Being nice and being a mensch
"She's such a nice person."
"Isn't that nice."
"What a nice guy."
Mr Decker my English teacher always told me that nice is not a very nice
adjective. I think he said it was a bit soft, weak or anaemic.
Like all good lessons, it has taken me 30 years for this to hit home in the
real world of people and relationships.
What is mostly 'nice' in people is not always real.
It is often the veneer on top. The superficial.
Nice people could also have the real depth that sits underneath, but not
necessarily.
I've found that nice people can be found lacking when a real test of character
comes along.
Conversely, the people who are not so nice, a bit rough around the edges and
not as polished, often shine brighter when their true mettle is tested.
The above may be too simple of course but then my take away is more profound.
When describing character, the word
mensch
is reserved for the special
people. The people who go way beyond just nice.
Nice is for everyone else. Those who are just, well, nice.
