How to Be Nice to People

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Haven't you always wanted to be nice to people? To have them be nice back? Being nice is not difficult, but it needs some polishing for others to realize your effort. A smile on your face makes others smile also. A kind word to someone, or holding a door open to the person who is about to enter, is really easy to do, and in the long run will make you happy also.

Steps

1. Many books say that a smile to everybody you meet will urge the other person to smile back. A smile a day is the essential movement to niceness, and even if the girl is your worst enemy ever, muster a little smile and mutter a 'hi'. But don't do this in the morning if someone looks like they're half asleep, just nod to them unless they offer a response of their own.
   
2. Greet everybody you know, not only with that smile, but also a 'hello'. If you have the time, try to introduce yourself to everybody you meet and don't know yet. Chances are that one of the hundreds you get to know will become your best friend into your old age!
   
3. Get a conversation started. Talk about small stuff that you know the person would be interested in. If you don't know the other person well enought to know about their preferences, try to talk about things happening around you. (The meeting you've both been to an hour ago, the new guy in Math class, the fantastic new shoes your colleague has been wearing, etc.)
   
4. Try to compliment your new pal. But be careful, though, not to flatter them too much. Too much flattery can give the impression that you are sucking up to them, and especially if this new friend is a superior, they will think of you as a lapdog or butt-kisser.
   
5. Make arrangements to meet or talk almost every week. Remember to exchange contact methods. Get her email, grab his address, ask for their phone number. Don't leave without getting their personal info if you really like him/her! (However, if they balk at supplying contact information, do not harass them trying to get it. Be nice, smile, and offer to run into them again some day.)
   
6. Get them something nice once in a while. And for holidays or birthdays, buy something really special that you know s/he will really appreciate. It doesn't need to be something super expensive. A box of chocolates, a new notebook, if you really mean it, your friend will get the message and be nicer to you too.
   
7. Be polite to others. Help when needed, even to people you have never met before. That person might be lonely, and you may be the only one they have talked to that day. Imagine how happy they will be...and you will be happy also, knowing you have been nice to someone.
   
8. Don't curse. It projects an ugly image of you.
   
9. Be nice to "everyone", even those who have been nasty to you. Who knows? They might start being nice to you, too! And if they don't, at least you are being decent.
   
10. Do not hesitate to offer help. Especially to those who have a their arms full, children they are attending to, difficulty walking, or carrying heavy articles, etc. One day, you might be like them, and need help also.
    
11. Offer to help clean up after a party or a get-together. The host might be tired, and welcome your help.
    

Tips

• Be nice to others, and they will be nice to you!
  
• Not only will they be nice to you, be nicer than ever and you might even get a lifelong friend!
  

Warnings

• Don't be too friendly with people your personal instinct mistrusts. Chances are s/he isn't that trustworthy.
  
• Please don't make yourself too available, people will take advantage of you. Have your own standards and set boundaries, this way your integrity will remain intact and people will not be able to walk over you.
  
• Don't let anyone suck up to you, that will only make the person think you are treating them better than everyone else.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Be Nice
  
• How to Be Popular
  
• How to Be Good Looking
  
• How to Make Friends
  
• How to Become Sociable
  
• How to Be Stubborn
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be Nice to People. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.