If it's relevant, this is the Kansai region.
I work at a school, and my coworkers and I are super friendly with each other. Half of my them call me (name)-sensei, and half of them call me (name)-chan.
Anyway, whenever I notice that one of my coworkers got a haircut, I (26f) always compliment it. That's what I've always done back home in the States, and I feel like men need more compliments anyway. I've done this for the past year, for both my male and female coworkers.
Today, I said to my coworker, "By the way, you got a haircut, right? It looks nice!"
And he said (super light-heartedly), "Oh, you noticed. Like a girlfriend or wife."
And I was so shocked! He's married, so I'm thinking that maybe he's trying to convey something to me. Like maybe the compliment wasn't appropriate? Or maybe I'm overthinking it.
Anyway, I told him, "Oh, I guess I'm everyone's girlfriend then," since I always compliment everyone. Which is probably a really unhinged response, and he just laughed at me.
It's not weird between us now or anything, but I'm wondering if complimenting my male coworkers is seen as openly flirtatious? I'm married and it never even occurred to me.
by capt_b_b_