It can be hard to bite your tongue and not give people who are rude a little bit of their own medicine, but I’ve discovered that it’s really just not worth it.
And who knows what they’re going through…
Maybe they’re struggling with a lot of things in their lives and they’re lashing out. I’m not excusing that kind of behavior, but it’s best to just be kind to everyone, no matter what.
Why do you choose to be kind to people even when they don’t do the same thing?
Let’s see what AskReddit users had to say about this.
1. Don’t have it in you.
“I just literally don’t have it in me to be mean or rude.
It’s not who I am.
That said, I have gone on a few rants at people who have treated me badly.
Alone, in my car…”
2. Worth it.
“Because I know how it feels when you’re down and your day/week/month/year just f**king sucks.
And if there’s a chance I can make just one person who feels like that have a better day and feel good for a bit, then it’s worth it.”
3. The easiest route.
“Kindness is the easiest route.
You won’t get caught up in drama, you avoid avoid fights, people are more apt to help you, etc.”
4. Good idea.
“I try not to reproduce behavior that I don’t like in other people.
Makes me like myself more.”
5. A good philosophy.
“I’m not especially strong or educated, I’m not particularly well off and I know I can get carried away and come off as annoying sometimes.
So if I can’t be strong or smart, socially adept or successful I can definitely be kind.”
6. Role models.
“Not everyone can be the next Albert Einstein or Carl Sagan, but we can all try to be like Mr. Rogers or Bob Ross.
Maybe not as well-known, but we have the potential to touch the lives around us for the better.”
7. Raise ’em right.
“I think a lot of it boils down to how you are raised, my dad came from an extremely loving family and my mum didn’t.
My dad will do anything for anyone and doesn’t expect something in return and is always pleasently surprised when they reciprocate because that’s how he was raised. My mum made the conscious decision that she would never be like her family and is right there with my dad.
They are both so supportive of me and my brother, and by extension all of our friends because they see anyone who is part of their life a family. Lost count of the amount of times growing up we had friends stay with us because they had fallen out with their own parents.
I try to do the same, and raise my girls the same.”
8. Do the right thing.
“I do it because it’s the right thing.
Not because I’m hoping for any return.”
9. Much happier.
“When people reciprocate it’s really lovely, but not expecting anything in return has made me a much happier person.
My life is not a bank account that I balance kindness for kindness; rather my life can be measured in the total kindness and joy and love I share with others. Trying to balance things IMO is where resentment grows.
That being said, I feel no obligation to be kind to people who are mean, unpleasant, violent etc. I’m not a moron, I’m nice. There’s a difference.”
10. Good deeds.
“I find if you expect the same energy you put out back you’ll be disappointed more often than not and it can actually end up being a bit of a downer.
Still acting kind but lowering the expectations gives you the freedom to just enjoy doing good deeds over seeking constant validation through them!”
11. Words to live by.
“I just think you shouldn’t make anyone else’s life harder than it already is.
“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh.”
12. Just do it.
“Something so simple and effortless as telling someone their shirt looks cool can honestly make a world of difference in someones day, so why not do it?”
Why do you choose to be kind to people?
Talk to us in the comments and let us know.
Thanks a lot!
