The restaurant host

[Jim USA]

Took my family to a chain restaurant last night and the host who greeted us was your normal college kid except his huge biceps were bursting out of the uniform red polo shirt. These big guns were very much worthy of paying him a compliment for the hard work which he obviously puts in. I'm sure he is proud of his accomplishments. But I said nothing. If I saw him in the gym, I would have said something, but is a compliment out of place otherwise?

[hoosierlifter]

I don't think compliments are ever out of place. I've gotten a few in public. I even got one from my cardiogist recently.

[brent]

I wouldn't go on and on, and make him feel weird, or like you were trying to pickup on him, but a quick compliment is always nice. Like, "Great arms, you must work hard on them!"

[wbhunk]

Yeah, what Brent said. Either that, or something like, "Do you play football or something?"

[ottomun6]

...I got it!, I got it!
...How about "Do you have anything on the menu to get my arms big like that?"

(Unfortunately, I know I would have thought to to say something witty like that an hour later)

[Notbigenuff]

Well, from my limited experience giving compliments/comments to strangers and occasionally receiving them, I have to agree that they are never out of place. Even if the receiver of the compliment shrugs it off I bet he secretly enjoys getting them.

And, you never know what will happen when you give a compliment. In at least a couple of cases after giving a compliment, I've ended up with a new friend .

[glammaman2000]

nobody builds themselves up like that for no reason.if you get an"aw,pshaw!"or,"thank you,now leave"it's still very much appreciated!&a great ice-breaker!