“Be kind” is total nonsense: I am lucky; I have actual good friends. I’ve seen”be kind” and the same people being judgmental as fuck 🤦‍♀️

[CathyTre]

Be kind 😂

Yanbu

Be kind now means do what you are told and don't whine even if its not in your best interests or even puts you in danger.

Said kindness never goes both ways either

Yanbu. A bunch of mums who I thought were my friends (or at least friendly acquaintances) all posted all the be kind stuff earlier in the year and then on the day I needed support the most (had had a car accident the day before) all completely froze me out at a soft play place (they had all arranged to go without me, I didn't know, took my son and his friend and when we spotted them I went and said hello and they just made it clear they didn't want to see me).

It doesn't exist. Someone I know was in bits with the Caroline Flack thing and be kind all over the shop. She is the most vindictive, hypocritical and judgemental person I have ever known. Its only kind when it goes one way with people like this

People who are already empathetic and kind hearted don't need to bleat meaningless platitudes, basically.

Be kind is usually posted on people's FB that in the next status are taking the piss out of their next victim.

YANBU, somebody at my work (she left thankfully) works voluntarily for an anti-bullying charity and yet at work, she went out of her way to exclude me. She was lovely to people she perceived to be high status and just iced anybody low status. But she was a ''be kind'' merchant.

The two people I've seen post the most #bekind shit are someone I went to school with who was a bully and is now into MLMs, and my aunt who has completely alienated most of the family with her narc behaviour.

Coincidentally they both also love those things like world mental health day and copying and pasting statuses like "if you're ever in trouble, my kettle is always on and I'm here to listen". It's all for show.

@NeverTwerkNaked

Yanbu. A bunch of mums who I thought were my friends (or at least friendly acquaintances) all posted all the be kind stuff earlier in the year and then on the day I needed support the most (had had a car accident the day before) all completely froze me out at a soft play place (they had all arranged to go without me, I didn't know, took my son and his friend and when we spotted them I went and said hello and they just made it clear they didn't want to see me).

''Freezing'' people is how adult bullying works. There is always plausible deniability.

There needs to be more advice that acknowledges that adults are too smart to do anything they can be held accountable for. Bullying in the real world is more usually like this.

I would say that people who take the "be kind" approach are not always kind, for sure.

However I also know people who say that who are sincere and try to be kind themselves. But typically they are not all that insightful. Often they don't deal well with people challenging their ideas and take it personally. Even if the challenge isn't directed to them at all, is part of a general conversation.

Yeah I hate this be kind shite. Usually said by the most unpleasant people

YANBU. Its the fb bullies who spout this most.

I hate these banners and silly slogans.

Someone asked me to display an “I’m against child cruelty” sticker in my window. She was a bit put out when I donated, but declined to use the sticker. Surely it’s a given that one is against child cruelty ?!

I agree that the “be kind” thing is often shorthand for “shut up - I don’t approve of this subject”. I’ve seen it on MN, used in rather a menacing way...

Yanbu it means "be kind" to them and don't challenge their shitty behaviour.

@BertieBotts

People who are already empathetic and kind hearted don't need to bleat meaningless platitudes, basically.

Absolutely. Posters who simply respond to threads with "be kind" aren't contributing anything useful and it's equally empty in life.

'Be kind' is nonsense, as people who use it mean be nice to them and their chosen ones but they refuse to 'be nice' to those who disagree with them and are very much NOT nice about it!

YANBU. I've often thought, when I've seen people post this on Facebook and the like, that they are talking about themselves, as in be kind to me. Often posted by people who refuse to be accountable for their own behaviour towards others.

I try to be kind to people.

I try to be kind always, and find it sad that we need to be reminded to "be kind". I agree with previous posters about the type of person who bleats about it on social media.

I think as a certain recent election result has shown; character matters.

''Be kind'' is just words, the actions of these people show their true character !

Yanbu, actions speak louder than words

Posting "be kind" on your social media is not the same as actually being kind.

I said this on the last thread about this be kind bollocks. It is another tool being used to try and shut women up. Have an opinion? Oh be kind. Disagree with someone? Be kind. I prefer two other words to be honest.

Maybe some people need reminding to be kind and maybe that’s the only contribution you can make on a thread if you don’t want to be dragged into it for reasons of time or emotional availability or whatever. Ask yourself why it makes you so angry.

‘Be kind’ is just a way to avoid being held accountable for one’s words and actions.

‘Don’t be a dick’ is the correct mantra! Doesn’t look as pretty on a T-shirt though I’m afraid.