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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsIs it going too far to compliment a stranger?
I went to a spaghetti dinner at my wife's (reasonably moderate Catholic church) tonight. One of the servers, a woman about my age (40) had amazing long flowing red locks. Without thinking I said "You have a beautiful head of hair.". She replied "thank you" in a pleasant tone of voice but then of course I thought "Geez, hope she didn't think I was hitting on her.". I try to be an open and direct person when I can, and simply wanted to pay a compliment to someone who deserved it. What do you think-nice guy remark or creepy stalker comment?
RC
(25,592 posts)madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)Just kidding.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)you should be okay
Was your wife okay with it??
That should give you some clue
mreilly
(2,120 posts)No follow up by me... my wife would be fine with the comment; we have kids with red hair (though neither of us are red-headed) and appreciate the hue. It's not as if I said "You have a beautiful face" (which she did) - wouldn't even be worth concerning myself with if it hadn't been at a church setting. I don't want the villagers to gather their torches for me next time I go (my wife is a liberal Catholic; I'm not religious) but would have been more concerned if the lady's response had been curt or offended. I think it's stupid to be concerned overall (boy don't we as a society claim to love honest people but then get mad at those who speak their minds?), but you just never know where words can carry you these days...
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)You never know, you might have made her day. If someone takes offense to a small compliment, it is their problem. Obviously, this woman was not offended, so all is well.
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)no. It isn't going too far.
In fact, one of the best compliments I ever got was from a stranger, in 1978 at a social function. I was with then-husband and some other friends.
A strange man walked up to me and said, "I just wanted to tell you I think you are lovely". I was surprised, but thanked him...he smiled and walked away.
That was it.
It was 34 years ago, and I remember it like yesterday. That guy probably never realized how cool I thought that was.
Compliment from a stranger who wanted nothing from me.
yellowcanine
(35,692 posts)elleng
(130,153 posts)She's probably heard it before, and appreciates the compliment.
Orrex
(63,085 posts)Then probably not too creepy.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)I don't see any problem.
monmouth
(21,078 posts)do that if there has been eye contact however...LOL..