People are different though. If you look different, you look different. I don't see how that's arguable.
I'm a white guy, and when I went to India people wanted to get photos with me, because in that place I was I was different. It wouldn't matter if I didn't consider myself different, I was, and it was plain to see. Maybe some of them thought I looked weird, maybe some thought I looked exotic - I know which one I would prefer them to think.
And look, of course I subscribe to the notion that we're all the same on the inside, but people aren't colourblind. As for the idea that we should never call each other exotic, I think it's fine to appreciate differences and it's fine to be complementary. If I thought someone who looked different to me was weird-looking, I'd keep my mouth shut because that's rude to say.
That's not my point. Sometimes the recipient doesn't see him or herself as different. And yes, I'm talking about physical appearance.