People post selfies and sometimes I wanna compliment them about it, but I get self-conscious. Like, I don't wanna be that creeper rando telling ladies on the internet they got a nice smile or whatever. So often I compose it, then delete. I feel like it's better to err on the side of caution there.
@benhamill
What a conundrum!
I feel like a (potentially awkward and socially abrasive) solution might be to post selfies with a "comments okay" tag?
I think a lot of people might feel like they'll be misread as fishing for compliments, so it may not work for all people, but I certainly like it, and if that whole (-) tag in the CW thing caught on, maybe this will, too?
@lindar Yeah. The feels like the right social interaction, but people don't wanna look vain. There's enough "think pieces" about how "selfie culture" is vain as it is. IDK. I don't feel TOO bad about this conundrum. The big scary problems that afflict straight dudes. 😜
@benhamill It's definitely an awkward situation even if you're not a straight dude.
Let's say there's three things you can post:
[no comments]
[comments okay]
[comments requested]
If it's not tagged that way, then common sense applies, and default to not commenting.
Maybe if it takes off we can shorten it to:
[nocom]
[okcom]
[rqcom]
Just a silly idea, but I like it.
@benhamill
Also, 100% fuck people who shame selfie culture. I don't give a crap what they think.
I spent near three decades being extremely uncomfortable in my own body and now that I actually kinda like how it looks I'm going to take dozens of pictures and post them everywhere.
Anyone who tells me not to can step on a lego, trip, and fall into a cold river.
[okcom]
@lindar @benhamill You look fantastic. Post more selfies! :)
@noelle
You're far too kind!
I attribute at least 40% of my cuteness in that photo to the top I was wearing, but I'll still take the compliment. :P
@noelle @lindar More power to you. I never post selfies and I'm not really sure why. I mean I guess my profile picture is one, but I've been using it for maybe a decade at this point? It's still pretty accurate, but 🤷🏻♂️ I don't really think about my appearance much, I guess? Like, I pick clothes that I like the look of on me and whatever. I just mean that once I'm dressed, it just doesn't really enter my mind. Except my socks. I think about argyle socks a lot. Heh.
@benhamill @noelle @lindar there is one selfie that ben posted
that made me cry a little
the look in his eyes reached me and it was so important
i'm not going to mention the occasion but at that point i decided we were friends forever
@amphetamine @noelle @lindar Oh my god I'm blushing. I was thinking of that, too. Certainly the most recent selfie I took and probably the only one I've taken since I joined Mastodon? I should take more just so that's not the only one. 
@lindar Hard agree with you about selfie culture, and I love how the tiny Spock in the background looks like he's daring someone to call self-love illogical.
Also, you look fabulously relaxed in that top.
@lindar @benhamill Hello. I agree with you on the selfie culture, too! Showing yourself can be very empowering...
Also, you seem to have an interesting story to tell about your three decades feeling uncomfortable in your body... Ironically i'm three decades old and am just *starting* to feel okay in it.
I've learned so much for my own life just listening to other people's stories... Although i don't know anything about you or your story, i just find your toot very impressive - and empowering for itself. ✊
And yes, of course that top is very cute. Heh. 😊
@lindar Oh I like that, too. Because if [rqcom] exists, then putting [okcom] means you're not fishing. It's pretty explicit.