History Main / GoodIsNotNice

AffablyEvil is when a villain is polite, friendly and genuinely kind, even while plotting evil. Good Is Not Nice is the inverse of that: characters who are morally slanted toward the good side but are rude, unfriendly, and mean.

They [[ThouShaltNotKill never kill anyone if they can help it]], nor would they allow people to come to any sort of harm by ignoring them. They are always willing to go out of their ways [[IncorruptiblePurePureness to save the town and complete strangers]]. When the call comes, [[ResignedToTheCall they will answer it, usually with little protest]]. They often help people in need with little promise of reward. In almost every way, they act like {{ideal hero}}es.

Except that they are [[IWorkAlone asocial]] and sometimes [[SociopathicHero downright insulting toward most people they meet]]. They [[FigureItOutYourself may refuse to explain]] ''anything''. They may also actively rebuke people who express [[ThinkNothingOfIt gratitude]], [[ThePowerOfFriendship friendship]], [[ThePowerOfLove love]], and/or [[DontYouDarePityMe offers of support when they are faced with problems]].

* BrutalHonesty: A character tells the truth no matter how uncomfortable it sounds.

* CompassionateCritic: Being critical of others because you want them to succeed.

* CruelToBeKind: A hero's horrible action is really a kind act.
* CynicalMentor: A mentor who doesn't care much about the hero, but mentors them anyways.
* DarkShepherd: Where a character produces moral behavior on others through threats of punishments.

* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: When a character helps another character out of a [[HeroicBSOD depressed state]] by usually hitting them.
* GodIsDispleased: A benevolent deity withdraws their protection of mortals over a slight.

* HolyIsNotSafe: Holy powers are usually good yet just as unpleasant as evil powers.

* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: These kind of heroes use torture on people for information.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Some of these heroes have a soft side when the chips are down.
* KindRestraints: A character restricts another character in order to prevent them from harming themselves or others.
* KnightInSourArmor: A cynical and sarcastic (and sometimes openly misanthropic) character, surrounded by a [[CrapSackWorld cruel and brutal world]], but still continues to do good deeds, not in the hope of changing something, but simply because it is right.

* NobleBigot: Holds prejudiced beliefs, but tries to be a good person.

* PayEvilUntoEvil: Not all good guys are fond of [[TurnTheOtherCheek turning the other cheek]], for they are more than willing to repay villains with evil acts.
* PercussivePrevention: Physically attacking someone to get them to safety.
* PerpetualFrowner: To show how mean and unfriendly the hero is, they are always seen frowning or scowling.

* ShootTheDog: Where a hero does a "not nice" deed because it needs to be done.

* SmitingEvilFeelsGood: It isn't nice to feel satisfied of punishing evil.

* SparedButNotForgiven: The hero won't punish you, but he won't forgive you either.

* KickTheSonOfABitch: When the hero's cruel act isn't that bad because the one receiving it isn't sympathetic.

* TricksterMentor: They troll others, sometimes to the point of coming of as antagonizing to teach a lesson.

* TricksterMentor: They trolls others, sometimes to the point of coming of as antagonizing to teach a lesson.

* TricksterMentor: They trolls others, sometimes to the point of coming of as antagonizing to prove a point and teach a lesson.

* TricksterMentor: They trolls others, sometimes to the point of coming of as antagonizing to prove a point and/or to teach teach a lesson.

* TricksterMentor: This type of character trolls others, sometimes to the point of coming of as antagonizing to prove a point and/or to teach teach a lesson.

* TricksterMentor

* HairTriggerTemper: A hotheaded hero has a bad temper, but is still good to the core. Relates to the trope above.

* GrumpyBear: A mean-spirited hero wears JadeColoredGlasses while living in a rose-colored environment, and is usually TheCynic.

Note that when handled well, this can create an interesting, complex character. When done poorly, you can end up with serious MoralDissonance, a DesignatedHero and/or even an UnintentionallyUnsympathetic character.

Except that they are [[IWorkAlone asocial]] and sometimes [[SociopathicHero downright abusive toward most people they meet]]. They [[FigureItOutYourself may refuse to explain]] ''anything''. They may also actively rebuke people who express [[ThinkNothingOfIt gratitude]], [[ThePowerOfFriendship friendship]], [[ThePowerOfLove love]], and/or [[DontYouDarePityMe offers of support when they are faced with problems]].

* CaptainSmoothAndSergeantRough: The Sergeant Rough.

* RefuseToRescueTheDisliked: These heroes won't be willing to save those who isn't deserving of it.

* RudeHeroNiceSidekick: The hero is horribly rude, but his sidekick isn't.

* ReformedButNotTamed: A character changes to the alignment of good, but not their bad attitude or behavior.

* GoodIsNotNice/{{Other}}

See also AffablyEvil, a trope that could be called "Evil Is Not Mean." Contrast both with FauxAffablyEvil, for when the villain is a far bigger asshole than any hero under this trope while acting nice.

LawfulGood versions of this trope may be strict, humorless and serious. In other cases, they will put more emphasis on "Lawful" than "Good". Very common personality flaw for ThePaladin. ChaoticGood versions will often see politeness and good manners as useless rules and are only concerned about doing good.

* CruelToBeKind: A horrible action is really a kind act.

* ForgivenButNotForgotten: Forgiving others doesn't equate the character to be nice about it.

* PayEvilUntoEvil: What isn't nice about the hero is their tendency to repay villains with evil acts.

** This will often be because they are genuinely very experienced or competent at what they do. As a result, they never want to be in situations where they have to take orders from anyone else, because they believe that other people are less likely to have successful strategies, or be able to carry them out.

This trope can also mean "Aggressively Good".

This trope could also mean "Aggressively Good".

* RedEyesTakeWarning: If they are the good guys.

* ToughLove: Treating other characters harshly as a means to better them.