Can you compliment a stranger?

Is it ok to notice and comment on a stunningly beautiful feature?
Or is just awkward?

I am pleased to report that I’m friends with The Funniest Person in the World. I can't be in his house for more than ten minutes without finding myself clinging helplessly to furniture, banging my head against the wall or doubled over as if I'm begging for someone to kick me. He's been happily married for over 15 years to a woman who is very sweet, but who has the sense of humor of a dishrag. While the rest of us are teary-eyed, red-faced and stumbling around screaming for help, she sits there, nervously smiling, as if she's just sat in something wet.
"Oh the waste!" I think as I drive away. All that hilarity just soaring over her head when they’re alone. With so many people starving for laughter in this world, there he is, feeding caviar to the flies. I can't stand it. I really just can't.
I feel much the same way about undelivered compliments - the ones we don't give to each other or to ourselves. We get but one go round on this planet to be ourselves, and to spend it thinking we are anything less than fabulous is a shameful waste. Our purpose is to make ourselves and everyone around us happy, and getting a compliment, even if you need a cooty shot afterwards, is still a compliment. Here are a few pointers:
Uncreepy: Complimenting her while looking in her eyes and smiling.
Creepy: Complimenting her while staring at her chest.
Uncreepy: Smiling, no big dealing, and walking away.
Creepy: Lingering, staring, wanting something in return.
Uncreepy: Following up with a lovely chat.
Creepy: Touching her.
It's about how you say it, not what you say, so be light and fun about it and so will she. To sort of quote Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel like a sweaty-palmed pervert without your permission," so give yourself a break.

To sort of quote Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel like a sweaty-palmed pervert without your permission," so give yourself a break.