So I'm dropping off the kiddo today at the sitter's when, on the way out, I bump into a mother dropping off her child as well. We've never really spoken, I only see her rarely, I couldn't even tell you her name, but I immediately noticed that she had changed her hair. It used to be rather mousey in a way that was practically a liability but is now some kicky new do.
So I was about 80% of the way towards saying "Hey, I like your new hair" but I balked. I figured I didn't know her and she might feel uncomfortable given the presumption that if a guy is complimenting a woman it's for the purposes of getting laid. Which wasn't the case here -- she just has much better looking hair than she used to. In retrospect, it occurs to me that *I* have always had my mood lifted by a random compliment (not that I get them that often) and perhaps she would have. But, on the other hand, I'm not a dame so I don't know. At least if I erred it was on the side of caution.
Ladies, how do you take a random compliment? Especially one by a male stranger. Do you assume it's a come-on or can you accept it at face value?