Taking Back the Nice

To start the weekend off, I thought I'd give a small salute to the Nice People of the world. The word "nice" has gotten a bad reputation, often used in lieu of "okay," "boring," "bland," or "I don't really have anything else positive to say about it." TAKE BACK THE NICE! Nice is downright spectacular.

Cliche dictionary definition: Nice: adjective, nic·er, nic·est. 1.pleasing; agreeable; delightful. 2.amiably pleasant; kind. 3.characterized by, showing, or requiring great accuracy, precision, skill, tact, care, or delicacy. 4.showing or indicating very small differences; minutely accurate, as instruments. 6.having or showing delicate, accurate perception: a nice sense of color. 7.refined in manners, language, etc. 8.virtuous; respectable; decorous. 9.suitable or proper. 10.carefully neat in dress, habits, etc.

I've always been a staunch advocate of niceties, raised to believe every person (and animal) should be treated well and to make someone sad or uncomfortable is certainly the "ickiest" of feelings. No, nice guys don't finish last. When you are a decent person, reciprocation is practically inevitable. I've received overwhelming kindness from both loved ones and strangers these past few days, and I'm basking in the light of NICENESS.

I could write a whole thesis, "On Being Nice." I won't. So humor me. Here are a couple relevant links, an ode to being nice:

Be sure the watch the video above, found on youtube via Vaclav.

Lives- Nice Girls- NYTimes.com, by John Moe:

"I did not say what I wanted to say: “I think you’re really great because you give me hope that people will be nice to my daughter later on, and so this is a completely platonic thing and it’s O.K.!”"

On the financial and fun-times benefits of being nice, from myself:

"We were able to throw this prom for VERY little money. We can thank that to craftiness and friendliness. Being nice to people is cool to do and occasionally has its financial pay-offs. After being loyal patrons to our karaoke master, Mike at Crowne Karaoke, he volunteered to run the music at our prom for FREE! His newest karaoke venue, Gatherings, offered up their beautiful restaurant/rental space for payment merely in smiles. We returned the favor by cleaning up their space afterward and putting out tip jars for everyone."

Outfit, Friday:

Cardigan: Vintage, from Revival in Iowa City, $7.00

Top: Thrifted, $2.00

Belt: Vintage $.25

Jeans: Clearance rack at Target, $5.00

Shoes: Thrifted jazz-style work shoes, $4.00

Approximate Total: $18.25