I used to think that there were two types of nice people in the world: people born with a naturally kind soul, and those who are caffeinated.
But there are so many other types of nice people that we encounter on a daily basis—people who aren't only nice by their actions, but also by what they say and how they live.
There are five types of nice people that are the most memorable:
The person who holds open the door for you when they didn't need to.
There's something about a socially acceptable three-second waiting period when holding open a door for someone, but some people hold open doors regardless of if you're one foot away or five feet away. You go door-holders, and brownie points if you hold open the door for someone who's carrying coffee, textbooks, and a mid-life crisis all at the same time.
The person who laughs at your joke when it isn't funny.
When situations are awkward, cracking a joke that isn't funny can sometimes be the only option for an immediate ice breaker. Here's to the person who laughs at the jokes that aren't funny, whether they're being nice, or willing to offer up a laugh for the sake of a situation made less awkward.
The person who heard your question and repeats it louder for the group to hear.
When hanging out with a crowd, not everyone can be heard at the same time, but this is for the person who hears your question and blasts it out for the whole crowd to respond to. Kudos to all those human boom boxes out there willing to give their shy friends a voice in the crowd.
The friend who's pretended to be your significant other in an awkward situation.
Come creepers or family members asking, "So, are you still single?", this is the friend you like to have around to be a step-in significant other. Even though you have both set up residence in the friend zone in your relationship, it's nice to know that they're there for when people are persistent.
The person who helps you when gravity decides the day is going too smoothly for you.
We've all experienced the horror of tripping and falling in front of a crowd of people, whether it's falling down stairs or just going deciding to face plant the sidewalk, because gravity. Here's to the stranger or friend who catches the SOS look that you send them and comes to help pick up your books, bag, and you. Extra points to the friend who lays down next to you to make the fall seem like a casual decision to take a nap on the ground.
Thank you, nice people. Caffeinated or not, you help make the world 'go round.
