This week, I conducted a small social experiment. I asked 25 guys and 25 girls ages 17 to 25 to tell me the compliment that they would most like to receive from someone of the opposite sex. I merely said “compliment.” I did not specify whether it had to be romantic or platonic in nature, based on a physical or personality trait, or related to a certain situation.

The results were interesting. Both groups almost instinctively reverted to romantic compliments. Though guys often asked me, “Aubrey, what type of situation are we talking about here?,” or “Like something I’d hear at a bar?”, once they finally stopped asking questions, most of their selections were relatively romantic in nature.

Also, many prefaced their compliments with qualifying statements like, “This might be corny but…” Girls, on the other hand, responded very quickly without hesitation or questioning, and the majority of their compliments were again ones you would expect to hear from a romantic partner. Several actually made specific mention of dating or marriage. So, without further ado, let’s start with the ladies’ selections. Boys and girls, take note if you are looking to woo that special someone…

25 of the Best Compliments a Man Could Give a Woman, According to Women Ages 17-25

1. “Never change who you are.”

2. “You are the type of person that I would marry.”

3. “You’re a good person.”

4. “You’re going to be great at whatever you do.”

5. “You’re absolutely stunning, but that’s my least favorite thing about you.”

6. “I love your quirks.”

7. “You have beautiful eyes.”

8. “Did you get your hair done?”

9. “I want you.”

10. “Date me.”

11. “You interest me. You’re uncommon.”

12. “You’re the smartest girl I know.”

13. “‘I like you because of your soul, not your face. I mean, I like your face too, but I like your soul better." (If he said that, I’d marry him.)

14. “I’ve been waiting to see you all day.”

15. “You make me a better person.”

16. “You make me strive to reach my full potential so I can be the best that I can be for you."

17. “Because of you, I see the world differently.”

18. “My friends like hanging out with you.”

19. “You’re my favorite person to see every day.”

20. “You challenge me.”

21. “You’re true to yourself.”

22. “I like you for all of your quirks and flaws (i.e. my love for Bill Murray), even though you’re not always a peach.”

23. “You have a beautiful smile that lights up the room.”

24. “I admire your ambition.”

25. “You’ve got charisma.”

And from the gentlemen…

25 of the Best Compliments a Woman Could Give a Man, According to Men Ages 17-25

1. “You are down to earth.”

2. “I would like to be complimented on the length of my…toes.”

3. “You’ve got broad shoulders. That’s the best compliment, 100 percent, no competition.”

4. “A nonverbal soft smile or a genuine laugh after I say or do something.”

5. “I like when she says something that makes me feel like I got my shit together.”

6. “You make me happy.”

7. “No, you don’t look like Danny DeVito at all!”

8. “You’re a genuinely good guy.”

9. “You have a great sense of humor.”

10. “You make me feel safe.”

11. “You’re really attractive.”

12. “You have such a sweet soul.”

13. “I know you will always treat me right.”

14. “You’ve made me a better person.”

15. “I appreciate all that you do for me.”

16. “I believe in you.”

17. “You’re not just a hot piece of ass.”

18. “You’re the kind of guy I’d love to bring home to Mom.”

19. “You clean up well.”

20. "I am comfortable around you."

21. "You smell amazing."

22. "I like when she blushes around me. That's a compliment, right?"

23. "Thank you. I see that you're trying for me, so thanks for that."

24. "You make me proud."

25. "My friends are jealous that I'm with you."

Next time you think of something that you want to say to your special lady, go ahead and do it. If he means the world to you, let him know with some kind words. Maybe we ought to expand our definition of what constitutes a compliment across the sexes, too. Platonic compliments between men and women can be just as powerful. We need to get better at sincere complimenting. These things shouldn’t be so hard for us to say or so rarely heard.