Telling a woman “You’re the most beautiful girl in the world” is as likely to be met by a frown as a smile.
The oft-trotted out chat-up line has been voted among the most insincere compliment a man can give a woman, in a study by online retailer JD Williams.
Commenting on age, weight and partners can also leave women unimpressed despite the best of intentions behind the remark.
JD Williams commissioned research to mark National Compliments Day (Jan 24) which was set up to encourage people to offer words of praise to family, friends, workmates and even strangers to help boost happiness and confidence by offering a reason to smile.
However ill thought out or inappropriate quips show the art of paying compliments is a social minefield.
While we might think we are offering praise, compliments can occasionally be taken two ways and it pays to think twice before uttering a phrase that is meant to flatter, the study found.
JD Williams spokesperson Suzi Burns said: “A great compliment can have a powerful effect. It can give the recipient confidence in themselves or their work and make them feel good for the rest of the day and a well-intentioned compliment can also make the giver happy as well, so compliments benefit everybody.”
The report of 2,000 UK women discovered that making a compliment was not always easy and almost two thirds of women feel too embarrassed to accept a compliment and praise from strangers or work colleagues.
Eight out of ten women (82%) feel compliments given by friends, closely followed by partners and family are the most genuine, while the best received comment you can make to a woman is telling her that she looks happy, the research revealed.
This simple remark provokes a better reaction than saying she is young for her age, or referring to her intelligence, weight loss or dress sense.
Women are four times more likely to regard a compliment made by someone of their sex as more genuine, than when it is offered by a man.
However not all compliments are well received, and an online poll identified the top unwelcome “compliments” that often leave women puzzled.
1. Your new hairstyle makes you look so much younger.
2. You’re a really good driver, for a woman.
3. You are in pretty good shape for a mother.
4. You are so gorgeous/ beautiful.
5. You dress very well for a larger person.
6. You look great wearing make-up.
7. You are so much prettier when you smile.
8. You are so pretty, how are you still single?
9. You are amazing coping so well with so many children.
10. Wow, your boyfriend/husband is really hot.
JD Williams carried out its initial study as part of an ongoing campaign to encourage women to be more confident and positive in the way they look and feel. The full results can be found here: https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/page/uks-attitudes-to-compliments-revealed/show.action
Suzi Burns added: “We want to encourage people to offer genuine, well-considered compliments. Our research found that women generally feel uncomfortable accepting a compliment and we would love to help change that. If we as a brand can help them feel confident in what they wear, for example, this may in turn help women feel more comfortable about accepting compliments when offered.”
