Would I have been rude?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-1999
Would I have been rude?
7
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 7:42am
I'm a guy. While standing in line at a cashier's station in a store yesterday, I noticed that the woman in front of me had very nice legs...and a denim miniskirt to show them off. I was thinking that if our eyes met, I would say something like: "Nice legs!". The opportunity didn't present itself, and I probably wouldn't have done it anyway, not wanting to appear rude or threatining in a world where almost anything can be interpreted as harrassment. I wasn't trying to pick her up. I just wanted to complement her. Would I have been wrong to make such a comment?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 8:06am
Hum. I would say something like that to another woman, but I would say "I know this might sound weird, but your legs are so pretty."

I would think you were trying to hit on me. But as long as I didn't feel like my safety was in jeopardy, I would walk away on those tight legs with a smile. I love when I notice men checking me out at the grocery store.

I think sometimes the difference between a 'that was a little bit creepy' and 'that was nice' is the wording. Pretty inside of nice. Can't think of other examples. Also prefacing things with "I know this is random.." or "this might sound weird..." kind of lets the other person know that you realize it might sound weird and that you almost didn't say it.

Sara

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 11:18am
I think it would depend on how it was said and how she personally takes things like that.

bounxh0a-1.gif picture by dillbyrd

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2004
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 2:08pm
If the situation arises again you may, just as this has been stated, compliment het in another way. We don't care too much for a man that will come right out and compliemnt us on body parts such as our legs and breats. For most that I have been around, it has a tendency to make us feel used, or only wanted for our body. If you ever run ioto another set of nice legs, or anything for that matter, that you find attractive about a woman, compliment her in a respectable way by saying something along the lines of *i couldn't help but notice, but you have beautiful eyes* or if you happen to run across a good set of legs, mention lightly, in conversation with her that you find her legs attractive. Don't let those be the first words that come from you mouth. Be polite.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 2:32pm
I wouldn't have found that rude at all, although you could pick something better to say ;o) But it all depends on how it is delievered. I remember the first time I had a guy look me up and down in a very sexual way, made me want to scrub my skin clean LOL. He made me feel like a piece of meat. Saying something like, "I don't mean to put you on the spot, but I just had to compliment you on having such pretty legs" would give me a smile and not feel weird at all. If it sounds genuine, I think it will be taken well. If it sounds cheesy or like a line, expect a dirty look LOL.

Leticia

Visitor (not verified)
anonymous user
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 3:42pm
It would have depended on the way you said it and the look on your face. If you would have said something like..."I don't want to seem rude but you have very nice legs" it would have been fine. Girls liked to be complemented. I know that I do.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2004
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 5:24pm
Coming from a here, I'd say that even if it WASN'T rude, play it safe and 'never' compliment on stuff like that. Just never know what the reaction from her OR from surrounding people would be, so why take the chance, right? LOL!

Always better, IMHO, to be presented as a "gentleman" than as someone who only notices certain things. We just can't control how others will view us no matter how innocent we ourselves know we are. Just my two cents on it.

Actually, I've been complimented myself by a lady here or there. The usual "do you work out?" line and all. In fact, RAOFLMBO!!!, I remember a time when Mrs. Para & I were shopping in the MegaMall in the Twin Cities and I was complimented for how nice I made my shirt look or something to that affect. Because the Mrs. & I are a mixed marriage, that compliment came from someone who didn't know that my wife was actually in the area, DESPITE my wedding ring she didn't hesitate to compliment me.

Oooooooooooooooh MY o my o my did Mrs. Para step in from allllllllllllll the way across that particular store to say, "I did good at picking that out for him........SIGH.......

........DIDN'T I?!!!!!

C h a r a c t e r


above all else


Mr. Para

 

C  H  A  R  A  C  T  E  R

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 9:23pm
Not at all. Let me point out the difference from my own experience. I was in the grocery store one day after work a couple of years ago (in a dress and heels) and a man was standing beside me at the deli. After a few minutes, he said "I just wanted you to know you have really nice legs. I like to see a woman in a dress and I like nice legs." He said it really friendly and not in a leering way. I smiled and said "Thank You!" and was flattered. Didn't bother me at all.

Until every time I turned around in the store, he was 10 feet behind me, staring at my legs. Now *that* creeped me out a tad. I think that was probably my first exposure to a *real* leg man, lol. The following and staring was rude, the compliment was not.

Another time, I had a man ask me who was the maker of my denim mini skirt. Puzzled, I said "I'm not sure..." and he said "Well, I'd like to write them a thank you note." Now *that* was a really nice way of saying he thought I looked good, without being a lech about it. Maybe that could be your new line, lol.