Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think being a “nice guy” is often just repressed entitlement?

52 replies

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 11:55

They’re not nice - they’re just scared to be rejected, and when they are, it all comes out.

OP posts:
Oaktreet · 05/10/2025 12:23

If someone is "nice" and then feels that you owe them favours, disregarding your right to any choice then yes this is an entitled feeling that women "owe" you something. Sounds very incel.

mindutopia · 05/10/2025 12:24

Not at all. Surely, some people, including men, are just nice. 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you are past the age of 29 though, and this is in the context of dating, most men who are genuinely nice and wonderful are in committed long term relationships.

I met Dh when he was 21. He is genuinely very nice, completely lovely. There’s a reason he hasn’t been single and dating since 21 though. Because he is actually truly very nice.

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 12:24

AintNoPunshineWhenShesGone · 05/10/2025 12:13

So you've completely re-written it?

Might be better to scrap the thread and start one with an opening post containing the words you actually mean.

Unless of course you don't think it would be clickbait enough?

No I clarified it, which is exactly what discussion threads are for. Most posts get sharpened through conversation. It’s not about clickbait, it’s about a dynamic many women have experienced and named. If that makes some uncomfortable, that’s fine but it doesn’t make it untrue.

OP posts:
AintNoPunshineWhenShesGone · 05/10/2025 12:25

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 12:24

No I clarified it, which is exactly what discussion threads are for. Most posts get sharpened through conversation. It’s not about clickbait, it’s about a dynamic many women have experienced and named. If that makes some uncomfortable, that’s fine but it doesn’t make it untrue.

It doesn't make you come across as any less bigoted either.

But if you're happy with that, I suppose it's your thread.

MagicLoop · 05/10/2025 12:26

Well if you mean 'AIBU to think that a specific kind of entitled man who acts like a nice guy... is entitled', then obviously YANBU, because you are already specifying a subset of entitled, fake-nice men . But if you mean that men who are nice guys are entitled, then obviously YABU. So I guess what you meant was that some people only pretend to be nice. Well... yeah.

Stanlow · 05/10/2025 12:26

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 12:28

Swiftie1878 · 05/10/2025 12:14

Hmmm.. think you’re projecting a little?
Sorry you’ve had a tough time with relationships. Please be reassured that there are some genuinely nice guys out there. 🩵

Appreciate the reassurance but this isn’t about all men or whether “genuinely nice guys exist”, of course they do. I’m talking about a specific, recognisable dynamic that many women have clocked - men who call themselves “nice” but turn resentful when kindness doesn’t get them the outcome they feel owed.

Naming a pattern isn’t projection, it’s reflection. If it doesn’t apply to you or your circle, that’s great. But dismissing it doesn’t make it any less real for those who’ve lived it.

OP posts:
Theif · 05/10/2025 12:32

Its a bit of a follow on from "nice guys finish last" or the "nice guy never gets the girl. Just because you were nice to me doesn't entitle you to a date or sex.

Lurkingandlearning · 05/10/2025 12:41

I think you would be better off abandoning this thread and starting a new one bearing in mind @JHound post. Assuming you are referring to the type of man who feigns niceness to attract women but will react like a rabid dog if they are rejected.

Make that clear from the start. You’ll still get a lot of posts from people who don’t understand but that’s normal for mumsnet

Swiftie1878 · 05/10/2025 12:46

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 12:28

Appreciate the reassurance but this isn’t about all men or whether “genuinely nice guys exist”, of course they do. I’m talking about a specific, recognisable dynamic that many women have clocked - men who call themselves “nice” but turn resentful when kindness doesn’t get them the outcome they feel owed.

Naming a pattern isn’t projection, it’s reflection. If it doesn’t apply to you or your circle, that’s great. But dismissing it doesn’t make it any less real for those who’ve lived it.

Edited

Fair enough. I guess I was just hung up on the word ‘most’ in your OP, but tbf, you have clarified.
Again, I’m sorry you’ve experienced this. 🩵

Chiseltip · 05/10/2025 12:48

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 11:55

They’re not nice - they’re just scared to be rejected, and when they are, it all comes out.

What?

🙄

randomchap · 05/10/2025 12:49

Anyone who self describes themselves are inevitably not how they are described. Nice guys normally not nice, alpha males usually not that alpha, etc

dumberthanaboxofrocks · 05/10/2025 12:51

Ah, the self-professed kitten-kissers? I mean, there are a lot of nice men in the world, I went out with dozens, personally, married one and have great male mates. But come to think of it, no, I’ve not really met a genuinely deep-dyed nice guy who felt the need to wear it like a badge of honour. It’s a bit like claiming you’re funny. Show don’t tell.

Also, let’s have an honorable mention for the male feminists (who never, ever are). I do think some guys certainly appear to think if they put enough ‘common human decency’ tokens in the vending machine some sex ought to fall out. And they get aggrieved, just the same as the pricks, if it doesn’t. Possibly worse and while I also hate to agree with a sweeping generalisation for individual behaviour, yeah, I reckon it’s probably because maybe they feel they lack in other areas so being demonstrably nicer than the next dude seems the killer move. Then they get pissed off when that fails too. You could argue it’s societal and they’re victims of masculinity and all its attendant toxicity as well. I’ve heard ‘you can’t win.’ I can see how it might feel that way. Suppose it depends what winning looks like to them. If it’s obtaining free sex, then they’ve got a problem, as this thread somewhat shows.

Mutual respect and seeing wimmen as fully realised human beings with the right to not be interested no matter what was always a good place to start (and finish). Find a woman-respecter (clue: if it’s in their bio, then no). Best men I know don’t see women or sex as a challenge or a prize. Have female friends they don’t want to sleep with, are polite and decent to all. Even if they’re not a sexual prospect. Good clues. As an aside, I think some boys need help with not seeing women as alien beings, generally, and anecdotally it’s getting worse again. I am a bit worried for boys (and girls).

MemorableTrenchcoat · 05/10/2025 12:55

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 12:20

Fear or rejection is human but what I’m talking about it different. It’s when someone hides behind “niceness” not because they’re kind but because they expect sometime in return, like access, attention or romance, and get resentful when it doesn’t come. That’s not just fear of rejection, that’s transactional entitlement in disguise.

Men are driven to obtain sex/relationships and, if necessary, will modify or moderate their behaviour in order to achieve this. Women do something very similar. Surely this isn't news to you?

WrySilverDrake · 05/10/2025 13:03

MemorableTrenchcoat · 05/10/2025 12:55

Men are driven to obtain sex/relationships and, if necessary, will modify or moderate their behaviour in order to achieve this. Women do something very similar. Surely this isn't news to you?

Of course that’s not news, we all adapt to get what we want, to some extent. But the post isn’t about basic human motivation. It’s about how that motivation can masquerade as morality.

There’s a difference between “I like you and hope you’ll like me too” vs. “I’m performing niceness because I believe it entitles me to something.” When rejection leads to hostility, bitterness or shaming, that’s not just strategy, that’s entitlement dressed up as virtue.

Not saying all men (or women) do this but when it happens, it’s worth saying. That’s all.

OP posts:
MySaintedPuppy · 05/10/2025 13:33

Transactional is the right word. “I have accurately assessed my looks and my eligibility. You are single and score the same (or ideally slightly less, cos I’m nice enough to date down). I will court you, and you will fall into my arms.”

FKAT · 05/10/2025 13:38

Everyone knows what you mean about Nice Guys (tm) - not sure why you're getting so many disingenuous responses OP. YANBU.

That said, there's a thread on Feminism fawning over some telly bloke who wore a 'feminist' t-shirt and that's apparently what makes him an unimpeachable good guy. So maybe some women do still fall for the Nice Guy window dressing.

OutsideLookingOut · 05/10/2025 13:41

I know exactly what you mean, I think many women who have not dated in awhile (online dating) or not keeping up either modern trends like the red pill will have no idea what you are talking about though 😅

HerewardtheSleepy · 05/10/2025 13:43

That is a sweeping generalisation based on exactly zero evidence or data.

YABU.

BallerinaRadio · 05/10/2025 13:46

Brightbluesomething · 05/10/2025 12:06

Bit of a generalisation there.

They always are 🙄

FKAT · 05/10/2025 13:52

HerewardtheSleepy · 05/10/2025 13:43

That is a sweeping generalisation based on exactly zero evidence or data.

YABU.

The OP's experience is data.

JHound · 05/10/2025 16:22

MemorableTrenchcoat · 05/10/2025 12:55

Men are driven to obtain sex/relationships and, if necessary, will modify or moderate their behaviour in order to achieve this. Women do something very similar. Surely this isn't news to you?

This is gross behaviour whoever does it, It’s manipulative.

JHound · 05/10/2025 16:24

FKAT · 05/10/2025 13:38

Everyone knows what you mean about Nice Guys (tm) - not sure why you're getting so many disingenuous responses OP. YANBU.

That said, there's a thread on Feminism fawning over some telly bloke who wore a 'feminist' t-shirt and that's apparently what makes him an unimpeachable good guy. So maybe some women do still fall for the Nice Guy window dressing.

I used to think everybody knew what was meant by the term “NiceGuy (TM)”.

But I have seen enough of these posts on Mumsnet to know that many posters here are nit familiar with the concept.

CrimsonStoat · 05/10/2025 16:26

Lurkingandlearning · 05/10/2025 12:41

I think you would be better off abandoning this thread and starting a new one bearing in mind @JHound post. Assuming you are referring to the type of man who feigns niceness to attract women but will react like a rabid dog if they are rejected.

Make that clear from the start. You’ll still get a lot of posts from people who don’t understand but that’s normal for mumsnet

Edited

I agree with this.

Not making it clear that you meant NiceGuy(TM) means the entire thread is derailed pretty much from the start, which makes it pointless.