Complimenting strangers

I firmly believe in complimenting strangers. People I know, too, but there is something special about telling the woman walking toward the parking garage that her red shoes are to die for, or the barista that her earrings are lovely. I thought the middle aged woman in the red shoes was going to hug me she got so excited and she launched into a story about shopping in Chicago with her daughter. The barista with the simple citron earrings told me she made them herself and has been crafting jewelry since she was a little girl. Granted, I really only compliment other women because I have this fear that guys will think I am hitting on them when really I just like their hat/jacket/shoes/etc. Regardless, I love the stories people share with me and even the occasional confused shying away when I tell them something they are wearing is beautiful. It's as if the anonymity makes it a little more true because I'm not a friend saying it "just because I have to." I'm just a stranger, noticing a bold pair of shoes or some graceful earrings.