WOODLAND PARK, CO -- Intending his words to be a compliment, Steve "ColoradoGuy" Garufi's comment to a teenage cashier that she was a “nerd” backfired when she thought the Internet personality was "making fun" of her.

“When I got to the counter she (the cashier) was acting really goofy and I realized she was acting just like the way I do ... I felt a connection to her and that's when I said, ‘Hey, you’re a nerd!’" said Steve, with disappointment.

"I totally meant it as a compliment, but she didn’t take it that way.” he added.

Nearby co-workers, who apparently heard Steve's comment, were giggling and looking over at Steve.

“It looked like they were making fun of me, and that was okay,” he chuckled, “because I really am a nerd, but then it looked like they were kind of teasing her.”

Realizing that he needed to go into "damage mood" (as he often needs to when he opens his big mouth), Steve explained to the teenager that it was a compliment, which seemed to make things right with her (see photo below). As he was leaving, he even got a picture of the cashier with his digital camera.

Steve has openly claimed to be a nerd and fully embraces his so-called “nerdy tendencies.” He maintains this mindset helps him be free of self-consciousness and empowers him to be himself, even if people label him as strange.

The entire nerve-racking incident occured at the Woodland Park restaurant on Highway 24, as Steve was on his way to Mueller State Park near Cripple Creek.