What does it mean to be nice?
So, I consider myself to be a nice person. I do.
But if I consider myself a nice person then you are wondering why I am asking this question. “Nice” has different levels.
Lately at work, I’ve been trying to re-evaluate what it is to be nice. I can work with pretty much anyone. If you have met some of the folks I’ve worked with before you would agree with me. LOL.
But being cordial and working with someone is kind of where I would like to draw the line. I don’t feel that I need to talk about vacation with you, talk about my marriage, talk about having kids, or anything else that is about my personal life. If we don’t like each other…if we only talk because of work, then I will smile and say hi to you in the hall, but I probably won’t ask “How are you?” Let alone any of those other things.
So why does it seem that people define “being nice” to co-workers to include this small talk? You don’t care, I don’t care, so lets not bother. Right?
And if you are someone I do talk to about any of those personal topics, then I consider you to be more than a co-worker. Maybe not a good friend I will grab a drink after work with, but I would help you if you needed it. So if you are going to be more than a co-worker then don’t stab me in the back.
And if I stop entertaining all these people and there need for information (or acting like they want to know) then am I not nice anymore?