Why do most women take offense when a guy compliments them on their looks?

Question

Like if a guy were to compliment (even in a polite and respectful way) a woman's breast size or butt, she slaps him and calls him a pervert, and sometimes he even gets charged with sexual harassment charges.

But rarely do you hear of a guy taking offense when a woman compliment him on his looks, rarely do you hear of guys filing sexual harassment charges when women hit on them. Rarely.

I'm not trying to offend anyone or put anyone down, I'm just asking why this is.

As a guy, I feel flattered when a woman compliments me on my looks. Of course that doesn't always mean anything sexual is going to happen, it's just an observation. I just wonder why more women take guys hitting on them as a perverted insult rather than as something friendly and harmless

Answer 1

They really don't take offense to it, but it them an opportunity to play the victim role, which many women can't pass up, and simultaneously they can do this by "complaining" to their girlfriends about it, which is actually bragging to puff up their own self esteem.  I had an Aunt who played this one like a pro when I was a kid.  She would "complain" about all these men who hit on her all the time, though she walked around in short skirts, high heels, and had her b***s pushed up practically out of her dress.  My mother would listen to this garbage every day and it would bring her to tears...in private of course.

Answer 2

If a guy complements me on my breast or butt yes he is a perverted jerk, I don't need anyone (guy or girl) staring there. Now if he was to compliment a dress or something I was wearing and said it looked nice on me, or complemented my hair then I'll thank him. It's all in where you complement a girl. If you say her b***s like nice she'll assume that you're staring at them. If you say her shirt looks great on her she won't assume that (even if you are).

So don't mention the b***s or butts and you'll be fine.

Answer 3

You aren't complimenting her looks per se, more her assets than anything. She thinks that the guy only cares about what she looks like on the outside and not even thinking about what she's like on the inside. Most women think that all men think about is s*x, hence the slap. She's just making a statement saying that there's more to her than that.

Answer 4

Feminist indoctrination.

Answer 5

I suspect that with your tongue in your cheek, you already know the answer to this.

Given that the breast or the backside of a woman is generally looked upon as sexual or erotic zones, then the passing of a comment (favourable or otherwise) is to focus entirely on those zones ....and as you say, a 'risky business'.  But then, knowing that before hand, it would surely be a foolish thing to actually do ...a bit like playing Russian Roulette ~ but with 3 of the 6 chambers loaded with live rounds. No?

If someone is daft enough to do it in circumstances where there is a larger change of coming worse off, why do it.

[ that question doesn't have a Question Mark as it's rhetorical ]

Sash.

Answer 6

Some women are like that, particularly feministic women. They are the "don't touch me" types who shrink from any kind of human contact or interaction. They hate being complimented or touched, especially by men. Perhaps they hate life. Perhaps they hate themselves and consider themselves unworthy?

They are that way because feminism ideology has inculcated them with fear and hatred of men.

Answer 7

Over sensitivity and a victim mentality.

Answer 8

I think it's a bit personal to comment on someone's b*****s or butt. What if they're uncomfortable with the way they look? And even if they are comfortable with their body, what makes you assume that women want everyone noticing their b*****s? In a work environment (which I'm assuming you're talking about from the mention of sexual harassment charges) it's extremely unprofessional and inappropriate.

Good answer Jordanna :-) I'd be willing to bet that most men wouldn't like that at all!

Answer 9

If you comment on someones sexual organs they may feel it is too personal. Why not notice a girls eyes, beautiful skin or perfume instead, you may get more positive results and not seem like such a pig.

Answer 10

Because women have historically been seen as less that capable people and appreciated only for their sexuality instead of their capabilities.

Because women want to be respected and not treated like we are here for men's entertaiment.

Because men call each other feminine names as an insult (like "pu**y"... "you ____ like a girl"... etc). Then they expect women to be honored to be recognized for feminine compliments.

Because when men make such "compliments" they are usually trying to elevate themselves and their status as compared to the woman's.  

Because women don't like to be looked at as sexual objects unless it is with someone that they are sexually interested in.

and so on, and so on

Answer 11

Well, I can only assume that most women would not want to initially be complimented on their b*****s or butts.  What about her eyes, smile, personality?  I'm mean, sure, it's only human nature to be sexually drawn to somebody and notice those "certain" parts, but I doubt it's the first thing they want you to compliment them on.  

For me, especially when I was younger, compliments were hard for me to take, but that was only because I was so very shy, and wouldn't respond (rather, giggle inside and not outside), so the men usually would take my shyness as a rejection.  

In summary, maybe it's the way your wording the compliment.

Answer 12

It's often because women consider it offensive that they are being appreciated by their outside, not their inside; also, rather than being called beautiful, which is generally accepted by society today as respectful compared to being eyed at like they are only available targets for s*x.

But most women don't realize that if they never got any compliments about their body, they'd probably be jsut as upset

Answer 13

If it is in a strip bar etc. and you are saying it to the stripper etc. then I can see why it would be  curios why they would get offended.

Answer 14

You cannot equate the two ...... looks and private parts are totally different.

I am sure if a woman came over to you and commented on your 'size'..... "wow, that's a weird shape"  or "not a very big lad are you?"  you would not like it......

There is no polite or respectful way to comment on a woman's but or b*****s OR a man's p***s.

Answer 15

I like it when a guy tells me I'm pretty.  I also like it when a guy compliments my body.  I DONT like it when a guy puts his hands on me.  But I never make too much of a fuss because I can handle my own.  Thank you for asking though.  By the way, you are looking rather dashing today.

Answer 16

lol, buddy it's one thing if you want to compliment my eyes, my sense of humor, or my choice of clothes...if you compliment my ****, chances are...you'll never see 'em ;)

Answer 17

The thought of objectivity often speaks louder than the pure intent of a compliment.

Answer 18

It seems like women have to deal with this all the time. It can become offensive, because it shows us repeatedly that we are always being judged for our looks. Some days you just don't want to have to deal the standards placed on women in society. If I look good, great. If you're not my boyfriend, husband, best friend, etc., who are you to judge me without me asking you to? (This is how I feel about it at this point...I get sick of men asking me inappropriate questions or making rude comments all the time).

Answer 19

It is not very acceptable to comment on a part of the body that someone keeps covered by clothes.  And I certainly wouldn't call commenting on a woman's b*****s or butt "friendly and harmless".  I call it a little strange.  First off, I wouldn't walk up to a stranger and compliment them on anything other than clothing/shoes - male or female.  You don't KNOW that person, and people are not very receptive to strange compliments by strangers in general.  For example, I was at the gym, and the guys next to me were doing squats with a lot of weight. I'm very into weight lifting, so I said something like "that's impressive that you guys are squatting that much".  They just kind of looked at me like I was crazy and said thanks.  And you can't blame their reaction on me looking repulsive, because that is certainly not the case.  

That said, I've had a guy compliment my b*****s before, and responded with a "thank you, I really appreciate that."   The moral of the story- there are plenty of women AND men who don't respond well to compliments from strangers.

Answer 20

women and men are just different, emotionally. plus, if you say you like her chest or butt, that makes her think you're only looking at her chest or butt. she'd rather you made eye contact.

Answer 21

say nice things.roll with it.

Answer 22

Complimenting a woman on her looks is fine as long as you phrase it well. But some women, myself included, would prefer not to hear it unless it's coming from one specific person. I can't think of anyone other than the GGW who would be OK with unsolicited compliments about their b*****s or butts.

Answer 23

How many women compliment a complete stranger about their butt or private parts?  think about that one...

I can't speak for other women, but as for me, I like compliments as I so rarely get them...

and I don't care if a fellow openly complements my "girlz"...I'm actually quite proud of them...cuz there are women who PAY to get b***s like mine...and mine are 100% natural, and still pretty perky and good looking for a woman my age (47.)  I've had several guys compliment my bust...including a very famous rock star...so h**l yeah, I was flattered!

yeah, yeah, I see the thumbs down coming, but truth isn't bragging lolol

Answer 24

It's by the way you do it.  Be confident in yourself and you can get away with most anything.

Answer 25

I think it's because women have experience with compliments on their b*****s and butt, and experience shows that these compliments usually lead to propositions of sexual nature.

The save themselves the annoyance and trouble of engaging in a conversation, getting the sexual proposition then having to pull themselves out of it they shut down the conversation as soon as possible. It's a lot less awkward to blow a guy off at line one than to build up "friendly and harmless" mutual interest then have to explain that your flirting was friendly and harmless and didn't mean anything and that he got the wrong signals ect.ect.ect.ect. IF it turns out the guy was actually looking for something sexual.

I feel sorry for people like you who want to politely compliment women's butts and b*****s but the practice of polite and respectful butt and breast complimenting has been utterly ruined by scores of men who just want cheap s*x.

Answer 26

Dude.  Seriously.  It's not like women get offended if a guy says, "Wow, you're really beautiful," or "You have great eyes."  You're talking about their private areas.  Girls don't typically go up to guys and say, "Nice d**k; it's really big."  And I do know men that get offended if some strange woman or coworker talks about their butt.  It's just not appropriate outside of a close relationship.