Gosh I didn't expect to start anything more than a few smiles with this comment. I'm French, this is absolutely normal to say that where I'm from, and I can tell you that no German or Italian woman / man would take offense for what I said (angry Twitter mobs don't count ;)

I can't speak for Japanese people since I never met any.

I don't know if your reaction is representative of US culture, but having to tip toe around words and not say what you think doesn't scream free country to me.