So I was at Target picking up some things for my apartment. Nothing special like just the usual stuff. I was wearing this blue button-down shirt my mom got me for Christmas that I never really liked, but all my other clothes were in the laundry.
While I was looking at some headphones, this older lady (maybe in her 40s) walked by and said “That color looks really great on you, young man.” Then she just continued on her way. I stood there completely stunned for like 30 seconds, not knowing how to respond.
The weird thing is that I realized that in my 21 years of existence, that was the first time a complete stranger had ever complimented me on my appearance. Not my achievements, not something I did, but just how I looked.
On the drive home it got me thinking about how my female friends get random compliments all the time. My roommate’s girlfriend came home last week talking about how three different people commented on her hair or outfit in one day. Meanwhile, I’ve gone over two decades with zero.
I’m not even complaining – it was just a realization that hit me. That one 5-second interaction made my entire week better. I actually went online and ordered two more shirts but with different colors (I think u know why I did this).
My question to people who are older than me (30 and above or so) if this will continue even after 30 or do males start to peak at 30s and they start to get more compliments as they get older (I’m only talking based on the stuff that I read)
Comments
Talk about a confidence boost, who knew rocking that blue shirt could get you so many compliments!
What an amazing story to see kindness and admiration shining through like this. It’s wonderful reminders of the power people have to make each other’s days brighter with just a few kind words.
It’s rare as a guy to get compliments, especially from random strangers, especially from women. That’s the sad reality we live in. But hey, it happens once in a blue moon.
My last random compliment was actually this week. I was running and another runner (woman) passed me in the opposite direction saying “You doing great!” The last compliment (not from my SO) before that must have been ages ago. I’m a guy in my mid 30s.
I once in a while also try to give some rando some random compliment. But beware not to scare woman coming off across like a creep. I also said to random runners a few times that they were doing great.
Thanks for posting this.
I (60f) rarely speak to men in public.
I grew up puny with nicknames like “butterface.”
When I’m out, I always look for someone in need of a compliment, like a mom struggling to control a toddler having a tantrum.
Or someone who looks like they are having a bad day like you, I find something nice to say, like the color or style they are wearing. But it’s typically women.
I guess I never realized men needed that, because it was the boys who bullied me.
The pretty girls wanted to be my friends, of course.
As an older woman, I’ve found myself giving less shits about what people think. If I think you look/are nice and I’m in a good mood, I’ll tell you. Life is too short to keep positivity and genuine appreciation to myself.
(Conversely, maturity has improved my EQ. I’ll keep my Karen thoughts inside my head or find a way to provide constructive feedback privately, if solicited 😂)
This is completely anecdotal, but my husband gets complimented at least 3 or 4 times a week from strangers. Whether it be about his hair (gorgeous dark curls), his bangin moustache, his choice of clothes etc. He’s like the most complemented person I know.
I remember telling him like 9 years about the idea of complementing someone’s choice instead of physical appearance. Like, instead of saying “you look so good today” say “I love the outfit you chose! The way you did your hair! Your choice of jewelry!”
Anyways he took that and rolled with it, not only is he complemented all the time, but he also complements others. No rhyme or reason, but it seems like one of those “get back what you put out situations.”
I had a chocolate brown suit once. I would frequently get compliments from female strangers !
Women compliment men less often than the other way around because some men will take a compliment as flirting and will try to escalate from there, so complimenting a man will sometimes feel too risky.
I’m aware that men can also use a compliment every now and then, so I go out of my way to compliment male customers at work. I don’t really compliment them on their looks, I usually compliment their style or good taste. That is not age related, a very elderly gentleman can still be a snappy dresser!
Lmao there’s no set timeline for this it’s all random. Maybe you will maybe that’ll be the last one you ever get.
I got you broski. Looking fierce you sexy beast.