Being nice Quote by Paul Bloom
“It would be nice if everybody who had something interesting to say about my work could say it politely and civilly, but it doesn't work that way... Sometimes people are just really nasty.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
People often fail to give constructive feedback, opting for harshness instead of civility.
In simple terms: Politeness is rare in criticism.
Seek respectful dialogue.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- workplace reviews
- academic critique
- online comments
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we encourage civil critique?
- What triggers nastiness in feedback?
Politeness may not be realistic in high‑stakes environments.