Compliments and interest

I recieved a private message from a girl today on a forum that I post in sometimes:

"Chief! I love reading your posts, you're one of the only people I'll actually make an effort to see what they write on here. Anyway, just wanted you to know you are appreciated!"

As I was trying to think about how I would respond to this message, my mind was drawing a blank. And then, a wave of thoughts and ideas molested my head:

1. "I recieved a sincere compliment. Good ego boost."
2. "This was from a member of the opposite sex."
3. "I don't know what she looks like because this is the internet."
4. "Besides a standard line like, 'thank you,' I don't know what to say in response."
5. "Why? She failed to mention anything about herself. The focus was completely directed upon me."
6. "She didn't say or ask anything that could potentially elicit a genuine response from me."
7. "I am not interested in her because she didn't give me anything to be interested in."

Don't get me wrong... there was nothing wrong with this girl as far as I could tell. She's a sweetheart. She just didn't talk to me with the most favorable combination of words.

AFCs compliment girls all the time. What happens when a guy walks up to a girl and gives a compliment? Right off the bat, something like this will go on in her head:

1. "I recieved a sincere compliment. Good ego boost."
2. "This was from a member of the opposite sex."
3. "I can judge him a little bit by what he looks like, but that's not enough for my feelings to really decide on anything."
4. "Besides a standard response like 'thank you,' I don't know what to say in response."
5. "Why? He failed to mention anything about himself. The focus was completely directed upon me."
6. "He didn't say or ask anything that could potentially elicit a genuine response from me."
7. "I am not interested in him because he didn't give me anything to be interested in."

I already knew these concepts, but this realization made me see things more clearly in a structured manner. Having the other-side perspective really opens your eyes. Now I actually feel sorry for all those hot girls at the bars lol. They must be bored out of their minds with guys like that all over the place. Let's go do them a favor, fellas.

-Chief