The Unfiltered Style Compliment
"Giving a stranger a win for their outfit choice creates an instant ripple of confidence."
Social kindness begins with giving genuine compliments to strangers on the street.
Think about the last time a stranger told you they liked your outfit or your hair. You probably walked a little taller for the next three blocks, right? We all spend so much time curating our look and trying to express ourselves, yet we rarely acknowledge the effort others are putting in. Vocalizing a positive thought about someone’s style is one of the easiest ways to inject a burst of confidence into the world.
If you see someone with insane sneakers or a cool vintage jacket, tell them. Keep it brief, keep it respectful, and keep it moving. You are not trying to start a long conversation or get their number. You are just being a witness to their vibe. Giving a stranger a win for their outfit choice creates an instant ripple of confidence that they will carry with them.
We often hold back compliments because we are afraid of looking weird or being awkward. But most people are just waiting to be noticed in a positive way. As long as you are genuine and not creepy about it, a compliment is almost always welcomed. It breaks down the invisible walls we build around ourselves in public and reminds us that we are all just humans doing our best to look cool.
This is about being a 'hyper' for the world. When you look for things to praise, you start seeing beauty everywhere. It changes your own perspective from one of judgment to one of appreciation. You become the person who sees the gold in everyone, and that is a very attractive quality to have. Go ahead and tell them those boots are elite. It costs you nothing.