what do you think?

Catblue

Do you give the blokes at work compliments about how they look? ("Wow, Martin - you look so handsome and toned today. Have you been working out?"). Presumably not.

If you don't do it to men in the workplace then don't do it to women in the workplace. Easy.

It makes you seem at best unprofessional and at worst a sleazebag. If you don't watch out, you'll get a reputation as the office sleazebag and then it is a short step from your boss finding out about it. The implications for you are not good - seriously.

Sublime_2

Catblue wrote: »

Do you give the blokes at work compliments about how they look? ("Wow, Martin - you look so handsome and toned today. Have you been working out?"). Presumably not.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

delain

In a more serious reply it depends on your general demeanour, it would be easy to come across as 'slimy' if you're saying it to everyone iyswim.

ailuro2

Kimberley82 wrote: »

Complements are always nice, I dont see how it is at all inappropriate.

So if a guy 5 years older than me at work said my breasts were looking great I'd say "thanks for the compliment"??
:rotfl:

I've worked with mainly men for the last 20-odd years, and I'd put money on it that they're not saying "your hair looks really good today" or " I love those knee high boots you're wearing" because they want to boost your self esteem...;)

gratefulforhelp_2

Ok, I personally don't think that they are inappropriate, but I wouldn't do it, except in the most general way. A good test is does it sound weird if a woman said it to a man?

There are lots of things I wouldn't do in the workplace, not because I think they are wrong, but because I don't want any aggro!

Nottoobadyet

I'd find it extremely creepy coming from a man, especially a single one, and if they work with you they cant get away from your attentions so it makes it much more uncomfortable.

You get a bit of a pass if you are a well dressed gay man - I'd rarely turn down a compliment from that direction! Though my (male) boss's husband very kindly told me that he didn't believe I looked a day under 30 at the office Christmas party... I'm 23!!!:eek::eek:

pinkclouds

Giving compliments is a nice thing to do - so long as they are appropriate to the situation. Something general like "you look very nice/smart today" or "have you lost weight", is usually acceptable, is it not? Or if you've noticed they have a new coat/haircut/shoes and mention it looks nice. Stay away from specific, "personal" remarks as they will often backfire (whether or not at work) unless you know the person really, really well. Is it not all a matter of commonsense?

Primrose

I think it's rather nice for a man to pay a compliment to a woman, but I guess it rather depends on the type of man paying the compliment, and the spirit in which the woman receives it. I can think of some men I know from whom I'd cringe from receiving any kind of compliment because I know the type of men they are and the way they behave towards women in the way they generally treat them with a lack of respect. I also know a lot of men who are kind, genuine and considerate, and women recognise them as such, so any compliment from them would make my day.

onlyroz

Primrose wrote: »

I think it's rather nice for a man to pay a compliment to a woman, but I guess it rather depends on the type of man paying the compliment, and the spirit in which the woman receives it.

Yes. There's a big difference between "Phwoar love, you're gorgeous", and "I really like your hair today".

happy35

I dont think it is appropriate in most cases, it can be quite intimidating having someone telling you things like this while you are at work and you have to behave professionally

It would depend on the person telling you, and what you thought was the reason for them doing it i.e were they trying to chat you up and be smarmy or have you been a bit down and they are a good friend trying to give you a boost