http://www.olaguez.net/87/being-likeable/ Digital-Talk: Forums, Reviews, & Fiction Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:12:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://www.olaguez.net/87/being-likeable/#comment-158 Kevin Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:45:42 +0000 http://www.olaguez.net/87/being-likeable/#comment-158 Our culture tends to emphasize being the smartest or the best at something and kind of forgets the value of being nice. I know I was always trying to be the smartest in school while I tried to be nice as well but nobody teaches you how to be nice, except by watching others as an example. Now as an adult, I have to watch my competitive tendencies as it's usually better in the long to be nice at work or play (tennis) and gain friends and allies than to be right and win but make enemies or lose friends. It's a tricky game as men are taught to compete while women who are taught to socialize and be helpful to those below them are much better at this than we are. Capitalism and Socialism work best when blended but it's hard to find that balance individually and collectively. Our culture tends to emphasize being the smartest or the best at something and kind of forgets the value of being nice. I know I was always trying to be the smartest in school while I tried to be nice as well but nobody teaches you how to be nice, except by watching others as an example. Now as an adult, I have to watch my competitive tendencies as it’s usually better in the long to be nice at work or play (tennis) and gain friends and allies than to be right and win but make enemies or lose friends. It’s a tricky game as men are taught to compete while women who are taught to socialize and be helpful to those below them are much better at this than we are. Capitalism and Socialism work best when blended but it’s hard to find that balance individually and collectively.

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