I'm not entirely clear on what your angle is (or even what you're particularly asking about). But I'll try my best to offer something meaningful.
From what I can gather, you are making the rather common mistake of equating captialism with corporate capitalism/venture capitalism It may seem convenient (and depressing to think of the things as intertwined, but they're really not.
Capitalism is very simple. It's the exchange of goods and services for monetary reward. The harder you work (theoretically) the more you're rewarded. It's only when corporations, venture capitalists and stock prices become involved that that notion begins to become corrupted.
If I make a point to trying to do my grocery shopping at the local grocery store rather than the big chain, that's still capitalism. I'd argue it's more pure capitalism than corporate douchebaggery.
If I have a neighbour who likes to make wooden furniture in his garage and I procure a table and chairs from him instead of going to IKEA. That's still capitalism.
If (as I had all the time growing up) our neighbours kept cows while my family kept chickens, we would purchase beef from them and they would purchase eggs and poultry from us. THAT'S CAPITALISM.
Seeing the reward from your own sweat rather than a corporation seeing the reward from other people's sweat.
I guess in some sort of answer to your question, take back the notion of capitalism from the greedy corporations that have hijacked it. Support your local community. Go to your local farmer's markets. Buy from local artisans and farmers. THAT'S how we reconcile (and fix) capitalism.
I'm a guy and I'm in a very customer facing line of work and I don't have that issue at all.
As others have said, maybe it's an age thing (I'm middle aged) or maybe it's a tone thing. If I'm complimenting them, it's usually on something specific; "Oh hey, those are really cool glasses" or "I love what you've done with your hair.", etc...
It's never "You've got pretty hair, lady." or "Gosh yer' beautiful."
The line between platonic comment and creepy sex weirdo (in my mind) is if you're complimenting them on something they actively did that you think is cool (hairstyle, choice of glasses, etc...) it's fine. Complimenting them on features that they have no control over, like saying "Hey, I just wanted to, completely randomly tell you how attractive you are" is creepy.