Being Nice

[Buffett and Colbert]

So I have a bit of a problem, and am wondering if any of you Generalites have encountered the same. If you haven't noticed before, I'm kind of a jackass. And let me cut you off before I get a hundred "Kind of?" jokes.

Multiple times I've made resolutions to be nice, but I can't do it for very long. I end up typing snide comments or acting arrogantly IRL anyway. It disturbs me how I can't seem to just freakin' be nice.

So have any of you dealt with this problem before? If so, how? Or alternatively, do you think it matters?

[Georgism]

I had this problem back when I cared about it. Now I don't. Problem solved.

I'm probably nicer now than when I tried to be anyway.

[Paix et Serenite]

Welp, i'm kind of a doormat, so I'd happily trade personalities with you if you'd like.

[Rambhutan]

The easiest way to be nice is to not try to impress anyone. We are all at our worst when we try to impress.

[United Dependencies]

I never noticed. Really.

edit: I had a problem with being arrogant when I was young. I'm not sure what I did but I think I'm much nicer than I use to be.

[Ceannairceach]

Don't care so much. Someone will always think you are a jackass, even if you aren't. Roll with it.

I personally find you funny.

[The Truth and Light]

Become a Buddhist. Or a Daoist. Something Asian. Then chill and go with the flow...

[Ceannairceach]

Become a Buddhist. Or a Daoist. Something Asian. Then chill and go with the flow...

Changing religions or philosophies doesn't guarantee a personality or disposition change >_>

[Buffett and Colbert]

The easiest way to be nice is to not try to impress anyone. We are all at our worst when we try to impress.

That makes sense. I'm kind of a "Hey, look at me!" sort of person, regrettably. So just laying lower is probably a good thing...

[The Truth and Light]

Become a Buddhist. Or a Daoist. Something Asian. Then chill and go with the flow...

Changing religions or philosophies doesn't guarantee a personality or disposition change >_>

Yes it does. Have you ever knoticed how newly converted Christians are always overly happy?

[Buffett and Colbert]

Become a Buddhist.

I sort of have, already. I don't identify as one, though, since that would make me a pretty shitty Buddhist.

[Ceannairceach]

Changing religions or philosophies doesn't guarantee a personality or disposition change >_>

Yes it does. Have you ever knoticed how newly converted Christians are always overly happy?

No. When I converted to Mormonism, I fucking hated my existence. When I converted back to Episcopalianism, I felt neutral or worse.

[Georgism]

No. When I converted to Mormonism, I fucking hated my existence. When I converted back to Episcopalianism, I felt neutral or worse.

You were christian beforehand though, right?

That's your problem.

[The Truth and Light]

Become a Buddhist.

I sort of have, already. I don't identify as one, though, since that would make me a pretty shitty Buddhist.

Technically if you DO anything you're a shitty Buddhist.

[Ceannairceach]

No. When I converted to Mormonism, I fucking hated my existence. When I converted back to Episcopalianism, I felt neutral or worse.

You were christian beforehand though, right?

That's your problem.

Officially baptized Episcopal, family turned nondenominational, converted and baptized Mormon, changed to nondenominational again, then confirmed Episcopal. Now an atheist.

Maybe I just have problems...

[Mongolian Khanate]

You decide to be nice, and five to ten minutes later, you will encounter either the biggest douchebag in the Universe or the most brain-dead individual ever bred. Slowly but ineluctably, blood pressure will build up.

On a personal experience note, here's ZE thing that is sure to piss me off lightning fast:

You are at university/school/college. The course has started. The teacher does a (hopefully) short reminder of what was said last week. And... there he is... the little fat boy with large glasses that keeps raising his hand that shakes from eagerness to make a point at 8:40 in the morning because he just learnt about his new favorite political / economist author and now thinks it is imperative to share his ideas with all of us...

[Hegstoria]

Buffet, this is NSG we're talking about. No one on here knows how to be nice.

[Dumb Ideologies]

Why 'be nice'? People who talk crap deserve snide comments for opening their sewage pipe mouth without engaging brain first. As for 'arrogance', that accusation is frequently thrown around merely for having confidence in your own opinions and worldview and being willing to defend them. Sure, if it looks like you're wrong cede the point, but there's no need to go around hugging the safety blanket, constantly on the edge of tears at fear that a disagreement might break out.

[Buffett and Colbert]

Don't care so much. Someone will always think you are a jackass, even if you aren't. Roll with it.

Well... if someone thinks I'm a jackass, everyone thinks I'm a jackass. It reminds me of this little story. It's relevant, if you feel like reading it, I guess. I still can't seem to get past that mentality.

I personally find you funny.

Eh. Let me tell you what happens when I try and be funny.

My school recently hosted a Model United Nations conference, of which I was in a leadership position. We got complaints that certain chairs were being unfair, so I went in to sub for a while. The atmosphere was very tense, so I tried to lighten it up with some jokes along the way. Of course then I get grilled for being "unprofessional," "biased," and a host of other things.

[Zeth Rekia]

Turn that frown upside down Mr.Angry.

[Georgism]

Buffet, this is NSG we're talking about. No one on here knows how to be nice.

Fuck off you cunt, I'm always nice.

[Buffett and Colbert]

Why 'be nice'? People who talk crap deserve snide comments for opening their sewage pipe mouth. As for 'arrogance', that accusation is frequently thrown around merely for having confidence in your own opinions and worldview and being willing to defend them. Sure, if it looks like you're wrong cede the point, but there's no need to go around hugging the safety blanket, constantly on the edge of tears at fear that a disagreement might break out.

I still would like to project myself as someone nice to be friends with.

[Buffett and Colbert]

Buffet, this is NSG we're talking about. No one on here knows how to be nice.

Which is why I hesitated before clicking "submit."

[Dumb Ideologies]

Why 'be nice'? People who talk crap deserve snide comments for opening their sewage pipe mouth. As for 'arrogance', that accusation is frequently thrown around merely for having confidence in your own opinions and worldview and being willing to defend them. Sure, if it looks like you're wrong cede the point, but there's no need to go around hugging the safety blanket, constantly on the edge of tears at fear that a disagreement might break out.

I still would like to project myself as someone nice to be friends with.

It is possible to have friends without being a doormat. Indeed, many people with a whole bunch of friends are 'characters', shorthand for people with opinions and a backbone.

[New Imperial Clans]

Become a Buddhist.

I sort of have, already. I don't identify as one, though, since that would make me a pretty shitty Buddhist.

Not all Buddhism embraces the Zen "being/not doing" schtick. The Eightfold Path includes "doing" a lot of things, including entire sections that relate to volition and an impetus for proactive development, which is "doing" something even when people like to say its not to sound deep. Its central to many kinds of Buddhism.