Nice Guy

It always amazes me how easy it is to make things easier for yourself—to make things go better even in a bad situation.  And not only easier for yourself, but also easier for the other guy. 

 

It doesn’t take money to do so.  It doesn’t take nice clothes or a fancy car or a big house.  It doesn’t take a fit body or plastic surgery or a poster-boy/poster-girl face.  It doesn’t even take a good education (although if you are truly educated you will know how).  You don’t even have to be funny.

It takes an attitude (no, not that defiant in-your-face ‘attitude’); it simply takes a cheerful attitude, a pleasant demeanor, a smile, and a good word for others.  It takes less ‘me,’ and more ‘thee’.  It takes asking about them before (always before) telling about me. 

    

Here are a few ‘asking’ ideas, and a few ‘telling’ comments to get a conversation going or a relationship started off right or back on track if it is going wrong 

·               ‘It’s been so nice seeing you/hearing from you’ (if on the phone put a ‘smile in your  voice).

·               ‘That’s a great looking garden (or grandson or golf club, etc.) you have…’ and smile.

·               ‘How did you do on your. . . ?’ and smile.

·               ‘I remember the last time we . . . .’

·               ‘Tell me about your . . . .’

·               ‘Will you join me/help me/show me . . . ?’

Being a little human or a little vulnerable yourself never hurts if you want to be viewed as a ‘nice guy.’  It also never hurts to forgive someone or say ‘thank you,’ and mean it, and do it with a smile.  And it never hurts to serve someone.

If these ‘starters’ don’t give you a few ideas, or remind you of what you already know, then think of and study someone you know or know of who is an acknowledged nice person and try to emulate some of their qualities you admire.

Finally, if you can’t think of someone, how about the late actors Robin Williams, or Doris Day, or Julie Andrews, or golfer Matt Kutcher?  Surely you know someone out there –I’ve got several I work with, live with, worship with and so do you.

It wouldn’t hurt our world to have another ‘nice guy’ out there.  If you can learn to dance, or to play golf, or the piano, or to learn a few words in Spanish you can certainly learn to smile.  Look your friends (or wished-to-be friends) in the eye, ask, ‘How are you?’ and stay for the answer.