Two factors: the social environment and who hears this. and who are you? The same comment coming from different people means different things. If she sees you as hot, you do better than if she sees you as a stupid, drunken loser. An extreme example to make a point.

Because she'd rather be called beautiful.

Being called hot makes a girl think, "Okay, he wants to hook up with me." Being called called cute makes a girl think, "That's sweet... but am I like a little sister to him?" Being called beautiful makes a girl very happy!

It's not about what complement you use, it's about the context. If you are a creepy troll wearing a trenchcoat and you come up to a strange woman on the subway and compliment her, she will squirt mace in your eyes. If you have met a woman at a party, you have introduced yourself, you have already been having a conversation, and there is obvious mutual intrest, then there is no problem. Just don't be creepy.

It depends how you say it. If you say "You look hot and I want to shag you", it will no doubt, be met with offense. If however you said, "You are the hottest girl in the place tonight! You look great!! - you will probably get a more favourable response. Cute is OK. However, to be honest, you don't have to say either of these things to girls to ask them out or whatever. Remember, just because you tell a girl she is beautiful (a bit over the top) it does not mean she will believe you. Stay away from any comment about her body (or certain parts of it) and any sexual comments (such as 'fancy a shag, or 'nice tits'). Girls like boys who are confident and a little cocky - but don't go over the top and say things to make yourself look good at her expense. On first contact, don't be too slushy and pay her compliment after compliment, she will think you odd and untrustworthy. Don't cling! Confidence in this sort of thing is rarely in abundance - none of us have that much. The difference between what seems like the confident and non-confident is often that those who seem self assured are merely better at hiding their nerves and fear. To use an english phrase, 'you blag it'. It supposed to be fun afterall. It you lack confidence with girls then just pretend that you don't - it will come.

Only when they feel youve sexually objectified them and no girl, meeting anyone on a social platform, likes to be sexually objectified. Dont believe all the things that come out of the mouth of porn actresses just before they do their stuff -