"Depends entirely on the intention and the appropriateness of the comment to the context not least the comfort of the woman receiving the compliment …… " - it actually doesn't and that's the problem.

That attitude encourages and condones the "take it as a compliment" or "I was only joking" defense, which allows men to not have to stop and think about the effect their behaviour may have on women.

It may be what's happening now, but reiterating this as a fact of life reinforces this behaviour and sends the message that women must accommodate men's intentions instead of something more like the reverse - Men should think about how they come across.