Re the first: if the answering public is predominantly female, probably because that is their experience. I'd probably say 4 out of every 5 people who tell me to smile are dudes. Also, the ones who are ladies are pretty much all older ladies, but the dudes are of varying ages, so it always strikes me as a gender thing.
re the second: I've found that saying "you look really pretty today" instead of "gosh, you're pretty" tends to sound less creepy? Like more like a genuine compliment than you being creepy? it also helps if it comes up in an actual conversation instead of that being the only thing you say to someone.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2006-11-09 10:30 pm (UTC)re the second: I've found that saying "you look really pretty today" instead of "gosh, you're pretty" tends to sound less creepy? Like more like a genuine compliment than you being creepy? it also helps if it comes up in an actual conversation instead of that being the only thing you say to someone.