Nice is a word with many meanings—it can be gentle and friendly, ingratiating or conciliatory. It can also be mean, lewd, or wanton. But whatever the definition, it is always good to be nice.
Being a nice person obviously benefits those around you, but it can also help you feel happier and more connected. In fact, a recent study found that people reported greater happiness when engaging in kind behaviors than when they were focused on things like money and physical attractiveness.
People who are naturally nice are usually very empathetic, meaning they can put themselves in other people’s shoes and understand their feelings and experiences. This empathy is a powerful trait because it allows them to connect with others on a deeper level and provide genuine support and comfort.
But while being nice is a positive characteristic, it can have some negative side effects if it becomes more important than authenticity and honesty. This is particularly true if being nice comes at the expense of one’s own needs. When a person is constantly stuffing down their true thoughts and emotions, they can reach a breaking point. These repressed feelings can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, from outbursts of anger to irritability.
A big problem with being too nice is that it can create false facades and make people think they are better than they actually are. For example, when someone is too nice in the workplace, they may be seen as less ambitious or competent than their peers. They may also appear to be a pushover because they don’t stand up for themselves or express their opinions.
Another downside of being too nice is that it can make you more likely to get taken advantage of by those who are less benevolent. It can be easy to fall prey to the behavior of narcissists who only see kindness as a means to gain approval and attention. People who are naturally nice often have a warm and welcoming personality, which makes them ideal candidates for being narcissistic manipulators.
If you’re a naturally nice person, it’s a good idea to work on being more authentic and honest while still engaging in small acts of kindness. This can include things like passing the salt without being asked, offering to let a stranger hang their coat on your barstool, or letting someone merge in front of you. By making being nice a habit, you can become more intentional about how and when you act in a kind way—and it will also make the bigger gestures feel more natural and genuine.
Aside from being a great city for shopping and dining, Nice is home to two of the world’s greatest painters. The Musee Matisse, located in a 17th-century villa in the Cimiez neighborhood, features the largest collection of works by Henri Matisse. The museum is just steps away from the Arenes de Cimiez, a public park featuring Roman ruins including an amphitheater and bath complex.