Line #23 Main/NiceGuy


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5	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hold-door-open-t15075_6264.jpg]]
6	[[caption-width-right:350:Why, thank you, friend!]]
7
8	->''"There's nothing to hate about Marianne. She's little and friendly and she will lend you anything."''
9	-->-- '''Jenny''', ''Literature/NothingsFairInFifthGrade''
10
11	The Nice Guy (or Girl) [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin is nice]]. If not necessarily an AllLovingHero, they're definitely not [[Main/SlidingScaleOfAntagonistVileness unpleasant]], [[{{Jerkass}} obnoxious]] or an [[TheCynic overly cynical]] ByronicHero and [[DarkerAndEdgier edgy]] {{rebel\|liousSpirit}}. These characters are kind, friendly, psychologically well-balanced, [[NeutralGood morally good and socially decent]] in most cases, and in short, someone anyone would genuinely like to be around and [[TheConfidant have as a friend]], which is often what they are to the hero and/or his extended cast. They won't engage in [[{{Jerkass}} jerk-like behavior]], but probably respond in kind to VitriolicBestBuds, and BewareTheNiceOnes is still absolutely to be considered.
12
13	If done right, it can demonstrate [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan why a guy has beautiful women attached to him: he really is a remarkably wonderful and compassionate person]]. Needless to say, [[BirdsOfAFeather she's very likely a Nice Girl herself]]. The Nice Guy can be engaging, likable or TheProtagonist; all it takes is giving them a personality outside of "nice" such as: a [[GentlemanAndAScholar scholarly refinement]], [[KnightInShiningArmor a chivalric attitude]], some engaging relationships, and a pinch of HiddenDepths. Having the right actor with the thespian skill to take those character qualities and wield them with charm and sincerity can help, which is how master actors like Creator/ChristopherReeve and Creator/ChrisEvans took archetypal {{Superhero}} paragons of pure goodness who superficially seemed bland and colorless, Film/{{Superman\|TheMovie}} and Captain America respectively, and made them compelling characters audiences loved.
14
15	Nor does it mean [[GoodIsNotSoft being nice means they're not tough]], or an IronWoobie. If [[BadassBookworm combat intellect]] or combat ability are involved, it's akin to ObfuscatingStupidity or CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass because you naturally ''expect'' the {{dark\|AndTroubledPast}}, tormented [[IWorkAlone loner]] to be rough and tough, and the nice guy to be a NonActionGuy. So, when it comes time for [[IAmNotLeftHanded "No more Mr. Nice Guy"]], [[BewareTheNiceOnes heads roll]]. On the other hand, with the AllOfTheOtherReindeer trope in play, the nice fellow can be a redeeming factor as a person whom the beleaguered hero realizes is on his side and who lets him know [[YouAreNotAlone he's not alone]]. (That is, unless the nice guy is the beleaguered hero; then he's screwed.)
16
17	Often, authors go the abbreviated route and give them a DarkAndTroubledPast triggered by a BerserkButton. Either way, you can expect their niceness to be ''[[BrokenHero in spite]]'' of whatever {{tragedy}} or drama is in their lives; kind of an equal and opposite reaction to it. If done too suddenly, it implies a level of secrecy and acting that a StepfordSmiler would be jealous of. When done well, a more troubled character will [[DontYouDarePityMe rebuff their advice or friendship]] with "What do you know? [[MiseryPoker You've never had X happen to you!]]" to his "[[FormerTeenRebel I did]]", thus revealing healed-over scars.
18
19	Furthermore, the Nice Guy trope can overlap with InnocentlyInsensitive, in which case the character can be just as insufferable at times as the JerkWithAHeartOfGold or even the {{Jerkass}}, but not at all mean-spirited like them. However, if the setting is comedic with many [[TheChewToy Chew Toys]] around, you can't always count on them to be the sympathetic ones.
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21	Another trait Nice Guys often exhibit is being EasilyImpressed. Most people like to be complimented or appreciated, so writers will often give the Nice Guy low standards to give a mediocre or upset character a boost in morale. Unfortunately, doing this will often make them [[FearlessFool incredibly reckless]] or [[SmallNameBigEgo inflate their ego a bit too much.]]
22
23	If the Nice Guy has a rougher JerkWithAHeartOfGold male character as his {{Foil}}, they're a NobleMaleRoguishMale or SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan duo.
24
25	Occasionally, however, the treatment goes the other way around: perhaps in a world set upon BlackAndGrayMorality or GreyAndGrayMorality, this Nice Guy actually stands out because he IS a Nice Guy. He doesn't have the excuse to be cynical or mean, nor does he need to have a tragic backstory. He's so nice, friendly and helpful... that he eventually becomes a fan-favorite due to how much he stands out amongst the more cynical cast members, like a refreshing breeze.
26
27	Contrary to the beliefs that NiceGuysFinishLast or AllGirlsWantBadBoys, a genuinely Nice Guy can indeed be considered very attractive in the romantic department by people who value his kindness: that's SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan. Conversely, the DoggedNiceGuy trope may be in play if he has UnrequitedLove, but note that that trope overlaps with people who act "nice" as a means to an end, which a real Nice Guy in ''this'' sense wouldn't do.
28
29	Usually, the result of UpbringingMakesTheHero. [[BewareTheNiceOnes Though, watch out]] if you've pressed his BerserkButton. Exact oppositions of this trope are: {{Jerkass}}, LackOfEmpathy, JerkWithAHeartOfJerk, and the CompleteMonster (extreme opposition). If the villain is a Nice Guy in spite of his evil deeds, then he qualifies as AffablyEvil.
30
31	SuperTrope to NiceJewishBoy, when the nice guy in question is, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Jewish]], to the delight of [[JewishMother potential Jewish mothers-in-law]]. See also AdaptationalNiceGuy. Nice Guys also tend to be {{Animal Lover}}s.
32
33	Fortunately, this one trope has many TruthInTelevision examples. So many, in fact, that [[Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease there's no need to list them here; thanks in advance.]]
34
35	'''Note:''' This trope refers to ''genuinely'' nice guys. If you're looking for the Internet definition of "Nice Guy," that's at WantsAPrizeForBasicDecency, EntitledToHaveYou, BitchInSheepsClothing, ExtremeDoormat, and some cases of DoggedNiceGuy.
36
37	On a D&D alignment chart, nice guys practically represent the NeutralGood alignment. Exceptions are if the guy is [[LawfulGood extremely respectful towards rules]], if he's kinda [[ChaoticGood undisciplined]], or, in ''very'' rare cases, if [[TrueNeutral he's polite and pleasant but actually amoral]] (or even AffablyEvil).
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39	[[noreallife]]
40	----
41	!!You're at the very most welcome to search these wonderful example subpages, my friend:
42
43	[[index]]
44	* NiceGuy/AnimeAndManga
45	** ''NiceGuy/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba''
46	** ''NiceGuy/HetaliaAxisPowers''
47	** ''NiceGuy/JoJosBizarreAdventure''
48	** ''NiceGuy/MyHeroAcademia''
49	** ''NiceGuy/{{Naruto}}''
50	** ''NiceGuy/{{Pokemon}}''
51	** ''NiceGuy/SailorMoon''
52	** ''NiceGuy/YamadaKunAndTheSevenWitches''
53	** ''NiceGuy/YuGiOh''
54	* NiceGuy/ComicBooks
55	** NiceGuy/TheDCU
56	** NiceGuy/MarvelUniverse
57	* NiceGuy/FanWorks
58	* NiceGuy/{{Film}}
59	* NiceGuy/{{Literature}}
60	* NiceGuy/LiveActionTV
61	* NiceGuy/{{Theatre}}
62	* NiceGuy/VideoGames
63	** ''NiceGuy/FireEmblem''
64	** ''NiceGuy/LonelyWolfTreat''
65	* NiceGuy/VisualNovels
66	* NiceGuy/{{Webcomics}}
67	* NiceGuy/WebOriginal
68	* NiceGuy/WesternAnimation
69	** ''NiceGuy/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''
70	** ''NiceGuy/TotalDrama''
71	* NiceGuy/OtherMedia
72	[[/index]]
73
74	----
75	->''[[SelfDemonstratingArticle We hope you enjoyed the article and have a nice day. You don't need to thank us, you're very welcome. Come back anytime!]]''
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Context Main / NiceGuy