I Am a Nice Person

I have a confession. I am a nice person. To clarify, I am an undercover nice person. I take pride in being nice. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be cause to confess. However, I must admit because of my closet obsession with being assertive and unbothered. I practice extreme niceness when I am all alone. I don’t want the people closest to me to know how nice I am, especially to strangers.

Felicia

For context, I love going out with my husband, his sister, sister, or daughter. While these people were all raised with respect for others, somewhere they received a different interpretation. I am in awe with admiration when I watch them walk unconcerned through a group of people. I feel as if I witness greatness every time my husband holds the door for me, only. I’m sure he doesn’t know how impressed I am with him when he walks in behind me and lets the door go. It sends a small spark up my insides when the people behind us have to open the door for themselves. It seems like a small act, almost imperceptible. I notice it. I desire to be this person #goals.

My sister and sister-in law walk unbothered in the path of little old ladies. I have voiced my concerns because I think old people should get the right of way. I have never loved a woman more than when I was told by both women separately, “We are old ladies too. Where is our respect?” I have the terrible habit of hesitating when people are in my path, allowing them to walk ahead of me. Which often puts me behind in line, or at a disadvantage. I don’t mind the wait.  I am rarely in a hurry.

I do mind the lack of reciprocity, appreciation, and acknowledgement. Once, I had a difficult request at a UPS store. The poor lady behind the counter was all alone. I allowed an entire store full of customers go ahead of me until more help arrived. It was only about fifteen minutes, I had nowhere to be. As the young lady finally assisted me. She thanked me for my patience. I acknowledged her appreciation and returned it. She asked me a question that I had not considered before when being kind. She asked,” Did any of those people say thank you? That was unnecessary and extremely kind of you.” She continued,” Ipromise not a single one of those people would have done the same for you.” I answered that no, none of the people that I let go ahead of me showed any appreciation. In fact, not one person even made eye contact. I almost felt like they were upset that I didn’t make them wait the thirty-five minutes that it took for her to complete my tasks.

That wasn’t the first or last time that I have shown kindness with no appropriate response. It happens all of the time. I am not a fan of the turn society has taken. People have lost their sense of kindness. No one wants to say thank you or you are welcome. Respect and reciprocity are a thing of days long gone. When driving its very rare to be allowed passage in front of other cars. Polite activity has gone where ever enthusiasm about doing one’s job has gone.

Although society has left kindness in the trash, I have not. I am still very happy to smile and allow customers to go ahead of me at Publix. At 7:00 on a Sunday morning, waiting for someone to pay for three items isn’t going to stop my day. So, if someone allows you to save some time, my request to you is, make eye contact. Maybe smile and say thank you. Most likely the person who let you in didn’t need your appreciation. I promise they will appreciate it.