Having said that, I find young ones are equally kind and helpful when approached. It all depends how you do it.

I think it's a lovely thing to do. We can lift someone's whole day with a few kind words.

I try to say something nice to parents who are struggling with badly behaved or grumpy children - the parents who are generally trying to keep everything together and failing. A kind word on a bad day goes a long way.

Yesterday it was a mum with lots of shopping and two small children in a buggy who were miserable in a very hot shop. She had a (roughly) 5 year old who was carrying all the gloves and hats but the little two were flailing about and wanted out... one had managed to kick off a boot and the other was shouting and grabbing at things as they passed by.
She was trying to buy some knickers...
She was doing her best to keep their minds on other things but I know she would be pleased to be home after that.
I just exchanged a few words and she seemed to relax a bit and smile.
People can be so judgemental about children when out and about. It’s not an easy job even keeping them in one place!

Just don’t ask me to be so sympathetic to the ones allowed to run madly around a restaurant when we’re out for a quiet supper!

I will talk to everyone and anyone given the chance,years ago when going to Liverpool clubs we would be in the "ladies" and all manner of compliments would be passed around as to the dress/makeup/shoes other girls where wearing all greatly accepted northern girls are such a friendly lot.

On the odd occasions I'm actually buying myself new clothes (less and less these days!) I'll always compliment someone who is trying something on if I think they look nice in it (wouldn't dream of saying anything if I think they look frightful!). I've never had a negative response. And I always talk to strangers on buses or on the tube (I live in London) - have had some lovely conversations over the years.

I’ve got long curly red hair, and it draws attention. One lady in a shop said I had lovely hair and actually took a handful of it and have it a shake !! I’ll take the compliment but not the touching

I will always talk to strangers... tell a lie, sometimes since dh died, I have to pop to local shop when just want to cry,, then I scoot in and out with head down

fortunately that does not happen often, so I will speak to anyone,, I don`t approach someone if they look as though they don`t want to be spoken to.. well not everyone does, I will tender a quiet hello, and pray, silently for them

compliment someone I don`t know?? of course, why not? however, I am basically shy, so if someone compliments me, and I have received some, I cringe!

You never know the impact a kind word/gesture can have on someone. I’m a great believer in passing kindness on-without being intrusive, of course!

Dollymac … so easy to break through the outer shell we all have, with a genuine kind gesture isn't it?

What a lovely story Dee1012 Thank you

Callistemon … The other day, two boys, one became distressed about something (aged 8ish?) the other put his arm around him and gave him his choccy bar and a pep talk. Soon they were laughing together.
I was a overcome at this touching scene, and just had to say 'well done', to the choccy bar owner, and gave him a coin to get another one for himself.
I've since seen them out and about and they shyly say hello now.

Once, many years ago, I'd had the most awful week.
Personal issues and work, it was just horrendous. I was waiting for the bus home one evening, feeling like I wanted to crawl into a hole when a woman started to chatter away to me. I really wasn't in the mood but made polite sounds...as you do!
The bus arrived and I said goodbye and smiled, she looked at me and said 'you should do that more often, what a lovely smile'. That woman absolutely made my day, in fact I can remember sitting on the bus grinning to myself.
So to those who pay a compliment, please carry on. To someone, it could mean more than you know.

I do sometimes and if children have been kind or well-behaved I'll say so to the parent/carer.

I chat to people or find they chat to me in queues etc and DH always says 'I see you've found another new best friend'.

Fennel I remember the red headed toddler

I had a rather lovely experience in town today, it was 'pass on a kindness ' experience. A thing that schools are doing here.
A young boy approached us, gave us a chocolate and asked us to pass on a kindness to someone else, if we were able
I was moved to tears

kissngate … unsettling someone you approach is the downside to putting yourself out there. There will be some people or situations that just fall flat!

No I don't think butting in is really a very good idea, but I expect most people your husband talks to don't mind!

Fennel … I remember that thread! I also love red auburn hair!

My OH speaks to anyone, sometimes I get embarrassed when he buts in other people's conversations who are on the next table or behind on a bus. I once complimented a lady on her hair at the local gym. She was quite taken back and completely avoided eye contact after that.

Grannyrebel7 sounds just like my DH! I don't speak to strangers, just about acknowledge neighbours, but he speaks to anybody with the slightest excuse! I keep telling him he chats too much while he says I'm unsociable!

I talk to everyone too, Namsnanny. I've had some interesting conversations with strangers.
As for complimenting, I often do that too. But I got into a lot of trouble on here once about my praise of a redhead toddler - never forgotten it .

Well pantglas2 … I shall remember her words about my hair because its made me look at it with fresh eyes.

To be honest and I know its hard to believe, I do it without even looking in the mirror nowadays!
I can do it by feel, and that means I don't have to remind myself of my baggy ugly mug first thing in the morning!

JackyB … Yes I agree it is a fine line between invading someones privacy and being cordial.

I think being sensitive to the environment or conditions the person you wish to talk too is in, is important.

If they are deep in a book, or conversation with another. Or possibly avoiding eye contact with those around them. Then I'd probably think twice about it.

But if they seem 'open' to being approached, I dive in!

So true SirChenjin- I can always remember a kindness said/done for me no matter how long ago and I like to pass it on.

TrendyNannie6 … I love that idea, lots of grannies out there complimenting random men on random things!
What do you recon they would think?

Grannysomerset … I totally agree. It's hard being a Mother sometimes. I know I certainly appreciated it when others praised my children's behaviour. Especially if they had been kind. I really like that.

Greenfinch … her hair sounds so beautiful, I wish I could have seen it, I would have complimented her too!!

I know - but I’ll bet they get more out of it I can still remember compliments complete strangers have paid me years later!

Funnily enough Curlywhirly I'm not a chatterbox.
If any of the compliments strayed into actual 'conversations' I'd probably stiffen and mumble something in audible!!

Bit strange of me really. I know my limitations.
I'm a shy self conscious anxious person in public.

But I try to balance that with short bursts of contact!

SirChenjin ...Nice of you to say so, but as I said it gives me something back too.