Today is my 35th birthday. Yes, I know. I’m getting old. Today, lots of people wished me happy birthday. Some called me. Some wrote on my wall on Facebook. I got lots of emails. And I pretty sure I’ll get some nice comments after this post. But that’s not the point. I want to write on being nice to others.
I’ve noticed something really common in Mauritius. As soon as someone becomes someone important, he/she stops being nice to others. This is especially noticeable in politicians who are generally nice persons when they start their political career but who quickly become arrogant as soon as they are in power. This is also visible in big organisations and big companies where the middle and top managers don’t even acknowledge the presence of cleaners for instance.
Personally, I always try to be nice to everyone: from the lowly cleaner to the big boss. And, there is one thing I’ve noticed: people love it when one is nice to them. And they tend to be sympathetic and helpful afterwards…
Keep this in mind when you need something from someone.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Add comments
September 26th, 2008 at 03:01
You’re so right. The correlation between snob and hierarchy cannot be denied. However, there is hope that the act of being nice still exist. It’s scary that being nice is an art which is on the same path to extinction, as chivalry is.
Anyway, happy birthday
May you live for many more years while being happy and in good health, surrounded by people who love, and care for you. Be blessed.
September 26th, 2008 at 06:30
I feel that people are nicer now compared to before.
This is perhaps due to us having less “differences” now. Maybe the Internet, social networks, blogs and the mobile phone will have (or already have had) profound influence on the way we treat each other.
Anway, thanks a lot for the birthday wishes
September 26th, 2008 at 06:58
i cant seem to find u on facebook tho i had u in my friend :S
happy birthday btw
September 26th, 2008 at 09:29
i guess its common.. noticed it at uom also..
anyway always be nice and don’t expect anything back instead, we shouldn’t actually be nice to someone because we might have something to gain or might need their help soon.
politicians are generally nice persons!!! lol
September 26th, 2008 at 11:40
Now it is not too nice qualifying the cleaner as “lowly”, is it?
BTW, happy birthday.
Eddy (…is really nice)
September 26th, 2008 at 11:42
Also… Whoa, the ads!
Eddy.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:22
Hi Eddy,
Concerning the cleaners (at the UoM if you really want to know
), I felt sorry for them. Many academics don’t even bother looking at them and wouldn’t dream of saying “Hello” to them. I found this very disturbing. Maybe you’re right to scold me for calling them lowly but I couldn’t find another word to express this behaviour.
As for the ads, I’m experiment with different Web 2.0 monetisation techniques
September 26th, 2008 at 13:14
@Avinash - I know, I’m just pulling your leg
Eddy.
September 26th, 2008 at 13:30
Happy birthday Mr avinash
wish you loads of happiness and success throughout your life 
September 26th, 2008 at 18:11
Happy birthday buddy.
September 26th, 2008 at 19:39
Many happy belated birthday.
True, its sad that managers are not nice to cleaners. A simple “bonjour” would increase their credibility.
Keep it up: being nice with others! its healthy
September 26th, 2008 at 20:18
Happy Birthday Mr. Avinash
(just being nice…) LOL
September 26th, 2008 at 21:01
hello Sir!
Happy Birthday!..my best wishes 2 u..
regarding zis post of urs, i very much agree wiv wat u said except 4 z last line, i.e “Keep this in mind when you need something from someone”…is it zat u mean we shud be nice only hypocritically!!..i believe zat wen one is being nice, he/she shud feel it!..only zen, zat person will hav z taste of true happiness on wat it is 2 be nice!
September 26th, 2008 at 21:26
Hapi bday dude!!
September 26th, 2008 at 23:01
Thanks to all of you.
To aks: People tend to help if you’re nice to them. So better be nice than sorry. I didn’t mean that you should be a hypocrite. More precisely, I am advising people to use some psychology and common sense when interacting with others.
September 27th, 2008 at 01:06
Do no evil. Ha!
September 27th, 2008 at 14:00
Happy Birthday Mr Avinash.
September 28th, 2008 at 06:35
Just passing around, and Happy birthday, may you live till your death :))
September 28th, 2008 at 08:08
Hi Razvi,
Thanks. I do really hope to live till my death… around 2100 say
September 28th, 2008 at 10:50
Happy Birthday Avinash.
Two people gave me advice on being 35:
1. You’re not allowed to use a semicolon until you’re 35.
2. Before 35, you take in from the world, after 35, you give out.
Have fun, the best part of your life is now here!
ak //(I turned 35 two months ago)
September 28th, 2008 at 11:01
On “niceness levels”…
I’d make distinctions between “nice” and “good”. A “good” person is not necessarily “nice” but can be “nice” when the situation warrants it. I’d sooner see a fair, respectful person than a “Minnesota Nice” person. Which I think is what you mean.
ak
September 28th, 2008 at 18:51
Well everybody is wishing you happy birthday so let me wish you my deepest sympathies :-), you’re getting old
As regards to being nice to people I think we should have a simple rule and that is “Treat others as you’d like to be treated by them”.
Raj
September 28th, 2008 at 22:09
Thanks Alam, I didn’t know about Minnesota nice…
Raj is absolutely spot on about “Treat others as you’d like to be treated by them.” This has been my way of doing things for years now (those who know me personally will, I hope, confirm
)
In our era of intense individualism, I want to say that being nice to (and respectful of) others and being honest, however old-fashioned this may seem, are the best ways to live a happy life where people have respect and consideration for you.
I sound like an old guy but, as Alam wrote above, I am 35, and like all 35-above, I want to give more than take
September 28th, 2008 at 22:38
Happy Belated Birthday!
Missed it out this year
but still my best wishes go to you and may your plans for future be successful 
Cheers!!!
September 28th, 2008 at 23:40
Thanks Souraksha
September 29th, 2008 at 20:08
happy birthday dude :p, sorry for late wishing :p [been trying to stay away from the net ].
:p as for the snob part.. lmao some people have that tagged on your back :p [well.. i just happenned to have heard that once ]..hahahahahaha
Btw… 35 years old means you’ve ended the “adult” part of your life, you are now officially OLD hag, i hope that you really managed to celebrate the last day of your adult life :p.. got drunk, high [till you don't understand anything], and everything.. hope you did all that :p and had no regrets.
September 29th, 2008 at 21:06
the disadvantages of being nice is very vast, the most common disadvantage is that being too nice people start to take you for granted, so it is important to be VERY bad and evil to people who are not nice vis-a-vis, :p the right to get the niceness is not free :p, people should equally be nice so as one can be nice with them :p.
So you should feel free to be evil once a while :p [to those who deserves.. and its de-stressful :p]
September 29th, 2008 at 21:41
I agree 100% Selven. You NEED to be mean to assholes! Or else, où va le monde?
October 1st, 2008 at 08:01
Belated Happy Birthday Mr. Avinash
“Nice” is a funny word, yet it can make a great deal of difference to anyone in your surrounding. We all possess the power of being nice to others. But normally, the humans nowadays are nicer to strangers as compared to the level of niceness towards closed ones or relatives. It might not be the case for you though.
My only advice would be: Be nice to only those who deserve being treated nicely. Because you are the only one who suffers while being nice to those who treat you like “objects taken for granted”.
Cheers
Chaya