VAQA: Why Should We Be Kind, But Not Nice?

by Ashley Volney, Marketing Assistant

“Do the best that you can in the place where you are, and be kind.” 

- Scott Nearing

Giving someone a heart-shaped box of chocolates could be considered nice, even if you ‘kindly’ test them out to see which are crème-filled and which are coconut. But giving someone your love and affection may be more of an act of kindness than just being nice with a gift of a half-eaten box of candy.

Well, the perceived need to be nice and being kind are more different than you might think. In a Huffington Post article, Marcia Sirota describes the difference.

“Kind people have good self-esteem and because they love themselves as much as they care about others, they expect to be treated with respect. Nice people are desperate for approval, so they're often mistreated or taken advantage of.”

Those who act nice may crave acceptance and acknowledgement that they gave their time and effort to another, seeking validation and self-worth from others. On the flip side, being kind is something that doesn’t need to be rewarded. When someone shows that they care just because, it gives us a sense of relief and happiness that someone else understood and made the effort to help. Those who are kind are not seeking validation from others, but rather from within themselves.

This Valentine’s Day, you don’t necessarily need to get all ooey-gooey with a dozen roses or a romantic bubble bath, but being kind can affect your overall self-confidence and how you view the world. And yes, being nice can be a good thing at times, but sometimes it’s better to give a little more without taking, and realize that kindness can reach even farther than Cupid’s arrow, every day.

So how does being kind apply to Vantage Agora? Members of our team are always willing to take that extra step, listen to your concerns and make sure that what we provide to you is giving your company the assurance and self-confidence to do your best. Being nice is an important part of any service company, but being kind helps us become the perfect match to your most critical business needs. This Valentine’s Day, be kind to yourself. Contact us today if you would like to learn how we can help you find that extra special service for the business of your dreams!

Happy Valentine’s Day!