Flattered or annoyed

I would be flattered

I often compliment random strangers! I also compliment anyone whose style I admire. I don't struggle to do it, but I have rarely had it happen to me so either my style is very bad or it's something people struggle to do.

A couple of years ago I was on holiday and went down to dinner wearing a flared white dress with red and black roses on it and a white shawl. A lady stopped me and said ‘ I just wanted to say how beautiful you look’ It made my day!

If I’m in a clothes shop trying something on & I see someone trying something on & looking in the mirror I will tell them if I think they look lovely in it . It is nice to compliment someone & a stranger compliments me It makes my day a bit brighter

I will often compliment ladies on their clothes, how sweet their dog is and on how well mannered their children are. I work in an art gallery and meets lots of people every day and they are always delighted when I comment especially parents of young children when I mention how well mannered the children are.

Flattered

Earlier this year I was looking for a good hairdresser, I spotted a lady in the building society whose hair was superb and I said so to her, not only was she flattered but she gave me the phone number of the hairdresser, the cost of a cut and blow dry and even phoned them to say that she had passed on their details to me and she hoped they would have a new customer. I booked and mentioned the lady and the hairdresser gave me a sample shampoo/conditioner for booking and said that the lady would receive the same. Good business all round and she is a fab hairdresser. So in lean times for businesses just now they need all the help they can get, so compliment away I say.

I would tell someone, but wouldn't ask where they got the item from unless they offer the information.

I was wearing my purple floral Doc Martin boots in Aldi and male cashier came by and said ‘I love your boots!’ Made my day ?

daffers, i doubt that was a paramedic; may have been privatised hosp transport. a HCP would not accept such a gift, only things that can be shared with colleagues, eg nibbles/flowers.
actually that driver/escort should not really have done that, it could be seen as exploitative.
i understand that it pleased you to do so, but the worker was crossing a boundary.

I often compliment people on their dogs!

A complete stranger of a wee man in a flat cap approached me sideways in Sainsbury's and said "don' fall asleep". There is a twisted sense of humour in the East Midlands that mistakes inappropriateness for humour.

The customs officer told me I was very beautiful. I felt happily surprised.

I have sometimes wanted to know what perfume a woman was wearing so that I'd know what not to buy, but I never asked.

Flattered

I love to give and receive compliments.
Btw, you look great today, Streaky! x

I once admired someone’s hair style and colouring (several different colours). It looked really nice. The lady beamed with a big smile and replied ‘thank you so much, my friend styled my hair for me’.

Yes, I have often admired things I've seen other people wear, but like the OP, I have not wanted to offend by asking where something was purchased.
Just complimenting someone on their appearance shouldn't be taboo, in my opinion.

I have received compliments myself sometimes, and am happy to say where a given item was purchased and at what cost.

Years ago a stranger in a theatre said how lovely my velvet skirt was, I've never forgotten it.

I would be flattered. Whilst I was in a coffee shop the other day with a friend a couple of ladies on the adjoining table said they loved my haircut and style and asked for my hairdressers name - I was very flattered! Especially as I had blow dried it myself that day and I never think I do it as well as my hairdresser.

I often stop and ask where someone has bought a item and will never hesitate to tell a woman how lovely they look. I have also told a lady who was shopping for a wedding guest out fit that the 2 pieces she had chosen to try on didn't go together, her stroppy teen daughter was badgering her to just "grab something as nothing would look good anyway"

Years ago, an elderly lady sitting opposite me on a train gave me a lovely smile and complimented me on a summer dress I was wearing. I'd recently lost my partner to cancer and the dress was one of his favourites. It was quite an emotional moment but her comment really made my day.

I went up to a mum who had her baby in a papoose on the front. She was wearing a lovely dress with matching fabric headband and told her how lovely she looked. She was taken aback but also pleased that someone had said something to her too.

Whilst on holiday in Weymouth my late SIL
complimented a lady on the top she was wearing. However, she also added “I know it must be at least 20 years old as I had one”
Luckily the lady made a joke of it saying “Yes they made em to last in those days” and took no offence. Always a plain speaker my SIL

I’ve had a few times over the years when total strangers have come up to me and complimented an outfit, asked where it was from etc and I find
this very flattering. Likewise I would do the same if I saw a stunning outfit.

I complimented someone yesterday when I was having my toe nails polished. I told the woman next to me she had lovely feet. She was quite pleased. I often compliment people and have yet had a curt reply.