Pretty much the question really.
How do I compliment women I know, colleagues, friends, acquaintances, and so on, without coming off as a creep?
For instance, the other day, my coworker had a really good hairstyle, and I wanted to compliment her on it, but I just didn’t know how to do so without coming off as weird or anything. The same happened with a friend, who was wearing a cute top, but again, I just avoided saying anything.
Comparing this to other men, I’m easily able to praise them on their outfits and watches and similar things.
To clarify, I do not like any of the women in question or think romantically about them. They’re just friends and acquaintances, nothing more. Just people in my life.
You’ve already got it. The key is to compliment something that they did or chose, not something that they are.
“I love your outfit!” - Good
“You’ve got great legs!” - Bad
“Do you rock climb? Your calves are fire.” - Probably don’t unless you’re already friends
“Where did you get those clothes from, the toilet store?” - Maybe good if she knows anchorman
To add to this, complementing the object, rather the person puts some distance.
“That color looks great on you!” vs “You look great in that color!”
“I love your outfit!” vs “That outfit really shows off your _____!”
I read this as censorship bleep and not as a “fill-in-the-blank”, and I’m in knots laughing.