Those dreaded words that no CDer wants to hear?

[Wildaboutheels]

Those awful 4 words. "I love your shoes".

Now, w/o cheating [checking other responses before you post] do you KNOW how you would react?

To simplify, let's assume, you don't see who said it, but the voice certainly sounds female and it sounds like they are within 15 or 20 feet away. [Not 100 feet away and shouted for the whole store to hear]

1] Your heart rate would likely instantly jump to 150 beats a minute and you would likely drop and spill your purse and you would do your best Run Forrest Run impression?

2] You would instantly just KNOW you had been busted? Followed by #1 reaction?

3] Immediately counter attack and go on the defensive with a well rehearsed verbal assault?

4] Thank her for the compliment and/or offer to her where you bought them?

5] Simply say "Thank You" but with your body language let her know you are open to questions?

6] Feel the need to explain to her WHY you are "dressed up"

7] Ignore her/Pretend you did not hear her?

8] Other?

Feel free to pick as many as you want!

[AllieSF]

Mine would be a modified No. 4. The modification would be that she or he has just given me a great reason to start a conversation with another stranger.

[kimdl93]

Without hesitation, 4.

[Michelle789]

I would go with number 4 and thank her. Being complimented on your shoes is a normal part of being a woman. Every time I have gone out en femme I get complimented on my shoes or clothes at least once, especially in support groups.

I understand the fears behind this. "I've been clocked." "I haven't been clocked yet, but I will be clocked when I open my mouth and she hears a male voice."

[Kate's at home]

I'd give her a big smile and say thank you. Unless she was being sarcastic, she would have just made my day. And, I would be thinking what I could compliment her on.

Kate

[Deedee Skyblue]

how do I know it is addressed to me? If I heard a voice and couldn't tell who it was, and there were other people around, I would assume it was addressed to someone else. If there are only 2 people around so I know it must be her talking to me, what else is there to do but say 'Thank you' and try to find something about her to compliment.

Deedee

[natcrys]

My shoes always get compliments.. and I always go for 4.

Why on earth would those words be something I wouldn't want to hear? Seriously.. why wouldn't I?

[dana digs sweaters]

#4 & #5 without a doubt

[KaceyR]

Mine was #4.. At my recent Dress Barn shopping..
Actually.. Twice.
One by a customer, and another by the SA.
Only thing I find annoying is I still am lacking in the response after.. I'd like to be able to say thanks, and give a good comment back on whatever the lady might have on,etc... But I'm too new and still a bit nervous at this to give quick compliments back I guess

[mechamoose]

"Aren't they great??"

Thank you (dear!)

<3

[Marcelle]

Going to go with # 4 as well as that has occurred only it was a scarf I was wearing.

Hugs

Isha

[DebbieL]

Women admire each other's shoes and frequently compliment us on them. The polite thing to do is #4, to thank her for the compliment, preferably in a feminine voice that shows that you truly appreciate her compliment. Even if you don't remember where you got that specific pair, you can give her your favorite store (DSW in my case). Often this will become an opening for a conversation. It's also a good idea to look for some choice she has made and compliment her. Jewelry, clothing, or shoes are all great items to complement. This mutual affirmation validates both of you and creates the opening for mutual admiration and mutual friendship, even if only for a few minutes.

When a woman compliments your shoes or jewelry, this is her way of saying "you're one of us". She may not even realize you are not a natural woman.

Needless to say, it's a good idea to practice speaking in a more feminine voice. A pitch around A below middle C to middle C is a good range, especially if you're a larger woman. It's also a good idea to practice using a range of pitches to show emotion. Most men maintain a rather even pitch, usually less than a third in range. Women often use an entire octave or more.

[S. Lisa Smith]

#4 or #5 depending on how I felt at the time. I've gotten compliments on my tops before, my shoes are pretty plain...

[darla_g]

Can't a compliment be taken as a compliment and leave it at that?

[Underdressed]

#5. I actually had that situation while wearing heels in drab.
Judging by her expression I am pretty sure that it was meant as a complement!
The moment passed so quickly that I never had the chance to respond.

[Jenelle]

I would be nervous as hell but thank her then explain the utter ordeal I had to go through to find them in a 12WW and moan about how I would just die to fit in a size 9.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi WAH, #7 for sure don't look back and keep walking.

[Nicole Erin]

Why would anyone do anything except 4 or 5?
Unless it is a snide tone, it is genuine. Yeah you probably were "busted" but if so, they have already shown approval.

[Janine cd]

I would go with 4 and smile as I walked away.

[Wildaboutheels]

One odd thing about compliments I have noticed is that Black ladies are probably 10 times more likely to offer them regardless of the store but especially in Payless...

[Jilmac]

I think I would keep it simple and just go with number 4

[lindsey89]

No doubt number 4. I love having conversations like this with women!

[Adriana Moretti]

My shoes always get compliments.. and I always go for 4.

Why on earth would those words be something I wouldn't want to hear? Seriously.. why wouldn't I?

I'm rolling with Nat...it is also a very good opening line to say to a GG....the shoes say alot about the women wearing them...

[Nadine Spirit]

#4

And I don't dread it at all. I love getting complements. Generally I don't complement back. But I offer complements to others when I genuinely think they deserve them.

[Millie.Graham]

Well, I am currently super duper in the closest. So if I were to actually hear those words I think I would go with option #0. Fall over dead from a heart attack. :-). But in all honesty. I believe that if I ever screw up the courage to venture out into the big wide world en femme, I would go with number 4 or 5 and be thrilled with the compliment.