I told a guy today “you look so fashionable!” because he did, good looking guy literally young enough to be my kid, in a great outfit that looked intentional, and got back a “thank you!” Because he knew I was not chatting him up, just legitimately complimenting him. I could always do this with women, but not men.
Just happy, I am happy about it.
This is a big part of why. If a woman compliments a man, the odds that he’ll take it as being hit on are very high. And if they then “reciprocate” and you aren’t into him, he may or may not respond rationally.
Usually better not to risk it unless you know the guy and that he won’t take it the wrong way.
It’s a chicken and egg thing, I think. It’s interpreted that way because it’s so rare.