**TO WOMEN** Why...

@RooiSoosSkarlakenWitSoosSneeu I'm not talking about a guy hitting on you, I am talking about a simple compliment, not trying to start a conversation.

@OwnerOfMany It seems part of the issue might be that many guys give compliments to females in order to flirt or start an interaction that they think may lead to 'something' (whatever that something is).

I saw a male co-worker at a previous job compliment a lady on her outfit. It seemed apparent that the two would never 'hook up' based on certain criteria. But, he was polite to her and meant it as a genuine compliment, from my perspective.

@Phire1 You are speaking of what I am talking about. Women automatically assume that because a guy pays them a compliment he wants something. That is not always the case. Why can't they wait long enough to see if he tries to continue the conversation or makes some suggestion before turning bitch?
He MIGHT just be complimenting them.
I have even gone so far as to ask a female, "Excuse me, but how can I pay you a compliment without offending you?"

@OwnerOfMany Not all guys 'want something' out of the compliment, but Many do! - that's something to keep in mind.

There's nothing wrong with complimenting someone else. Are the people doing it because the other person is female/male? Are they doing it for other reasons? Might not ever really know.

I am willing to bet many guys don't take compliments too well, either.
Is it that, or something else into that?

I would probably find a question like, "Excuse me, but how can I pay you a compliment without offending you?" to be a good pick-up line.

@Phire1 Point 1, you are correct that not all want something but I would say most do.

Point 2, The only way to know that answer would be to accept the compliment without assumption and see what happens next.

Point 3,Most guys would take a compliment as a sign of interest not as a compliment but their reaction is the opposite of a female.

point 4, NOT if you heard the tone of my voice.

@OwnerOfMany 1. They shouldn't if they are genuine.
2. Complimenting someone is not a bad thing. Doing it BECAUSE the other person is a certain sex/gender might be seen as 'something else.'
3. What do you think "most" guys' reactions are to compliments? And compliments from females?
4. You're right, tone of voice, body language, and facial expression mean a lot.

@Phire1 1. Agreed
2. Agreed but it would depend on the context of the compliment.
3. I was speaking of compliments from the opposite sex. Most guys take compliments from women as a sign she wants something or wants to "get to know" them. They seldom just take a compliment as a compliment.
4. Yes, they do, I would guess about 75% of the impression.
5. If you weren't on a debate team, you damn sure should have been!

@OwnerOfMany 1. If you think you are doing things right, keep doing it.
2. If you think there is room for improvement, do it.

@Phire1 1. With me, what I say is what I mean. Most of the time "if" I pay a woman a compliment, I walk away. I have said what I meant, done.
2. Not sure of your meaning. When I say the context, I mean whether you are complimenting her dress, shoes, dog, etc...or her. It is difficult to tell a woman she is pretty, beautiful, sexy, whatever without sounding like you want to go to another level. It can be done but it is difficult.

@OwnerOfMany Asking, "Excuse me, but how can I pay you a compliment without offending you?" is putting the question onto the person you want to do so upon in a smart way, if I must say. I've never heard anything like that. You're also asking How and What that might give YOU insight into what they think about themselves. This will provide insight for you without coming off as offensive or having to 'dig' a lot... so to say

@OwnerOfMany At work, I do not want to be told by male co-workers or bosses that I am "pretty, " etc.

@Phire1 Without the wheres and hows, I have said, "Excuse me, I mean nothing by this other than exactly what I say, you are absolutely stunning. Have a good evening." and walked away. And what I said was the truth.

@Phire1 Of course not. That is neither the time nor the place. If I were your boss the only compliment you would get would be, "Boy I'm glad you don't fuck up!" lol

@OwnerOfMany That's awesome that you meant it.
At work, I do not want to be told by male co-workers or bosses about how I look

@Phire1 Like I said, that is neither the time nor the place. There are possible exceptions but as a rule, no.
I can't provide an exception without knowing what type of work you do but there are a few specifics.

@OwnerOfMany Work is work.
It is a professional place that many think certain things should not happen within

@Phire1 Again...I agree...but again...there are possible exceptions. RARE but possible.

@OwnerOfMany Being how much women have been disregarded within the workplace, I tend to think the way I do.

@Phire1 Elaborate a little on "disregarded".

@OwnerOfMany I haven't in my posts? Sheesh! I need to try harder

@Phire1 Let's say you work in a place for 5 years and it is majority male. At this job you normally dress conservatively, professionally. One day you have to leave early to attend some event that requires you to get really decked out. You walk in with a more formal dress, makeup done perfectly and hair styled differently. Let's say that normally you are a relatively attractive woman but this day you glow.
Anyone who has seen you almost daily for five years is going to be taken by surprise to some degree and you should expect some compliments or some comments as to how different, good, pretty, or whatever simply because of the surprise. That would not be unacceptable unless some asshole made a crude comment.
That would be an example of the exception I spoke of.

@OwnerOfMany At one job I had, every day I wore business-casual attire. One day I wore an outfit that was a little dressier. The (female) boss commented that I was dressed up more than usual and asked what the occasion was - I was going to a friend's wedding after work. I understand that dressing up more than usual one day may bring comments/compliments.

(side note - this boss had an issue with parents and single parents. She said I could have asked to leave work early for my friend's wedding. But, she always had an issue when I needed time off if my kids were sick or needed to go to the doctor)