Complimenting the clothes of women in the street.

Sea Filly

My friends think this is a bit strange, but if I see a woman in the street wearing an item of clothing or accessory I like, I will often stop her to compliment her or ask her where she got. If I don't stop someone, I'll still generally stare with an inane grin on my face. And I always comment on the clothing I like of friends and colleagues.

Sometimes I worry that it comes across as fake or something but I genuinely don't comment unless I love the item in question.

I dunno, it's a nice way to connect with strangers in the street, if only for a minute. It's humanising, I like it.

Anyone else do this or is it just me?

Fluorescence

It's happened to me a few times (normally to ask about my hair colour and how to get it so vibrant). Makes me uncomfortable though, I really don't like it.

I certainly would never consider stopping someone else to ask :P

Sea Filly

Fluorescence wrote: »

Makes me uncomfortable though, I really don't like it.

Ha, really? Oh dear.

Stranger danger and all that, I guess!

yeah I do it sometimes as well

I would have again this morning as I would like to know where the girl at the bus stop got those shoes and that dress but I was tired so wasn't bothered :pac:
I'd say people would usually take it well though, stranger complimenting you

Fluorescence

Sea Filly wrote: »

Ha, really? Oh dear.

Stranger danger and all that, I guess!

Not even that :pac: It's just I am so wrapped up in my own head that when someone unexpectedly pulls me out of it I'm quite awkward about the whole thing :P I'm a bit of an anomaly though! I've no problem complimenting/receiving complements from friends.

Sea Filly

bluewolf wrote: »

I'd say people would usually take it well though, stranger complimenting you

It's happened to me once, and yes, I was rather pleased as I loved the item in question myself!

dearg lady

I generally wouldn't approach a stranger just to offer a compliment, but I would do it to ask where they got something if I wanted it. Most people respond well, but a handful of times I've had people looking at me like I';m a lunatic!

I do it too a lot , I wouldn't often stop someone, say, in a supermarket, but if they were near me and not moving in the opposite direction I would say it. In pubs/at festivals/gigs I'm always at it, and people generally love it! Spread a little happiness and all that. I'd say keep at it OP, you might really be making someone's day

Novella

I probably wouldn't stop someone walking on the street unless I really liked something they had on and had to know where it was from. I often compliment strangers I'm already in conversation with though, for example I tend to chat to people serving me at the till in shops etc.

I think it's a nice thing to do, might brighten up someone's day.

Malari

Novella I was just going to say that, I've more often asked sales assistants where they got what they are wearing! Usually it's in the shop itself so it's a good marketing idea

I wouldn't go out of my way to compliment someone, but if they are standing close by in a queue, at a bar and are clearly not in the middle of something I might ask them where they got something.

I've been asked a few times. A girl in a bar asked me where I got the boots I was wearing, as she was looking for something similar. They just happened to be about the ONLY thing in my wardrobe that I can't remember buying because they were so old, yet still beloved

Das Kitty

I do it a lot, usually in a queue or something, not really if they're walking along. There'a a girl at work who has the quirkiest sense of style and I frigging love what she wears. I purposely went up to her in the canteen and complimented her on one of the strangest jumpers I ever saw. It had black cats on turtles' backs knitted in a pattern. Just awesome.

Bubblefett

I'm far more likely to stop someone on the street and tell them their dog is gorgeous than stop them about clothes (in fact I did so just this morning).
I'm fairly unobservant of what people are wearing at the best of times and rarely notice clothes unless it's a particularly eye catching pair of shoes (like iron fist or irregular choice) or a comical tshirt.

awec

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Lia_lia

I'm always complimenting strangers. Sometimes on street, but all the time in bars/nightclubs! Especially at work... however people often get the wrong impression and think I'm just looking for extra tips!

Hmm, I wouldn't compliment a complete stranger, no, but I'd often compliment people I'm only just acquainted with. I do think it's nice to compliment people, but I just wouldn't notice strangers' clothes.

That said, the other day I was crossing the street and a woman called over at me that she loved my hair! Definitely a nice feeling

doctor evil

I've been known to do it!

timewilltell

Im a serial offender here.

I work part time in a shop and I'm forever asking customers where they got their clothes. I take a lot of insipration from people's accesories etc.

I think people probabbly think I'm a bit touched but sure, all in the name of fashion!

That_Guy

Roles reversed. About a year ago a lass stopped me on the street.

In my mind I was all - :D *Chandler victory dance* :D

"Sorry, I was just wondering where you got your hoodie... I think my boyfriend would look well in it"

Then my mind was all - :( "Don't tell her you got it from River Island... LIE. Don't tell her you got it from River Island"

"I got it in River Island"

"Thanks"

Then my mind was all - "You fool"

:pac:

Ambersky

I like being complimented and as a result I suppose I think that women will like it when I compliment them. So I do it regularly and if anyone meets me feel free to boost my ego and keep the compliments coming on clothes appearance smile anything really so long as it is genuine and well intentioned.

ordinary_girl

Happened to me once, when I was in a shopping centre last year. Took me completely by surprise, didn't really know how to react. I said an awkward "thank you" and continued walking towards Tesco. She was just being nice, but for a second I was a teeny tiny bit suspicious, I think it's because I've lived in a city for too long!

barleybooley

I do it when I'm out a lot but I guess that's because I don't really care what I'm wearing during the day and most of my clothes are for going out. I get asked about my jewelery a lot which is nice as I love all my accessories.

Lyaiera

I was walking around town doing a bit of street photography. There was a woman walking pretty much the same route as me with a five year old holding her hand and a baby in a buggy. The kids were really well behaved, but still being energetic kids, she looked a little hassled but was still laughing at and with them. I debated asking her for a picture for about five minutes and finally stopped her just as she was about to go a different direction to me.

I said, "I'm sorry, but do you mind if I take your photograph?" And she looked at me a little strangely, so I just quickly blurted out, "it's just that you look so happy." And I gave a big smile. She did a little double take and her eyes lit up a little and she said sure and posed with her kids. I snapped a quick photo and said thanks and I was off. I still haven't printed that picture because I'm afraid it won't do justice to my memory of the moment.

I was kind of going for the impact of a photograph I saw in the Crawford Gallery at the "Love" exhibition a while back. There was a few massive prints. Maybe five foot tall of non-traditional families. Mainly of gay-couples with kids. There was one picture of two men, probably Jewish and very much typical of the New York Jewish look. You'd really get the idea of them being big city lawyers. And then they were in a very beautiful room, very much that of a well-travelled, well-educated, well-off family. They were posed in a very masculine way, lots of standing, head angle slightly to the side, chest out. And their kids were in the traditional, small and innoncent looking way, sitting on knees, kneeling on the floor. This family was multi-racial and I think that's what hit me about the family I took the picture of in Cork. They were multi-racial too and it was like a kick in the face to bigotry and xenophobia and racism. And I just wanted to get across how happy people could be, despite the hassles of life.

carolinespring

I do it sometimes, normally in the coffee shop or pub while waiting to get served. I find that people are normally happy to have someone say "love your bag, shoes, dress" in fact a couple of people said I made their day.

Lollers

Slightly similar, there has been many a time someone has walked by and I've smelt the most gorgeous scent in the air. I would love to rush back to them and ask them what perfume they are wearing, but knowing me I would flub my lines and say something like " hey, you smell what is it". Yeeeah, so I just leave it.

Posy

I'd be happy if someone complimented me in work/in a shop/ on a night out.

I'd be freaked out if someone stopped me in Dublin city centre- I'd assume they were using it as a decoy for someone else to mug me.

Ambersky

There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment. ~Robert Brault,

I think it is a pity we sometimes close ourselves off to hearing nice things about ourselves or even nice things about clothes or things associated with us out of suspicion or fear.
I also think its a pity we close ourselves off from saying something complimentary to someone else out of fear of embarrasment .
We hold back on the little things that can make us happy.

Babybuff

I don't really notice other people very much, I think maybe it's just a case of being short sighted and more often caught up in my own world as a result but when I'm with my daughter she will often gesture toward someone's dress or shoes or hair and privately compliment them (or worse, ask can she get one/a pair)
Today she told me that she didn't like going window shopping with me because I "haven't a clue" (she'd be right) and I don't think I'm ever that bothered by things other people like to put on themselves..or only in very rare cases and even then it's because it is something so outrageous that I cannot help but be mesmerised/horrified by it. I think I just like extremes. (if you have an orange and purple mohawk and decide to combine that style with a par of 18th centure pantaloons I will probably love you and tell you) But that's rarity in Ireland, mostly everyone wears the same kind of stuff.


edit: also, I have a neighbour who is obsessed with herself and she has on occasion been very verbal about my choice (or lack of) in clothing/hair/shoes/everything when out. (I only wear jeans and tee shirts) One of these days I'm going to take it all off and parade about naked in front of her just to pis her off.

ahnowbrowncow

Yeah I do try to compliment strangers but I don't always get a positive response, a lot of times they just shout or scream "omfg, who are you, how did you get in here?"

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whoopsadaisydoodles

amtc

I actually get it a fair amount

- The sales lady in eason's loved my scent (mind you I'm in there every day!)

- a guy (and he wasn't being creepy) admired my coat on Henry St

- an elderly lady in Clery's admired another coat. This happened again with another elderly lady the next day.

I don't think anything of it - they were all in broad daylight and simply were what they were.

Leslie91

Apologies in advance for posting in here as a bloke but........

Quite often I see girls/women looking really well, be it there clothes, hair, overall appearance etc and really feel the urge to let them know, but I don't.

As somebody has mentioned I'd be concerned it'd come over a bit dodgy/creepy. I'd love to just complement someone/a stranger who has (perhaps) really made the effort to look like they do/spent money on it etc. I'd hope most if not all would be delighted to be told how great they look, but it is probably not the case.

OldNotWIse

I'd immediately assume you were either hitting on me, or that your buddy was lurking behind me waiting to snatch my bag/phone etc while you distracted me with your weird behaviour.

Posy

OldNotWIse wrote: »

I'd immediately assume you were either hitting on me, or that your buddy was lurking behind me waiting to snatch my bag/phone etc while you distracted me with your weird behaviour.

Me too I'm afraid.
Maybe I've lived/worked in Dublin city too long!

FizzleSticks

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OldNotWIse

Posy wrote: »

Me too I'm afraid.
Maybe I've lived/worked in Dublin city too long!

I wouldn't confine it just to Dublin

OldNotWIse

FizzleSticks wrote: »

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Eh? As in complementing myself? But of course lol I'm the same as you with directions - I'm like, "I'm pretty sure I've seen reconstrutions of "last known whereabouts" exactly like this lol. Hey wait, assuming you're worthy of kidnapping could also be seen as a backhanded compliment (I shamefully always thought it was a left handed compliment - duh!) Cant believe that - 28 and still learning :rolleyes:

Leslie91

Leslie91 wrote: »

Apologies in advance for posting in here as a bloke but........

Quite often I see girls/women looking really well, be it there clothes, hair, overall appearance etc and really feel the urge to let them know, but I don't.

As somebody has mentioned I'd be concerned it'd come over a bit dodgy/creepy. I'd love to just complement someone/a stranger who has (perhaps) really made the effort to look like they do/spent money on it etc. I'd hope most if not all would be delighted to be told how great they look, but it is probably not the case.

I don't think there's any situation where I wouldn't be delighted with a compliment tbh.

jaja321

I'm afraid I do it sometimes; I wouldn't exactly stop someone on the street but if I saw someone in a shop/bar or I was waiting at a bus stop/traffic lights or something and I noticed someone wearing something that I thought was lovely, I'd say it to them. I hope I'm not freaking people out in the process!

FizzleSticks

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Pythia

I was wearing a white maxi dress yesterday at Dun Laoghaire. A man who was approx 70 came over to me and said he loved my dress, with not the slightest hint of creepiness, and then went on his way. It was such a nice incident!

Alicat

I've never physically stopped someone in the street, but I have said it to people while waiting in a queue somewhere, or maybe in a bar. I often do it in work, while waiting for a customer's laser transaction to go through or something. I get to see so many pretty bags and purses coming up to the till! No one has ever looked at me funny for saying it. It always raises a smile, even with some customers who look a bit grumpy.

Similarly, while waiting for card transactions to go through, I've had lots of customers compliment me on my nails when I have them done up. It's a genuinely nice moment

jenizzle

I can't remember if I ever stopped someone in the street as they were walking by, but I've definitely done so in shops etc. I would tend to speak with shop assistants a bit more than the usual as I've been one and know how a simple "I like your earrings/shirt/eyeliner" can turn a really crappy day into a nice one.

I've been stopped on the street myself though because I have bright hair. I was in Tesco last week and one lovely girl asked me about it and we ended up talking for a good few minutes, t'was nice to nerd out on hair dying techniques :rolleyes: It honestly doesn't bother me at all, I'd prefer if someone said something to me about it instead of standing there gawping

LadyMayBelle

I ask people, on the tube, waiting for a bus, in a pub... I have been asked a few times about my hair, or once had an American lady come up to me in a cafe asking about my dress... This particular dress was a tenner on sale in Bershka a few years previous and one I usually wear to work... She and her husband started chatting and she was disappointed the dress was no longer on sale. They left, I went back to my book, but ten mins later she came back to me and asked if I'd consider selling it!! I was too shocked and on the spot I didn't even go into the details just said 'ah no I kinda like it and it's a but tatty now anyways'.

Coulda ended up like Kramer in that episode of Seinfeld..

There is a girl I see on my way to work some times and I love her style.. Picking up guts to compliment her as I know it makes my day!!

Sea Filly

Pythia wrote: »

I was wearing a white maxi dress yesterday at Dun Laoghaire. A man who was approx 70 came over to me and said he loved my dress, with not the slightest hint of creepiness, and then went on his way. It was such a nice incident!

Love it!

Sea Filly

amtc wrote: »

I actually get it a fair amount

- The sales lady in eason's loved my scent (mind you I'm in there every day!)

- a guy (and he wasn't being creepy) admired my coat on Henry St

- an elderly lady in Clery's admired another coat. This happened again with another elderly lady the next day.

I don't think anything of it - they were all in broad daylight and simply were what they were.

You know what this means, right? It means you is hot shít! Work it, guuurrrrlll!

*snaps fingers*

ihsb

I was serving a girl with a lovely top the other day, asked her where it was from, and the same with a random girl in the street with a lovely pair of boots.

If I was asked, I would be flattered.

Honey-ec

I do it all the time, and I love when it happens to me. I have never once thought "Creep/backhanded/I'm about to be kidnapped and/or mugged".

There's a serious amount of paranoia in this thread!

dashboard_hula

I did it just the other day - a girl was wearing a lovely patterned fringed cardigan/jacket and I complimented her and asked where she got it. She seemed pleased enough and had no problems telling me. For the record it's this:

http://www.asos.com/River-Island/River-Island-Fringed-Devore-Print-Jacket/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1903547&r=2

but out of stock and can't find it anywhere

I was with a friend walking through Camberwell in London last year when she suddenly backtracked to a woman who'd passed us to ask where she bought her lovely maxi dress. She was only delighted to tell us and gave us directions to the shop as well. It was only afterwards we copped how dodgy we could have looked, but nobody ever seems to mind.

fallen01angel

I normally only do this when I'm in a bar or club and some top/shoes etc really catches my eye but this thread reminded me of a trip to a concert in Dublin when my friend and I were passing time shopping on Henry St. Spotted this girl with the most amazing set of tanned legs I have ever seen,we were strolling behind her arguing amongst ourselves...it's her natural colour/ no,amazing tan/ no,great tights when I decided there's no way I can let her go until I know the answer so finally approach her by Bewley's restaraunt and timidly start my enquiry,while my friend stood there with the "I'm not with her look" "-sorry to bother you,this may sound strange but your legs look amazing-are you wearing tights or is it natural or best tan job ever.....cue puzzled look followed by burst of laughter and then..... answer-pretty polly tights!!! She wasn't Irish and I really hope she didn't think I was a nut job but she did stroll up the street with a smile on her face!!:)

JimmyCrackCorn

I have done it on a couple of occasions to strike up conversations with women id like to meet.
Have yet to have anyone think im a mass murder or attempt to kidnap anyone. Always been positive or at worst a confused look.

That being said no way would I do it in a place someone would feel unsafe. e.g a dark alleyway or coppers......:D


I have a female friend who asks girls on the street all the time where they got the jacket......, she a big fashion buff and it did cause a little confusion but went down well as it is a complement.

It would be a poor comment on modern society if you cant talk to people in a que or on the street. We are a friendly and welcoming nation????