The most recent post at Shapely Prose takes a look at the problem of the Nice Guy, and proposes that the Nice Guy and the Jerk are pretty much the same. Nice Guyness rests on the idea that if the guy in question acts [and sometimes it is an act] nice enough towards the woman he desires, then she in turn should recognize his efforts and reward him with what he wants–a chance, a date…
Yeah, read the post and some comments.
What is missing in the Jerk and the Nice Guy is the recognition of a woman as a whole person with the right to say no for any (or no) reason, with a life encompassing more than her potential romantic relationships.
I’m sure I’ve heard about another way.
In this context, a man who would follow God is called beyond [selfish, calculating] Niceness and into absolute purity. Treat women as mothers and sisters? Yeah, that changes things just a bit.
Not aiming this at anyone in particular. But I do have a son (who loves his sister and mother, so he’s off to a good start.) We’ll see how this goes.
