I tend to compliment people a lot. But they are sincere and I am not looking to boost my self esteem or have them like me because I have given them a compliment. I often engage people I barely know, like my dry-cleaner about his hobbies, etc...and have always done this. I just like talking to people, for the most part.

However, there are some people I know that have noticed this and think I have some kind of problem with my own self-esteem. And I noticed that they do not offer many compliments.

So, that being said I would say that most people are sincere in what they are saying to you. I just don't think that there are that many cruel people that would say something complimentary to you and not mean it.