What constitutes "creepy" in social interactions?

I think it depends on the woman.

Numbers game. Some like it and some don’t, at the end of the day us Mars’ians are still going to hit on you Venus’ians, until the end of time. MUHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

I agree with @troubleinharlem. Some people are more sensitive than others. I have had men say things to me at work that would be blatant sexual harassment to some people but a hilarious joke to me.

If a man is attractive it is acceptable for him to make comments like that; if he is not, then he is a creeper by today’s general standards.

Women are what is known as “discriminant” maters. They will have differential reactions depending upon the appearance, perceived status, odor, and many other parameters they have been unconsciously evaluating since they first saw the man in question.

I also think there is a creepiness to those who invade my personal space. I am comfortable talking with someone who is about 2 feet away or more. If I don’t know someone and they try to get closer than that, it feels creepy to me.

For me personally, the creep-o-meter is heavily dependent on the guy’s ability to perceive the boundaries for the specific situation. For example, if I’m occupied with something else or just blatantly not interested and he keeps flirting… that tips the creepy scale a bit in my book.

I don’t like compliments in general.
It makes me feel like I have to compliment back, and if there’s nothing to respond with it’s an awkward “thanks..” followed by an awkward pause.
That combined with a low-self esteem just makes me dislike compliments.

@shockrocks – Co-sign.

I get men who try to chat me up while not seeming to understand that in the US, social space for people who don’t know each other is 2 feet minimum, no matter how much they want to get into my pants right that second.

@rangerr have you ever heard of Awkward Turtle? One of my friends showed it to me the other day. You put one hand flat over the other and swim with your thumbs, and you can also raise your eyebrows and make a pained facial expression. It’s supposed to be a hand signal to let your friend know that the situation is awkward and we must leave… now! But it also has this hilarious element of, “wait… wtf?”

As for the original question, it’s all in the way the man pays the compliment. Usually when a man tells me I have a nice smile, it’s creepy. Maybe it’s because I use public transit, but it seems like the only guys who will outright say something like this to a woman are basically using it as a form of catcalling, and there’s something creepy and sexual about their demeanor. Like, “Hey baby! You’ve got a nice smile. Can I get your phone number!” And you know this dude said it to 50 other women that day.

If I were at a coffeeshop and a cute barista told me nervously that I had a nice smile, I would probably melt into a puddle on the floor.

@Haleth I’ve been doing that since 7th grade. I’m in college now. Haha.

Standing too close and eye contact that’s sustained for way too long creeps me out.

I’m with @Likeradar. Close talking, too much direct eye contact and a lack of him sensing what else is occurring in the room would creep me out.

By the way, gals can be just as “creepy” as guys . . .

@Kayak8 good point!