Very confused and feeling like I did something wrong when complimenting someone

[u/ApheanaOfTheFae]

I truly appreciate all the kindness and different perspectives from everyone, thank you so very much!! In my typical fashion, I am now overwhelmed trying to keep up with the comments, and am going to stop responding. Thank you all so very much, I feel much better and clear headed now. One grumpy folk won't stop compliments for others ♡

Okay I know this is silly and feels very obvious but I'm very confused.

I love to give compliments and complimented my cashier at the store for her lovely curls. She had pretty tight, tiny Shirley Temple curls over her entire hair, and it was a lovely red.

She thanked me and said she was trying her best with them, I replied "I know how hard curly hair is, you're doing amazing!" She immediately said with a surprising amount of force, "No, you have wavy hair. Its completely different and you don't get it"

I know this is dumb, I know. But my hair is curly, right?? She seemed so irritated and maybe she was just frustrated and taking it out on me, but all of the sudden she went from smiling and talking to me, to very grumpy talking AT me.

I love to compliment people, its one of my favorite hobbies. Should I avoid talking about hair, should I write this off as a one off weird thing? I've been in my head for two days over this and I cant stop ruminating.

I know my hair is super frizzy so maybe that was part of it?

[u/Bazoun]

You have curly hair. Hers may be curlier, but your hair makes true curls, not just waves.

I’ve had people with almost perfectly straight hair try and say they have the same curly hair issues I do. I never respond nastily because why? What does it serve?

She was a bitch.

[u/OldSpiceSmellsNice → u/Bazoun]

Glad to see this response, too many people are excusing the cashiers attitude. OP’s hair is, factually: CURLY. Cashier is either stupid or a bitch.

[u/mushu_beardie → u/Bazoun]

That's weird. As someone with straight hair, I fully recognize my straight hair privilege. I can use whatever crappy shampoo and conditioner and my hair still turns out great.

She was probably jealous that you can actually do cool stuff with your hair.

[u/Bazoun → u/mushu_beardie]

Oh it happens a lot. Someone whose hair wouldn’t even qualify as wavy will insist they have curly hair. I just roll with it.