all 68 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 51 points 2 months ago* (1 child)

Be kind to service workers.

Patience, thank yous, and trying to understand how to make their job easier (e.g. not waiting to look at the fast food menu until you're at the front).

Short, low stakes practice.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 18 points 2 months ago

    Also if they are struggling to figure out something(scanner not working, getting weird error due to network connection issues, trying to find an obscure option you requested etc) be quiet and let them work. Don't try to make small talk, let them concentrate on what they are doing.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 30 points 2 months ago (7 children)

    Be gentle with yourself. For example if you make an error, withhold calling yourself stupid, or think it. Reassure yourself that errors happen, and learn from it.

  • source
  • hideshow 7 child comments
  • [–] 18 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    One time I called myself stupid in front of a friend who without missing a beat said "don't say that about my friend!" in a super offended voice and I think about that all the time.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (3 children)

    This is so hard. I am doing all the other stuff regularly but this one will always be my nemesis.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    It's like a muscle, it gets better with practice.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    I have underlying issues that force me to sacrifice my mental health just to survive, and thus I lack the safety margin to be gentle to myself.

    I wanna get to a point where I can practice kindness on myself but I am not in a position where I can do so at this point.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 25 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (5 children)

    say thank you, please, and etc. basic manners and courtesy to others.

    It blows my mind that almost nobody does this anymore. I go to like coffee shops and stores and etc every other day, and basically nobody says this to sales people anymore. It's insane to me how objectively rude so many people are to other people who are helping them.

    it's so bad that it's gotten to the point i've had people tell me i'm wrong for saying these things to service people. becase 'it's their job you shouldn't have to thank them' etc.

  • source
  • hideshow 5 child comments
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago* (2 children)

    Ok I think people are not a bad person for not saying it but how does one even conceive that these words could be negative? Do the people who say this have some kind of superiority complex or are they trying to live out their dom fetish or something?

    I have never heard any worker from the service industry ever say they wanna hear less kind words. The fuck.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Superiority complex. “Why should I thank the lesser people for just doing what they’re told?”

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago*

    yep, bingo. people who say this have a massive superiority complexes and basically judge people's 'worth' as entirely their job title.

    they will basically only respect people who have high status jobs like doctor, and look down on everyone else. they also have a massively inflated sense of their own job's importance when most of the time they are just some middle manager in an office.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    On a first date, someone said I was so incredibly polite. I was like, all I do is say please and thank you because my mother taught me it's the right thing to do. She was responding to my placing an order at a coffee shop.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

    Same. Sooo many people are incredibly rude and entitled assholes and they see basic manners as weird or 'weak'.

    I have had many terrible rude dates tell me how being nice to the waiter makes me 'look weak'. It's so weird and pathetic, but that's how a lot of people view the work, like some savage competition.

    it's gotten so bad where i live that I'm like genuinely impressived if a date says thank you to someone else, and totally SHOCKED if they say it to me for buying them something. 10 years ago most of my dates were polite and would thank me for the date, now they basically tell me to fuck off at the end of it if they aren't into me.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 23 points 2 months ago

    Give genuine compliments to random people every time you can.

  • source
  • [–] 19 points 2 months ago

    I'm telling you, this works. Each day, pause to think of three things for which you are grateful. It can be big or small. Examples that I've used: that I got to spend the evening with a close friend who has a typically busy schedule, that I slept especially well the night before, that the book I was reading turned out to be a good one, etc.

    Sometimes it's something profound about how someone positively mentored me when I was younger. Or small stuff like knowing that there's a piece of cheesecake waiting for me in the fridge. The point is to do it every day. It's kinda awkward getting going, but then it becomes second nature and they come to mind effortlessly. I am convinced that it's made me a calmer, nicer, more understanding person.

  • source
  • [–] 19 points 2 months ago

    Im not sure if this will make you kinder but I find many many people skip very easy oportunities to make a small improvement in the world. These things are miniscule but they are things everyone can do all the time. Grab a cart from the lot if you pass one by that is not in a choral as you go to the store. Pick up litter that you pass by and toss or recycle it. I live in a condo complex and if my neighbor have packages that are easy enough to carry I bring them up and put it near their door and they actually now do the same for me. Not only a great convenience for us both but a great little human interaction for us both that makes us closer neighbors. Hold a door for someone, offer a seat on a train. Just keep in mind if you have an oportunity to do something that is scarcly and inconvenience for you but makes the world a better place. I would add smile when you see people. Be nice whenever you can and even return rudeness or such with strangers with kindness. You don't have to deal with their stuff every day so its easier to be pleasant and move on.

  • source
  • [–] 35 points 2 months ago (10 children)

    Leave a solid 1.5 to 2 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you while on the highway. When someone wants to merge into that space, let them and recreate the separation. It's a kindness not just to those who merge into the space, but to all drivers as it makes travel for everyone safer and lower stress.

  • source
  • hideshow 10 child comments
  • [–] 19 points 2 months ago* (7 children)

    it should be 1 car length per 10mph of speed. 2 car lengths isn't enough at highway speeds, it should be several, because as speeds increase your reaction time shortens and so does the force of impact

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 7 child comments
  • [–] 17 points 2 months ago (4 children)

    I was taught the 3 second rule. If you drive 3 seconds behind, the space will adjust to the speed.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (2 children)

    I was taught 2 seconds, interesting number to track.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    You're not wrong and good luck getting anyone to do that. Can you imagine how much easier/nicer/more efficent travel would be if people would do this?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago*

    I know. and sometimes... my passengers tell me off for 'being a pussy' for following it... because they are such shitty backseat drivers.

    like some people legit think tailgating is how you should drive... at all times and all speeds. same idiots who have massive accident rates and blame other drivers for 'being in the way'.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 14 points 2 months ago

    Pick up litter and dispose of it properly.

  • source
  • [–] 13 points 2 months ago*

    If you're asking, then you're probably on the way already. Mindfulness of the way other people feel (also known as empathy) is a massive part of being kind to other people.

    Simply live life knowing that everyone is their own person with an equally complex life as your's and treat them as you would like to be treated.

  • source
  • [–] 10 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Ask questions and don't assume you somehow know a person or their life better than they do. Nothing more annoying than a person attempting to "help" but ends up coming across as a condescending dismissive asshole.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 10 points 2 months ago

    Remember that every person you meet has their own life going on with their own stress and drama. It makes it easier to be kind to the ones who are not being kind to you. And doing this will help a lot of them to also be kinder to others. It's a positive feedback loop.

  • source
  • If I see someone wearing something I like, be it piercings, hair colour, earrings, etc., I will complement them. The smile on their face is worth it.

  • source
  • [–] 9 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Mindfulness. Note your behaviors. Note what leads to your behaviors. It'll give you insight into what in your life and in your mind leads to "kind" actions as well as what leads to "unkind" actions, which is a huge part of the effort to become more kind.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago*

    I wouldn't call it mindfulness because that has a weird spiritual undertone but I fully agree.

    I specifically wanna highlight that the most important actions of kindness are small things and whenever you remember to be kind you will automatically respond that way, because it will be your modus operandi in social interactions. It sounds cliche but the truth is if you prioritize it, it sticks in your mind and often those tiny interactions reflect what is important to you.

    That said of course this is not a substitute for taking the effort too. Sometimes it's annoying to say an extra phrase of kindness but it's important.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 8 points 2 months ago

    I have my own personal thoughts on this, so take this how you will.

    Think about times where you have been angry at how people miss handled situations with you and try not to put others in the same boat if you ever find yourself in a flipped position.

    Putting yourself in another person's shoes also helps. If somebody is doing something that you don't agree with but you might do if you were in the same situation as them, then you should probably cut them some slack or at least respond proportionately.

    A really big one was a lot of people is stress and having trouble dealing with their own problems. A lot of the time people will act much harsher and disregard others when they have tunnel vision from their own issues. Being aware of your own current mindset can be helpful for realizing that you might need to take a step back and breathe before committing an action or saying something that you might not mean later.

    It all basically comes down to the Golden rule and being aware that other people exist and have their own problems and perspectives.

  • source
  • [–] 8 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    I tell folks, "Be safe."

    Doesn't sound like much, but a lot of folks I say that too change their attitude to me if it's poor. They see I care about them enough to want them to be safe.

    Also asking everyone at drive thru before I take my order. "How are you doin' today?" Bonus points when they reply and ask how I am. I'll say "I'm alive n kickin'." Which if they say "that's good." Or something I reply "that's what they tell me, but I think they're lying."

    I have gotten so many laughs out of it. Folks just not excepting me to say it.

    And just being nice to anyone. Giving em the goddamn time of day.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago

    Someone brought this up in another current thread: consider your end goal. What result do you want from an interaction, and how can you act in a way most likely to make that happen?

    So often we react in an emotional way, and act like punishing someone else because they behaved inappropriately is the only just response. And i'm not saying you should ignore bad behavior or that no one should experience consequences for their actions. This advice is literally just to consider your options, to determine what course of action will most likely get what you desire rather than what feels good in the moment.

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago

    Whenever you have to interact with someone in fast food or retail say “thank you” afterwards.

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago

    For me recently, I had the realization that I had the possibility of being very gentle with someone who doesn't know something (even the smallest thing!). As a kid I've had a few traumas related to being shamed/pointed at for not knowing something and the fear of asking stuff is still present today. So I do my best to ease that for other people

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Do small, but good things, that nobody else sees. Pick up trash, fix something, let someone in front of you in traffic, smile and thank your cashier, hold a door for people, give a $5 bill of to an old person panhandling, etc. You will know you are doing positive stuff without credit, and you YOURSELF will recognize that you are a good person, and that will change how you want interact with everyone else. Eventually others will recognize it, too.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago (3 children)

    Paying anybody a small compliment is free.

  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago* (2 children)

    unless it's at work and they contact HR for harassment.

    my work has specific guidelines on what compliments are permissible in the workplace.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago

    Take extra time to consider other peoples' perspectives or take notice if they're acting different than usual. You might be able to make them smile when they need it, or understand their frustration a little better or even find a way to help them without them having to ask. Some people want help but don't know how to express it, so paying some extra attention can let you figure it out without making it seem like they're being needy or whatever.

  • source
  • [–] 12 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Offer blowjobs without asking anything in return.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 6 points 2 months ago

    When a stranger does something trivial that ticks you off just let it go

  • source
  • [–] 10 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    Put a toy inside of yourself.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago

    Say "hi" with a smile, to people you pass by, even if it's fake. The end results are the same to the recipients.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago

    Daily metta practice can be helpful.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago

    If you're having a bad day (like those days where you get up "on the wrong side of the bed" / you just can't get going), go out of your way to do something kind for someone. It's a kind of brain hack because your brain has trouble with the cognitive dissonance of "I feel terrible" and "I did this nice thing", so you will feel better after.

    Of course, you can also just do the nice thing whenever you see an opportunity. My general philosophy is that there are so many problems I can't do anything about, I try to never let a problem I can do something about go by. Even if it's just something small.

    Always go above and beyond to be nice to service workers. Even if they aren't helpful. Even if they are rude. I promise they had a worse day than you did. You can still ask for whatever you need, but do it politely. Don't raise your voice. If they are helpful, thank them, and if you can, say something nice about them to a manager.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 2 months ago

    For someone who is too far gone to be kind, staying away from other people is a great kindness.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 2 months ago

    If you see a nail on the road, pick it up

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Realize that we're only alive because of the sun. If it could, it would laugh at us for fighting each other.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    Not sure whether this fits here but I think first about this one Discord bot you can use to receive someone's vent and then helping them out with the problems they vent about.

    Should take only minutes to help one soul (you can help as much as you'd like with it though).

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments