Both strangers or people you know?
My wife: daily.
Others: sometimes.
God I really should, I just dont want to sound creepy.
Same. I recently met a wonderful woman who I’ve become very good friends with. When I first met her, I was interested in maybe dating her, so I was very careful and selective with the compliments I gave her because I didn’t want to sound like a creep (and I’m autistic so I’m bad at judging what’s okay to say). After I asked her out and she rejected me, we agreed to just be friends, and I suddenly felt far more okay openly complimenting her in many different ways. It feels really good to give someone a genuine compliment just because you want them to feel good, no strings attached.
Yet another great benefit of friendship! Good on you.
Dude, I feel the exact same. I basically never compliment anyone ever. Sometimes I want to but I’m afraid of sounding weird so I don’t. I’m not likely to be someone who looks like they could come off as creepy, but still I have a hard time with it.