I can't speak to the experience of others but the way compliments are discussed makes me take tallies, hype and many stories with a grain of salt. Some people weave the most wonderful tales of compliments, but I never see such things happening in all the time I spend with them. I know in the right environ, with the right scent and weather there are some generous souls out there who will stop a person on the street. It seems to be getting rarer and rarer though as people grow more insular and self-absorbed these days however especially in large cities where people are afflicted by the sad condition of thinking themselves eternally busy with no time to spare.
Compliments, in my experience, are maybe 10% scent, 20% luck and 40% environment and 30% misc. factors.
Since this thread is about first time compliments it seems as good a place as any for me to meditate on factors which aid in drawing them, regardless of the scent you choose.
For starters you need to put yourself out there. Every moment you spend not wearing scent, or on your own is a moment in which it is impossible to attract anyone's interest. Every time you leave the house you should be wearing something nice. If you're not fond of a scent wearing it to use it up is like an extended form of self-castigation: sell it, give it away, wear it on your own if you want to explore the notes further or are undecided, but stop wearing it out even if you are just 'going down the shops,' or what have you. You should also make a habit of dressing and presenting yourself well everytime you step out of the door. I'm not talking about dressing up, but get used to having your shirts ironed and crisp, and even if you don't need one wear a nice belt with your jeans or trousers, and try not to dress in a brooding or sombre way. The idea is to seem approachable. So cultivate the habits which foreward that end by making eye contact, and even if you're not the type to smile all the time at least smile at people who look your way.
Give people the opening they might need, or only the most extroverted souls will ever approach you, and remember that there is nothing wrong with raising the topic yourself. If you're on a bus or train or at the checkout talk to the cashier, or the person beside you. Give them a little push to turn their thoughts in the right direction; comment on how they smell, or say something to make it clear you're wearing a fragrance. Even if you're simply passing someone on the street aknowledge them, say good morning or greet them politely in passing.
I think if you're not the sort of person who will compliment the way others smell, you're unlikely to be the sort of person who gets complimented on how you smell.
There are so many ways people cut themselves off from others nowdays. This is a big issue and somewhat beside the point, and I don't want to stray off topic. Still you can extrapolate yourselves by thinking about it. I'll only mention a few things. I-pods and the like are inherently anti-social, and you might as well have a neon sign above your head which says 'I'm blocking you out,' when you go about in headphones. Playing with mobile phones, personal organisers and the like sends a simmilar message.
In my experience if you cultivate the right habits to make yourself presentable and approachable, when in an environment and situation where people are not rushed, and where the weather and atmosphere is condusive to detecting the way others smell each and everytime you make a social connection with another (even if you merely make eye contact and smile) then provided there are no alienating factors like a substantial age difference there is a chance they will notice and say something about your fragrance.