Buzz
Over the past year, it has become increasingly apparent that people are struggling to treat each other with basic courtesy. These challenging times have made it difficult to maintain even simple gestures of politeness, like greeting a neighbor whose views you strongly oppose. However, it’s worth reconsidering the emphasis on niceness—because true kindness carries far greater significance, and the two are not interchangeable.
Last week, I stumbled upon this tweet, and as someone who has experienced life on both coasts, it brought a smile to my face:
After my initial amusement (imagining a stereotypical tough Philadelphian who might scold you for foolishly braving the cold without a coat, while simultaneously handing you his own), Jordan’s message lingered. Kindness doesn’t require niceness, and niceness doesn’t always equate to kindness. As they highlight, kindness focuses on addressing the need, regardless of how it’s delivered.
Ideally, combining kindness and niceness is the best approach. For instance, one could offer their coat without any harsh remarks. However, if the current climate has left us too drained to manage both, prioritizing kindness is the way to go.
Kindness is about actions, not just words. It’s quietly assisting a busy mother with her groceries instead of offering a quick, passing compliment. It’s delivering a homemade meal to a sick friend rather than just wishing them well. True kindness shows when you help a neighbor dig their car out of the snow, assist a stranger with a flat tire, or guide someone who’s lost—even if you’re not the type to say “Bless you” after a sneeze.
You might not feel like chatting with the neighbor who recently removed their controversial political sign, but if their trash cans are scattered by the wind, it’s a kind gesture to gather them back.
