Can you compliment guys and be nice to them without them thinking you are hitting on them?

In real life I feel like I always have to act abrasive and like a b*tch around guys because any time I'm nice I get the overwhelming feeling that they think I am hitting on them or want to date them. Like I would love to give guys compliments and be a nice person but I have heard from friends and stories about guys who think that gives them permission to do stuff with the girls. I also hateee if anyone knows I have a crush on them so I just outright avoid them and force myself to stop crushing. But I want to be able to have guy friends. Real dilemma here.