It might work for people who mean well but generally don't realize that their behavior is not acceptable. I knew an Eastern European gentleman who constantly complimented women on their appearances, whether or not they were conventionally attractive ("No, no, you are not fat! You are strong!"), which makes me think he meant well, but it still came off as creepy and weird.

Of course that guy kept losing jobs for it. :-/ I don't know if he ever really learned. So I dunno.