Don't feel bad. A lot of us feel unwanted. I actually say sorry almost by default because I assume I've kind of wasted the person's time or taxed their patience.

So even though I know I do it, it's not easy to break.

Telling people they're attractive. Hmm, it depends.

I love beauty--in nature/the world. I'm 100% gay, but I've told women how pretty they were and meant it.

Maybe you just like that? And once you see them take the compliment, you are sure they don't dislike you because they give you a smile--something unambiguous.

Compliments normally allow people to put their guards down a bit, as long as it isn't oddly placed or creepy (which it can be for us sometimes if it's overwrought). It's a coping mechanism even used by non-bpds.