... To ask people to be nice?

[MrsNutella]

Just that really. A bit of "do unto others as you would have done unto you" and my Mother's favourite "if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything"

It's just been swimming around my head today. A bit like paying it forward. If everyone took the time to try and do one nice thing for someone else, wouldn't that be something?

I think it's because the news seems so dark and sad and bad right now, I can't ignore the news but I'd sort of like to do something against that darkness... Does that make sense or sound like I am just a giant hippy?

I did something nice for a friend this week, it wasn't huge. Just a small thing. But it made me feel wonderful and it was something that meant a lot to her and she really appreciated it.

Sorry, I'm trying to keep up. But I'm a bit slow.

I understand what you're saying OP, but phrases like "My Mum always told me if you can't say something nice then say nothing", don't really always mean anything.

One person's polite but honest advice/point of view can often be taken the wrong way by someone else, depending on their mood. Some people take anything other than "There there hun", as the other person being unsupportive or not very nice.

When in actual fact, that 1 person's words can be 100x more helpful than 50 other people's "There there hun".

Hope that makes sense. It did in my head

thanks worra, you're right, basic manners are lacking with some people. it makes me laugh when someone bumps into my shop trolley then apologises, i usually smile and say "it's okay, the trolley didn't get hurt !" sometimes they get the joke or slink off probably thinking 'what a head case' !
someone apologised to me when i stood on their foot once by mistake ! i said sorry but was surprised all the same.

I get what you mean: if everybody did one deliberately kind act every day, life would be overall and generally nicer.
It does not mean 'be relentlessly nice ALL the fucking time-- (there's not enough gin in the world for that), but just make a conscious effort. To somebody who seems deserving of catching a break.

Random Acts of Kindness - I like this website.
There is a lovely thread on here somewhere (unless it died in Chat) about kind things random strangers did to various MNers.

So, YANBU, MrsN - but how could you be with 'Nutella' in your name?

If you can't say something nice, just don't be Katie Hopkins - that's what I tell my dd.

Lol guess I'm fucking invisible then OP. Thought you wanted to be nice?

Oh did the Op miss you? :(

OP, yes it would be lovely and sometimes we all need a reminder. Some people however will always be, well, knobs.

OP I think you are a thoughtful person and you don't have to apologise for a very simple but worthwhile outlook on life. One small gesture can make a big difference to someone else.

mrsfuzzy, I always apologise when someone bumps into me

So do I. I apologise to doors and all sorts too.

Samantha who?

Samantha?

^^ up there somewhere captain

No idea on Samantha but am now sorely tempted to get the jar of Nutella out!!!!!!

Morloth very true, whether it is good or bad news it has to be "news worthy"

sooty bigots certainly need more people to tell them they're bigots.

Buzzard i don't mean, be only nice and kind all the time. Just if more people didn't take unnecessary digs and were a little less spiteful for no good reason.

Ifdaryldieswariot

catmint thank you.

PD you're lovely anyway, so thank you. And nice link. Thank you for that too.

fastlove haha Katie Hopkins.... Making a career out of being mean. That's just madness really isn't it?

captain thank you. Sorry to make you reach for the Nutella.... I'm sure you wouldn't be interested in a Nutella mug cake recipe?

And sorry to all those who find me or my OP smug or patronising. I'm not telling anyone to have differently. I'm asking if we can. Hmmmm that's probably never going to come out exactly how I want it in words on a screen....

And DD is demanding my attention so I have to go. Sorry.

It's amazing how such a nice post can be misinterpreted. I suppose that answers your question OP. Some people always see the negative and are cynical of any genuine good. Nutella mug cake recipe? OOOOHHH YEEEES PLEEAASE!

Cynicalness makes me angry because it always feels like the people are being self righteousness grrrr.

Quite Nutella :)

Groundhog yes. Sometimes a reminder is nice. I think doing the thing for my friend and getting such a big reaction was my reminder. It is worthwhile to do something nice.

Captain click here at your peril.

Good night all. Sorry I haven't replied to everyone.

i'm cynical about some stuff but i respect other peoples right to choose and wouldn't press my ideas onto them saying that they are wrong.

Thankyou Mrs

I completely agree with you, OP. Human beings are social animals, designed to live in a group. Little, everyday acts of kindness and consideration between strangers (who have nothing to gain) give a sense of solidarity and strengthen the bonds between us. They are the opposite of the random nastiness and name-calling that sometimes occurs for various reasons (homophobia, racism, etc) and unite us rather than divide us.

captain wouldn't it be nice if we could all be less cynical? But does that leave the door open to naivety and being exploited? I wish it didn't but it suppose it does.

Caulk I am prone to being a whinge but I try and stop myself from being cynical....I'm no saint though and I cannot claim that I'm always nice.

fuzzy differences are often what make the world a colourful interesting place. I think a live and let live approach is a good one - unless I'm misreading your post. Sorry if I am.

captain use it wisely! it is good fresh out of the microwave with a dollop of vanilla ice cream

Better thank you. I think you're right about the feeling of solidarity. I think acts of genuine goodness do seem to touch more people in a profound way.