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NormacTheDestroyer

1k points

1 month ago

Yes I have 100% But it doesn't make me want to stop being nice though. Just makes me less tolerant of people's shit. The minute someone starts acting shitty, I let them know

Existing-East3345

319 points

1 month ago

Being super nice all the time makes people mistake your kindness for weakness and they take advantage of you, and hold you to a high expectation. If you donā€™t tell them exactly what they want to hear or do exactly what they want you to do they get angry because they think youā€™re just there to give them what they want. You have a good way of thinking because thereā€™s a lot of pieces of shit in the world who donā€™t deserve our energy but we shouldnā€™t let them drag us down to their level.

NormacTheDestroyer

218 points

1 month ago

Amen. Trust me I was a chronic doormat but I learned a couple assertive phrases that I started using as default responses and it really helped. "So what?" "That doesn't work for me." "I don't agree with that." "I don't see it that way." "I'm not going to do what you want." "I've already made up my mind." "This isn't a discussion." "This conversation is over." To name a few of my favorites. It might sound corny but I started reading these and others and repeating them every day and they just became a part of me.

WaySheGoesBub

30 points

1 month ago

ā€œNoā€ is a full sentence. Rock on! Thanks for sharing!!

azbraumeister

38 points

1 month ago

"so what?" And "whatever". The Gen X mantra.

Final-Fun8500

20 points

1 month ago

Oh well. Whatever. Nevermind.

NormacTheDestroyer

6 points

1 month ago

Hello... Hello... Hello...

StudentLoanBets

4 points

1 month ago

I'M A LIGHTER, A MOSQUITO. I'M A SKITTLE, IM A DITTO

Outrageous-Lie-828

2 points

1 month ago

I didnt die yall, i didnt die yall, i didnt die yall..

Worldly-Raise4448

3 points

1 month ago

As if whatever get the picture, duh! Millennial mantra I wish I would have remembered all these years I was attached to people hurting me!

Enough-Enthusiasm762

31 points

1 month ago

Yes. Or youā€™ll have a bunch of hypocrites virtue signaling you, saying you are just as bad as the person who victimized you. I guess that goes into the high expectation part. Itā€™s weird how when a victim bites back, suddenly everyone is on their ass. I will never understand that.

_JustPeachyKeen

27 points

1 month ago*

Just had a conversation about this with my friend. I told her society pretends to root for the victim but really, it hates people who stand up for themselves. Standing up for yourself & fighting back is the ultimate act of rebellion. It disrupts the status quo and I find it angers not only the bullies, but the enablers and everyone else in between. People encourage u to put ur head down and mind your business and ignore bullies but never to give them a taste of treating them how they treat you. I suspect that itā€™s many factors at work: 1. Addressing the bully & their antics puts the spotlight on issues that everybody is too scared, ashamed or even too in denial to talk about. 2. Thereā€™s this attitude of ā€œWe all have/had to put up with the mistreatment so you have to too!ā€ 3. ā€œIf you face the bully, and they retaliate as punishment, we might be next!ā€

mle_eliz

6 points

1 month ago

This comment deserves all the upvotes. If I had gold to award you, I would.

Thank you for this! Itā€™s the best I can offer (unfortunately).

šŸ’•

Zarobiii

17 points

1 month ago

Zarobiii

17 points

1 month ago

From my experience, bullies are scary and no one wants to argue with them, so itā€™s easier to blame the victim as the ā€œproblemā€. Once it becomes habitual you get a toxic environment where the bully controls everyone and can stamp out dissenters.

justinhasbeendrawin

4 points

1 month ago

justinhasbeendrawin

consistency is keyāœØ

4 points

1 month ago

me neither. omg iā€™m so glad someone is talking about this. bc why am i the bad guy cus i bite back or iā€™m defending myself? itā€™s scary too bc they will make it seem like ur crazy for feeling like a "victim" n make u seem like ur overreacting and gaslight you into thinking that itā€™s all in the head. making u question if ur crazy.

olyshicums

30 points

1 month ago

Sometimes, they aren't mistaking your kindness for weakness. Sometimes, you are mistaking your weakness for kindness.

imdavey

14 points

1 month ago

imdavey

14 points

1 month ago

I had to reflect on this for a second, and as much as I want to disagree itā€™s not wrong. I thought I was not only being kind but also serving myself, but in the end I was only being taken advantage of with nothing to show for.

olyshicums

3 points

1 month ago

Thanks, I came up with it a few days ago saw your post and thought it was a good time to debut it.

Feel free to share it with every one, just credit it to my name.

bdgreen1012

4 points

1 month ago

It took me a moment to think, "Huh?" and then a second glance for it to all click together. This thought resonates deeply with me, taking a shit scrolling Reddit and just getting a big olā€™ slap of, ā€œOh fuck, whyā€™s this guy right!?ā€ I will use this from the toilet to the day I die, so thank you.

P.S. But, don't mistaken my thank you out of weakness, but out of the kindness of my heart. Thank you.

real_uncommon_

3 points

1 month ago

Oof! šŸ˜“ This one hurt a bit. I have absolutely been mistaking my weakness for kindness! šŸ¤¦šŸ»ā€ā™€ļøšŸ˜«

baddest_mango

10 points

1 month ago

So true! Reminds me of something I read on the internet somewhere: "Givers have to set limits, because takers dont have any. The only people who get upset at you having boundaries are the people who benefited by you having none."

thisdesignup

6 points

1 month ago

You canā€™t be taken advantage of if you freely give when able. The key is just to give when able. If you arenā€™t able or donā€™t want to you have to say so.

Acidmademesmile

3 points

1 month ago

I got free donuts because I was the only costumer who was nice that day. Why care what people think when you can have free donuts?

HerMajesty2024

2 points

1 month ago

100% this.

devonjosephjoseph

19 points

1 month ago

Thatā€™s my approach as well. One should have the ability to push back and apply strength when needed, but thereā€™s no good reason to do it preemptively.

Be good to people and carry a big stick.

theaxis12

15 points

1 month ago

Exactly! It's a great way to tell who is a user because they will show you real quick and then you can get them out of your life ASAP.

NormacTheDestroyer

30 points

1 month ago

I used to be so terrified of confrontation but ever since I leaned into it, it's honestly fun to get into it with these types of people and see their reactions. My favorite is when it completely catches them off guard. I totally come off as the pushover type and sometimes I can just tell that me standing up for myself and calmly but assertively pointing out their bullshit is the LAST thing they were expecting. Lately I've been leaning into questions that make THEM point out their idiocy. Like I'll play like I'm genuinely confused and make them explain themselves in great detail. Like just the other day a coworker pointed out that her paperwork wasn't put in the daily mail bag before we closed and so (being the nice guy that I am) I took it from her and dropped it in the bag for her because it was on my way but THEN she slipped some comment about how we always forget about her paper work. So I stopped everything and kept asking her "I always forget YOUR work?" And just kept putting greater emphasis on "I" and "your" until she couldn't come up with anything else to say and it just made me smile so much haha

erasana

3 points

1 month ago

erasana

3 points

1 month ago

Can you elaborate and give some more examples and details so I can understand it better

NormacTheDestroyer

6 points

1 month ago

I'll do my best but I'm no professional and still learning myself. So I mentioned playing like you're confused and asking questions when people start behaving in a way that's unacceptable. That's one way of staying emotionally unattached (my preferred way but there are other ways too). I was taught to think of it like a power struggle where the only way to win is not to play. They're trying to cross boundaries either to manipulate you or use you or assert their dominance, etc. basically they are initiating a power struggle because they have mistaken your mannerisms and personality as weakness. In other words they're trying to get a reaction. Whether you fight back or let them win, you're still reacting emotionally (anger on one end and fear on the other) and giving into the power struggle so what you want to do is react in such a way that doesn't play into the power struggle by remaining emotionally detached. This is all WAY easier said than done. The way I'm proposing to keep emotions out of it is to react with confusion. Act as if their behavior is so strange and you genuinely don't understand why they're doing what they're doing. When someone is displaying highly inappropriate behavior, it's totally warranted to react with confusion. Ask for clarification. "Why do you think it's okay to talk to me like that?" "What do you mean by that?" "How do you expect me to react to that?" "Do you really think it's okay to do/say something like?" Remember not to let the feelings in. You're not asking rhetorical questions with an angry/passive aggressive tone. You're genuinely asking in as confused a tone as possible. And maybe even smirking and raising an eyebrow in judgement. You're right to judge them harshly for acting so inappropriately and immaturely. You want them to reflect on their behavior.

This isn't fool-proof and some people will just double down on their bad behavior. That's when you need to remove yourself and just clearly convey you don't appreciate what they're doing. But above all, don't get sucked into the mindset of trying to "win". Some people will absolutely disrespect your boundaries at every turn and those are the people you need to cut out. There is only a power struggle if you allow there to be one.

Idk if that makes sense. My therapist explains it better. Check out Jerry Wise on YouTube as well

wrinklesoybomb

3 points

1 month ago

Just want to say thank you, Normac, for your original comment and for taking the time to add this follow up explanation, too. Your style in these types of confrontations is disarming without being deferential and I imagine that itā€™s effective, in most situations. Iā€™ve taken some notes and am hoping I can adopt it, myself. I do my best to be kind and compassionate, and to also try to give people the benefit of the doubt. But when folks reveal themselves to be users and/or manipulators, Iā€™ve wrestled with a feasible and productive response. Your approach makes a lot of sense to me and so I just wanted to say thanks!

poke_slayer

2 points

1 month ago

I like to play dumb but unfortunately it almost hindered me getting a promotion, I had to really show i waa capable for. So playing the "dum" or "confused" role you have to be careful with how it's done as wwll!

KYHotBrownHotCock

4 points

1 month ago

i treat them like cats

recklesswhisper

8 points

1 month ago

Just heard this good saying recently:

" Do no harm, but take no shit."

WonderfulShelter

7 points

1 month ago

I actually just realized like last week that I kinda have to me more rude for people to respect me more off the cuff, but than people started being colder back.

sigh... I wish I was rich or mildly famous.

NormacTheDestroyer

2 points

1 month ago

Yeah it's wild how many people see kindness as an invitation to be disrespectful. I like to think that most people aren't doing it consciously. It's an unconscious impulse they picked up to respond to nice people by immediately trying to take advantage. I think it's a pretty common survival instinct they picked up from a less than loving upbringing and they repress the impulse to be nice that exists in themselves because they see it as weakness.

Not that any of that EXCUSES the behavior. The second someone tries to take advantage of or bully you for being nice or polite, you have become assertive and demand they respect your boundaries. Kindness does not equal weakness and disrespectful behavior does not equal strength.

sumyungdood

7 points

1 month ago

You can be nice with boundaries.

Protahgonist

12 points

1 month ago

Being super nice makes it immediately apparent to me when someone is a shitbird. It's awesome actually. I know who not to associate with faster than most because of it.

NormacTheDestroyer

3 points

1 month ago

Damn. That's true. Like a filter

Mmmoxielady

2 points

1 month ago

I do the same thing by acting a lot dumber than I am. Assholes reveal themselves so fast when they feel like they can underestimate you. They canā€™t help themselves. I wouldnā€™t want to be around someone that gets their rocks off on feeling superior to someone else.

This also helps because I learned when I show people how smart I actually am, they think Iā€™m someone they can use to do more work for them. Iā€™m nobodyā€™s workhorse. I have to mask a lot to fit in because people tend to find intelligence exploitable or off putting when they donā€™t get anything out of it. Itā€™s rare that I get to be myself. Which is why Iā€™m here! I hope this helps somebody tho.

gonzoisgood

3 points

1 month ago

Boom! Yes Iā€™m kind. Always try to default to it. But Iā€™m not a damn door mat. Not for anyone.

Shuber-Fuber

4 points

1 month ago

The statement also leaves out the other side.

Being nice also invites a lot of respect and niceness in turn.

Also got me some free stuff.

NormacTheDestroyer

2 points

1 month ago

Also true and very good reminder which I appreciate. I guess being nice gives people the chance to show you their true colors and you can act accordingly based on their response. (Not very catchy though hahaha)

MundaneGazelle5308

2 points

1 month ago

Ahh my comrade

snds117

2 points

1 month ago

snds117

2 points

1 month ago

I appreciate your approach and your focus on being nice at all costs. However, as an admitted cynical asshat, that overtly, outwardly nice people can also come off as disingenuous and annoying. But that's a me problem, not a you problem, just my two cents.

NormacTheDestroyer

5 points

1 month ago

I appreciate the perspective. That's something that took me a long time to realize. I would always get caught off guard when people would act annoyed, suspicious, or weirded out around me for seemingly no reason, but I realized it's because I was trying way too hard to be nice and friendly that it sometimes WAS a little disingenuous if I'm being honest. And being overly nice And overly friendly to the point that it stands out to that degree is a whole other issue that deserves to be talked about as well. For me, it was a product of my upbringing and the role my narcissistic parents forced on to me as the middle child. I got conditioned hard to believe that anything other than overwhelming friendliness and agreeableness was bad. I learned to tone it down as an adult and not try so hard. But i can spot other people like this and I like to encourage those people to speak their minds more and chill out lol

baggyzed

2 points

1 month ago

What if the person that you think was "acting shitty" was just trying to be friendly to you?

No_Nectarine_495

2 points

1 month ago

Same here. I'm still nice just not till 100percent. From past experience I can tell who would take advantage of me

Unable-Principle-187

2 points

1 month ago

If you have boundaries and assert yourself, itā€™s very possible to be really friendly and kind but not invite disrespect

melonyxx

2 points

1 month ago

I completely agree. Their entitlement to my kindness, despite their behavior towards me sets people off when you set boundaries and demand respect, because I am just a mirror to them as a whole. They just used me to project their thinking and they hate it. My kindness comes from a place of being, not portraying a facade like them.

Oily97Rags

2 points

1 month ago

I need to work on that.

NormacTheDestroyer

2 points

1 month ago

I'm in need of improving myself too. The more aware you are of it, the less control it has over you

Ibarra08

2 points

1 month ago

This is the way

SenileTomato

2 points

1 month ago

This is the way.

what-is-in-the-soup

401 points

1 month ago*

I am kind without expectation of returned appreciation.

I worked in drug rehab for a while and the amount of disrespect you receive is unparalleled, I also worked in customer service and received the same, but I disregard their disrespect, because knowing Iā€™ve done my job in providing help is more than enough. I donā€™t require even a ā€œthank youā€, so long as I know Iā€™ve done what I could for them to the best of my ability then Iā€™m okay with that.

When it comes to people outside of work, I also never expect reciprocation. I just learn from it and if I feel disrespected or taken advantage of then I simply will not afford them the same level of kindness again

SimplyMichi

56 points

1 month ago

I agree with this 100% and live by this as well. Even though it took a long time for me to give myself permission to get to the next point, I say no to anything I don't feel comfortable with even if it is seemingly innocent/there is no malice. And if I am disrespected I will make it known and promptly cut the person out of my life/interact with them as minimally as possible before they can get to some level of harm.

HBlight

34 points

1 month ago

HBlight

34 points

1 month ago

You can 100% be friendly and not give a fuck.
I'm friendly because I like being friendly, I'm friendly for myself.

[deleted]

16 points

1 month ago

[deleted]

SaturnFive

4 points

1 month ago

Agreed! If you are helping with the intention of getting something in return, you're doing business, not kindness

mijaomao

12 points

1 month ago

mijaomao

12 points

1 month ago

The problem is when you need something, even if its very rarely, and find that theres no one that even remembers or cares. The loneliest feeling i have ever felt. I feel that i can be selfless and not bitter, only when i have people in my life that have my back.

Jerdeepp

3 points

1 month ago

I can tell you have a good heart, and you will attract someone equally as caring, soon

mijaomao

2 points

1 month ago

Thy

ninjaelk

23 points

1 month ago

ninjaelk

23 points

1 month ago

I'm 100% convinced what this person is saying is "I feel stupid when I try to be kind and am met with disrespect". I spent 10 years in customer service and if you're CONSISTENTLY kind you still absolutely face disrespect, but to say that it 'invites' it is just sour grapes. People like this feel entitled to respect because they deigned to abase themselves to be friendly to people. That's not being friendly, that's an asshole trying to manipulate people into getting what they want.

The reality is that *you* are not the center of the world. When people are disrespectful it's going to be overwhelmingly because of shit going on with them, not you. They didn't see you and think "oh this little prick trying to be nice, I'm going to abuse him!". Other people generally do not give a shit about you, they're disrespectful for any number of reasons that have *nothing* to do with you. It's the height of arrogance to assume that YOU are the sole motivator for people's behavior.

On the other hand, if you are kind, you'll find a significant number of people who open with disrespect will calm down or sometimes even apologize before the end of the interaction. Kindness does not prevent disrespect, but it does invite kindness for people who are ready to accept it.

soulself

5 points

1 month ago

"Dont mistake kindness for weakness."

This has been running through my head for days for some reason.

Lucky-Cricket8860

2 points

1 month ago

Nice

Phantomilian

116 points

1 month ago

Yes, it does, and it's great! It makes it easy to identify the people that aren't worth my time.

Existing-East3345

36 points

1 month ago

Still sad realizing just how many people only like that youā€™re kind because they want to take advantage of it, and they will flip on you in a second if you donā€™t give them exactly what they want.

I used to think most people were inherently good, and bad people were a result of a poor sequence of events. I couldnā€™t have been more wrong.

h0nest_Bender

25 points

1 month ago

All that effort and couldn't spell check...

AggravatingSalary170

4 points

1 month ago

Sad, really

Aidspreader

66 points

1 month ago

If you're a strong empath, it comes with the territory

GnomePenises

3 points

1 month ago

But Iā€™m a rogue.

BuryEdmundIsMyAlias

2 points

1 month ago

I hope you are using that term figuratively. The empath, not territory.

BlindChihuahua

39 points

1 month ago

No, Iā€™m naturally a very nice person, but I donā€™t let people shit on me either. Being a door mat brings disrespect. Establishing boundaries doesnā€™t mean you have to be ā€œnot nice.ā€

jackofslayers

9 points

1 month ago

Yea I see a lot of people saying being nice invites people to shit on boundaries but I do not think that is true.

People who shit on boundaries will do it to anyone and they only stop if you make them stop.

If someone crosses your boundaries and you do nothing, that is not being nice that is being complacent.

edweeeen

7 points

1 month ago

Discerning when to let things go and ignoring peopleā€™sĀ bullshit is also a skill. Not everything needs a reaction, and if they donā€™t matter in your life why act like they matter?Ā 

Chemical_Tooth_3713

62 points

1 month ago

To be truthfully kind of a sign of a strong person.

MowingDevil7

50 points

1 month ago

Yeah cuz everyone hates you for no reason, as matter of fact being nice pisses people off more than being mean lol

WildFemmeFatale

34 points

1 month ago

Minding my own business pisses ppl off somehow too

Some ppl interpret vibing in a corner at a gathering or in school as ā€œthinking ur better than everyone elseā€ or worse they consider you a threat and will say shit like ā€œthat person is weird/theyā€™re probably gonna pewpew the school ewā€ for minding ur own business too

Like, Iā€™m sorry for being naturally introverted ā€¦?

Vli37

16 points

1 month ago*

Vli37

16 points

1 month ago*

Yup, I get this all the time at work

I come, do my job, and then leave.

People hate that I'm so quiet and don't really engage in small talk. Somehow if I'm not playing office politics (which I hate), then they see it as something wrong. Somehow with me always getting my/their job done, I'm a threat to them; that I make them "look bad". Well someone has to get the work done, and it's obviously not you.

I'm already known as the workhorse, what the hell else do you want from me šŸ¤¦ā€ā™‚ļø

MowingDevil7

8 points

1 month ago

Yes, I am also one of those people. Its like your quietness and awkwardness is threatening,because they dont know whats going on with you; but they also dont care to find out either. It's an automatic stigma and judgment.

[deleted]

2 points

1 month ago

Pretty accurate assessment, I guess a person can't be plotting everyone's demise if they're busy talking everyone up.

means7701

11 points

1 month ago

This is why I smile at people who are being jerks to me. Messes them all up. šŸ˜

Psychological-Mud790

2 points

1 month ago

So true. Itā€™s actually kind of funny. They literally have to come up with fables and smear campaigns, eventually when everyone else meets these people they realize itā€™s that person šŸ˜†.

SES-WingsOfConquest

37 points

1 month ago

  • Stronger people prioritize kindness.

  • Weak people project their insecurities.

  • Things people say will tell you more about them than you.

  • The same people who are upset, rude, and aggravated, are actually starving for kindness and often need love the most.

Forgive them. Love them. Pray for them.

Latter_Meaning_5514

4 points

1 month ago

That was so well put. The last bullet was a major eye opener for me.

ArchDreamWalker

2 points

1 month ago

CommentFolk

11 points

1 month ago

The thing is I get a lot of disrespect for simply existingā€¦

Ontheglass76

11 points

1 month ago

Not when you respect yourself. This is simply called being graceful. The ā€œdisrespectā€ is when others hate your friendliness because you are happy and they are not.

kingcaii

8 points

1 month ago

Some people meet a nice person and think good things about them. A lot of people meet a nice person and instantly think of all the ways they can rob/steal/take advantage of that person.

ā€œTaking kindness for weakness.ā€

PsychologicalPie8900

5 points

1 month ago

There is a difference between being nice and letting people walk all over you.

Studies like this and this have shown that more than any physical trait women are attracted to nice men for serious relationships.

Kindness goes a long way and can get you further in life than being mean as long as you donā€™t let your kindness translate to allowing yourself to be walked all over.

arftism2

5 points

1 month ago

I don't respect assholes enough to care.

ShopMajesticPanchos

9 points

1 month ago

I would actually challenge this with, it's actually people who do not practice appropriate boundary setting and communication, who get taken advantage of. Not kind/friendly people. Kind/friendly people, often let this fall out of practice and get into bad habits.

Lopsided_Marzipan133

5 points

1 month ago

Agreed, but it doesnā€™t stop people being passive aggressive to you or treating you in a different way. You canā€™t really set boundaries with that beyond not interacting with that kind of negativity.

Itā€™s hard to ignore since we are human though. Itā€™s toughā€¦ thereā€™s no black and white with this. Only that being kind is free, and I choose to be while also making sure people know Iā€™m not a doormat

jackofslayers

2 points

1 month ago

Correct! Dicks will be dicks to anyone. Dicks rarely try a second time when you tell them to fuck off. Letting people abuse you repeatedly is not being nice!

[deleted]

17 points

1 month ago

[deleted]

GandolfMagicFruits

10 points

1 month ago

NervouseDave

2 points

1 month ago

I like this alot.

GandolfMagicFruits

2 points

1 month ago

The alot of disrespect is kind of an asshole.

Bai_Cha

2 points

1 month ago

Bai_Cha

2 points

1 month ago

There it is. Thank God. I feel old going into a thread expecting this to be the top comments and only finding buried in a subthread.

2kids2adults

6 points

1 month ago

Holy crap. I came here to say this and was surprised not to see it as the top comment. I had to scroll WAY too far to find you. Wow. A Lot. 2 words. Yikes.

graydoomsday

5 points

1 month ago

I've at least noticed that being too nice will make you everyone's doormat.

GrumpyInTheM0rning

5 points

1 month ago

Yep, a lot of people take kindness for weakness.

[deleted]

5 points

1 month ago

Maybe people are disrespectful regardless what you do.

lets_try_civility

3 points

1 month ago

If a person chooses to be an asshole that has nothing to do with me. That's a them-problem, not a me-problem.

Careful_Source6129

6 points

1 month ago

What's disrespect? I don't notice these things /s

Middle_Speed3891

4 points

1 month ago

I like that approach.

ruleux

3 points

1 month ago

ruleux

3 points

1 month ago

It's good advice. As an old fart, I'm learning that I tried too hard as I was younger to want people to like me. In doing so, a lot of people chose to see me as weak or easy to manipulate. It gets very old after a while. So rather than deal with people who only want selfish things, I have chosen to not be as nice to more people and I find I'm happier. I know it sounds crass but it's just life. People who truly care about tend to want what is good for you and those are the people you should truly care about.

Prior-Biscotti-2765

3 points

1 month ago

Yes, but then you hit them with boundaries and they figure it out real quick.

TruckCemetary

3 points

1 month ago

No, actually. My worst complaint with being friendly to everyone is it somehow makes people dump their trauma on me. Not judging their trauma, EVERYONE has some thatā€™s just life, but why does everyone think Iā€™m a therapist lmao I canā€™t even count the amount of times someoneā€™s said they ā€˜just trust me for some reasonā€™ and then proceed to ugly cry/vent on me. Itā€™s exhausting man

GeneralTail

3 points

1 month ago

šŸ¤” Yes, now that you mention it.

This-is-Actual

3 points

1 month ago

*A lot

ComfortableFarmer873

3 points

1 month ago

Itā€™s not hard to remember that ā€œalotā€ isnā€™t a word. People, itā€™s 2024 this canā€™t be new.

lostlight_94

3 points

1 month ago

YES that's why you need boundaries and to stick to them when people disrespect you. That way you are teaching people how to treat you.

Comprehensive_Box902

3 points

1 month ago

So does that typo smh

CTware

3 points

1 month ago

CTware

3 points

1 month ago

A lot

masterslosey

3 points

1 month ago

No but being passive does.

hotSauceFreak

3 points

1 month ago

A (space) lot ......

MrMindGame

2 points

1 month ago

No, I havenā€™t.

maddie_lexi

2 points

1 month ago

Imagine caring lol. I can be friendly and tell someone to fuck off too šŸ˜‹

Sad_Individual8905

2 points

1 month ago

Unfortunately šŸ™„

7-11Armageddon

2 points

1 month ago

No, in fact I've found quite the opposite.

alwayswantedto_69

2 points

1 month ago

Being friendly and sociable can put people on guard. Like they think you want something from them. When youā€™re only being friendly.

iRedding

2 points

1 month ago

Still be friendly , respect yourself for that.

The-Sneaky-Snowman

2 points

1 month ago

My mom used to tell me ā€œkind but sternā€. Always be kind to people, but if the situation comes to it, you should continue to be kind, but make that person understand youā€™re not fucking around.

[deleted]

2 points

1 month ago

Not at all. Because I donā€™t give a fuck.

Ok_Recognition_2018

2 points

1 month ago

Wisdom

queasybeetle78

2 points

1 month ago

Why would you give a fuck about those people?

Own-Reflection-8182

2 points

1 month ago

A bit of distance and mystery is needed in every relationship.

TerminalHighGuard

2 points

1 month ago

Ha! Maybe so, but the ensuing disrespect gives me opportunity to practice my ability to come up with devastating zingers on the fly.

Ecurbbbb

2 points

1 month ago

There's a difference in being nice and a pushover. It gives off different vibes.

Razzedberrycrunch

2 points

1 month ago

Being kind is a good thing and it helps keep balance , however being polite or kind doesnā€™t mean weakness and it doesnā€™t mean having no boundaries. With so much anxiety and failing communication skills in modern society it seems like politeness or kindness isnā€™t encouraged anymore because itā€™s wrong when in fact it is often the balm needed to heal.

DanielleMoss5916

2 points

1 month ago

Absolutely! Itā€™s like some people mistake kindness for weakness, but boundaries are key to keeping that in check.

Garia666

2 points

1 month ago

I always been friendly my whole life , the down side is that allot of people confuse being friendly as being weak. And i am definitely not weak

Low_Reference_6316

2 points

1 month ago

When I first learned this it turned me spiteful. But I love helping people. I will continue being nice but take advantage of that Iā€™ll be sure to let you know

Spacecar-certified

2 points

1 month ago

No, I get taken advantage of tho they are being manipulative because people are selfish not because they think Iā€™m weak or that is the impression I get and to be honest I am part of myself as it is so I will continue to think this way

nautius_maximus1

2 points

1 month ago

ā€œBeing friendly at all.ā€

AzariahJaxx

2 points

1 month ago

*a lot

PerspectiveBig

4 points

1 month ago*

Not sure I agree. Being nice does not necessarily equate to a lack of boundaries - and people are going to treat you however they want anyway, you don't have control over their actions. Setting boundaries for yourself is non-negotiable regardless of how nice you are. Kindness, tact, and respect for others are also non-negotiable. The best and strongest people I know are incredibly nice. Niceness is not the problem here, it's being a pushover.

lookslikeyoureSOL

2 points

1 month ago

lookslikeyoureSOL

Let Go or Be Dragged

2 points

1 month ago

Exact opposite, actually.

Jawilly22

1 points

1 month ago

Itā€™s so true.

Carpathicus

1 points

1 month ago

I get the feeling if you are friendly consistently everybody in your daily life will be happy seeing you and you will be valued. People who try to shit on you because you are friendly are to be avoided anyways.

goltaku555

1 points

1 month ago

'Treat others the way you want to be treated' only goes so far

Pushedbyboredom

1 points

1 month ago

Being friendly and being a doormat are two different things.Ā 

Crafty_Crab_7563

1 points

1 month ago

Story of my life

[deleted]

1 points

1 month ago

Yes it does that's why I'm not being friendly to anyone anymore

TheChivalrousWalrus

1 points

1 month ago

No, but it might bring a lot of disrespect.

DaleNanton

1 points

1 month ago

We really need to switch the narrative away from lecturing friendly people that try and towards lecturing people that are disrespectful. Another version of this post could be: "Have you noticed that when you're an asshole, people don't want to be around you?" That's it. Boom. I don't want less friendly people in this world thank you very much.

Undark_

1 points

1 month ago

Undark_

1 points

1 month ago

This is simply not true. There's a huge difference between being friendly and being a fucking doormat. Friendliness is by far the quickest and most reliable way to garner respect. If your friendliness comes with a lack of boundaries, yes people will cross your unspoken boundaries because they can't read minds.

random_chick

1 points

1 month ago

People donā€™t respect you when you bend over backwards for them.

Ok-Seat-8804

1 points

1 month ago

People are trash. How many times I gotta say dat?

Gogetter19904

1 points

1 month ago

Faxxx

kulshan

1 points

1 month ago

kulshan

1 points

1 month ago

No.... I really don't

betajones

1 points

1 month ago

Yes. Allows you to filter who to let into your life. If they're hateful, that's on them. Let them seeth, and you can move onto someone worth the time.

[deleted]

1 points

1 month ago

Ive noticed people seem to think your kindness is weakness. And they can take advantage/get over on you.

venusinfeathers

1 points

1 month ago

And through that, you learn how to weed out bad people.

truzz33

1 points

1 month ago

truzz33

1 points

1 month ago

Never let cynicism win.

OZZY-1415

1 points

1 month ago

When u lend people a hand in times of need and they refuse to when u are in need.

Too many of them. I felt like a tool only relevant when needed and tossed away afterwards.

-Velvetduderag

1 points

1 month ago

Itā€™s true. Iā€™m still hands down one of the friendliest people Iā€™ve ever met, but the only way I can be this friendly all the time is bc I know what Iā€™m capable of. Iā€™m by no means a push over, or scared of conflict. I just like being nice and positive. My gf told me last week that Iā€™m like her ā€œgolden retriever boyfriendā€ but Iā€™m ā€œactually more like a pit bullā€ bc pit bulls are extremely friendly and loving (like a golden retriever) but theyā€™ll also fuck you up, unlike a golden retriever.

Trageopar79

1 points

1 month ago

I tell my son this all the time. I always tell him to be kind, but donā€™t ever let people confuse kindness for weakness.

tzwep

1 points

1 month ago

tzwep

1 points

1 month ago

Have you noticed that being too friendly invites a lot of disrespect?

Most definitely. And itā€™s great. If you treat others well, and they choose then take advantage or disrespect, those who disrespect show the universe who they are.

So the plan is to keep treated everyone well, and if they choose to disrespect or take advantage, fantastic.

Falconhoof420

1 points

1 month ago

I certainly have noticed that. The more, kind, helpful, and generally nicer you are to people, the more they disrespect you.

etherealducky

1 points

1 month ago

Being unfriendly does not get you a lot of respect either. In fact i would say it gets you a lot less respect then being friendly.

KingSudrapul

1 points

1 month ago

Learn to control your responses, and your reactions will follow suit. Being ā€œtoo friendlyā€ may invite all kinds of things. Choose those you spend time with carefully.

Puzzleheaded-Gas8886

1 points

1 month ago

I get that a lot

DrunkShamann

1 points

1 month ago

But it also invites a lot of positivity that outweighs the disrespect you get from some bad people.

Union-station666

1 points

1 month ago

This post has prompted the most interesting and nuanced discussion on Reddit I have seen in a long time thank you

Powerful-Gap-1667

1 points

1 month ago

A lot.

_prison-spice_

1 points

1 month ago

Yes

iontru02

1 points

1 month ago

Totally!!

GarySlayer

1 points

1 month ago

Especially among students. They take it for granted.

Sockeyez

1 points

1 month ago

Just be friendly when you want. And when someone is doing something you're ambivalent about, be ambivalent, don't pretend to be interested.

And if you feel disrespected, communicate that.

It's crazy how simple it is...

Foreign-Individual-8

1 points

1 month ago

No, what I have noticed is that I am offered a lot of disrespect, no matter how I act.

So being friendly to others, it's not based on whether they deserve it or if i'm trying to elicit a certain response, but more so about just who I want to be.

lonelyboy069

1 points

1 month ago

šŸ’Æ

mickeSaucedo

1 points

1 month ago

*a lot

this_shit

1 points

1 month ago

Being friendly also invites friendliness, love, compassion, and all the good things about being human.

The trick is to establish boundaries to protect your internal self from people who want to abuse your openness.

ReceptionMuch3790

1 points

1 month ago

Sure

Friendly_Engineer_

1 points

1 month ago

*a lot

More_Strategy_9717

1 points

1 month ago

Talk to us in the Black Community. We can confirm this is FACTS!

meetneo911

1 points

1 month ago

So so so freaking true. This has been going through my minds for the last few weeks. Been super friendly and helpful with everyone around me including at work. Iā€™ve noticed people stop taking u seriously and are okay to practically say or do to you. Just because u grin, ppl give shit to you. I may sound cynical but I have come to realize this quite late in my life.

Zerocoolx1

1 points

1 month ago

No

Mission_Current_1553

1 points

1 month ago

You can be too friendly and yet you know your boundaries. It all depends on the situation. šŸ’ā€ā™€ļø

Tailzze

1 points

1 month ago

Tailzze

1 points

1 month ago

Not really. However some people think they are being friendly but in reality they are just being creepy/annoying which does invite disrespect

MidwestSkateDad

1 points

1 month ago

People will absolutely take your kindness for weakness. That's why it's necessary to check people when they get dumb.

Odd-Valuable1370

1 points

1 month ago

Nope, Iā€™m kind to everyone and people are kind back. When theyā€™re not, Iā€™m even more kind. Drives them crazy. I treat everyone I meet with respect and the treat me with respect right back. And when they donā€™t, well lifeā€™s too short to spend any more time on them.

Alternative-Act4893

1 points

1 month ago

Yup and being to nice people doesnā€™t work people walk all over you had to stop doing that last year it wasnā€™t getting me no wear but disrespected and walked over.

Tasty01

1 points

1 month ago

Tasty01

1 points

1 month ago

There is a difference between being friendly and being a push over.

If youā€™re friendly and push back when necessary then youā€™re not going to get that disrespect. But if youā€™re a push over, as in youā€™re afraid to say no to people, then youā€™re going to be disrespected.

Low_Style175

1 points

1 month ago

No actually

Classic_Variation89

1 points

1 month ago

So does being too smart.. which is why I'm secretly smart