This past winter, I had an internship in New York City with a non-profit organization that brings arts programs into NYC public and private schools. I commuted into the city Monday through Friday, traveling on the train by myself, taking the subway, etc. Going into this situation, I was scared out of my mind! Living the life of a "grown-up" was a daunting task. What happened during my time traveling in and out of the city? I discovered what a difference being NICE makes in your daily life.
By the end of my 7 week internship, I got so tired of seeing the rush of black coats just brush past me in the train station. People gave dirty looks when you bumped into them and apologized, people gave dirty looks when you offered to let them go through the turnstile before you, people were just miserable all of the time! It got to a point where I was becoming just as miserable, and was shocked to hear someone even say "Gazuntite" to a fellow passenger on the train.
One day I left work early because I didn't feel well and was folded over onto my lap while sitting on the subway. Imagine my surprise when the small woman sitting next to me actually asked if I was all right! And before we got off of the train, she turned around and told me to have a good day. It may seem silly, but this is one of the nicest interactions I've ever had with another person. She cared about someone else besides herself, unlike so many of those other anonymous faces who had passed by me that afternoon, and her concern was genuinely touching.
New York City is a big and scary place, and it has taught me to be a nicer person. So tomorrow, why don't you try smiling at someone as you pass them on your way out the door? Or telling the cashier at the grocery store to have a nice day? I guarantee that it'll make them feel good, and it'll make you feel even better.
Being nice is underrated.
Small gestures can mean the world to someone. While we might all complain about the annoyances in our lives, the things we remember years later are those moments of kindness. One of my favorite memories is a cab driver who saved me in Italy when I was stranded with no money. He had no reason to help this poor, idiot American, but he did.
They really can. It's the simple pleasures in life that make it great, you know? That's a really sweet story to hear. For some reason, I can't imagine too many New York City cabbies pulling over to rescue a stranded tourist, ha. But you never know! In my effort to be a nicer person, I'm trying not to underestimate everyone else's capacity for generosity.
As silly as it seems, I think that niceness might have a little to do with what side of the country you're in. I grew up in the northwest and it's the norm to start a conversation with a cashier, or smile at the people in the elevator, not to mention thanking people when they hold doors open, and returning the favor. Recently, my brother moved to Boston. One of the biggest differences he found was that people didn't smile at each other, they walked around looking at their feet. There were no "excuse me"s when people bumped into each other. It makes me wonder where the difference comes from.
You know, I've heard and experienced the exact same thing. I go to school in the east and all the kids I've met from the Mid-West are so much more laid-back and, in general, nicer people to be around. A little stereotypical? Maybe...but not exactly the worst stereotype to be cast in!
I don't know.
...I'm an east coast gal, born and bred, and I DO look at my feet when I walk...Hmm.
Haha =)
That people were nicer. I work a miserable retail job, and the minute someone is actually nice to me, or gives me a compliment, something as small as asking me how my day is or telling me my hair looks cute, it really can lift my spirits, and give me a good rest of the day.
Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.
My boyfriend works in retail and says the exact same thing. Since he started working this specific job, he always makes a point of telling anyone he buys something from to have a nice day, like when he buys a drink from the dollar store. Working retail is tough, because you have to deal with so many people who don't really seem to have any manners. It's shocking, sometimes.
...personally it takes me so much more energy to be mean than to be nice. And being mean puts me in a bad mood.