"We all want something beautiful..."

NEW POST! NEW POST!
So my mother and two of my sisters are in Maui right now with their families. I'm excited for them, and a little jealous, as Utah is cold and windy and wet and ugly right now. So I've been thinking a little bit about the differences between Utah and Maui lately, and besides the glaringly obvious, I want to tell you something I've noticed.
I texted Heather yesterday and told her that they had to go to Giannotto's Pizza in Wailuku. Why? The food is good, not spectacular, but very good, but most of all the owner, David Giannotto, is one of my favorite people in the world. I only went there one time, it was busy and there were several people in front of me in line. As soon as I walked in, however, Mr. Giannotto said hello and thanked me for coming in and assured me he'd be with me in just a minute. When it finally was my turn he gave me his undivided attention, shook my hand across the counter and introduced himself as David, asked me where I was from and how I liked it there. His staff was equally friendly as they took over preparing my order, despite the hectic atmosphere. The two boys asked me how I was doing, referred to me as the "lovely young lady in the corner" and one winked at me when he handed me my food. They thanked me over and over again for coming. The whole time I was there I felt like I was the most important, most beautiful customer they'd ever had and I didn't want to leave. And it wasn't just me. I could tell that the other customers coming and going all felt equally special. If you read any reviews for the place they all say the same thing, too.
That's kind of a special example, even for Maui, but my point is in the month I was there I was noticed and complimented and even hit on more than I ever have been, before or since. And I'm not a stunner or anything, but the men in Hawaii just seem to be more appreciative, or at least more openly appreciative, of women. I've heard the same thing about men in other countries. It was a great confidence booster, I think every girl should go just for that. But it makes me wonder why the nice Mormon boys in Utah, and most of the rest of the U.S., don't get it. Girls like compliments. We devote a lot of time and energy and money to making ourselves look good, and although some feminists might claim otherwise, lets face it, we mostly do it for men. I know some girls don't know how to accept compliments well, but maybe that's because they don't hear them often enough. Telling a girl she's pretty or has a nice smile does not mean you want to marry her, it's okay. In Hawaii I just had to walk down the street and guys would turn their heads to watch me, and smile at me or wave and say hi. Here nobody gives me a second look. Or if they do they hide it very well. Here people make fun of me for openly admiring an attractive young man that walks by. Why is it socially unacceptable to even look at someone here? So what if they're married or dating someone? A compliment or even just a smile is not a contract, but it might help them feel better about themselves.