Girl asked me a question? What does it mean?

I've never really had a relationship so the answer to this may be staring me in the face nad i have some suspicions but i want to know what you guys think.

I was hanging out with a girl i know last and although i think she's gorgeous i never really had a major thing for her. We were in a bar and she asked me if i thought the barmaid was attractive. I told her what I thought and implied that i thought she was better looking trying not to come across too strong. The barmaid was alright but it's pretty obvious to me that she kinda asked out of the blue. If you asked a guy whether some random girl was hot what would would be your reasons? (besides that you kinda like the guy - i already have my suspicions)

thanks!

To point out, i'm 22 she's 21 and we're in the same classes at university

When I ask a guy if another chick is attractive I'm usually trying to gauge his ' type'.

She was fishing for compliments. You should have said "Yes she's pretty, but you are prettier."

I do have a type of girl that I really like, but I'll date anyone who has a good personality.

It could have meant anything, really. Maybe she thought the girl was cute and wanted to know. Maybe she wondered if you thought she was cuter than her. Maybe she's a lesbian. I would say if you are interested in this chick ask her on a date, or you might never know!

Maybe she wanted to take you home for a night, but didn't have the balls to just ask you. One thing I like, is a direct woman.

Truth be told she was very drunk that night and I probably would have felt like i was taking advantage if i slept with her. Still, it's just that i never got any real clues that she was into me until that night - i just assumed she was a generally flirty and talkative person.

We're in the same specialism at university, there's seven of us and a teacher so we're a very close and tight-knit group so i don't want to make things awkward because we see a LOT of each other and we're going to work closely together for at least another six months. There were loads of other signs that night that she might be into me and you're probably screaming ASK HER OUT YOU IDIOT but I don't know how I'd handle a potential rejection.

Thanks for the help so far!

I like to try and understand what type of girls my guy friends like, so I often ask them whether they think a girl is attractive. In general it doesn't mean that I am fishing for compliments or that I am interested in the guy. But if, as you said, there were "loads of other signs that she might be into you", than those two things are probably the case. It was good of you to make her understand that you think she is cuter. If you are into her you should really try and gather up the courage to ask her out. If it goes well it goes well, and if it doesn't, well rejections are part of life, you better get used to them as soon as possible : ).