WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Word to the Wise: Awkward

Episode Date: March 4, 2025

 Don't be nice. Be kind

Hello, I'm Ariel McDowell here with a word to the wise. Let's transition as a society from insincere and awkward niceness towards down-to-earth unaffected kindness. As your friend, I'd rather feel comfortable around you than be incessantly complimented, agreed with fervently, or appeased in decision-making. I'm all for genuine goodwill, but you don't need to apologize to me six times as you'd gently ask if I could nudge my grocery card a few feet so you can grab Oreos? Have you noticed it's become a normal form of online humor to joke about being petrified during basic human interactions such as a phone call or a doctor's appointment to the point where it makes one socially incompetent? That kind of fear isn't the result of genuine thoughtfulness.

Genuine thoughtfulness concentrates on the welfare of the person you're talking to, not their perception of you. It's time for us to get over ourselves. A high-pitched people-pleasing manner of speech doesn't give you kindness bonus points, but authentic friendliness will. This has been a word to the wise, and I'm Ariel McDowell on Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM.