I'd rather be cool than nice.

I was waiting in line to purchase some dvds from one of those shops where you can sell your dvds and electricals for money, and as I was waiting a man walks in and hands his CV to one of the assistants. Thanks, she said. And then he left the shop.

She gives it to some man in the back but the door was open, so I could see clearly. Man-in-back looks inquisitive for a second. After the assistant and man-in-back exchange a few words, he slowly screws up the CV. I could see it in slow-motion as it happened, and then they started laughing joyfully.

How Nice, I thought to myself.

I remember when I was unemployed and looking for a job. I used to find it quite difficult going into places and handing in things and asking for things, but I did it. Most of the time. Quite often.....sometimes. I would catch the bus into town and get inside the place I was applying for and feel too distressed to hand it in and run back out again and just go home...

So what I'm saying is, that person didn't see you doing that, but it might have been an emotional hurdle doing so, and you doing that adds to the disheartening situation.

It seems some people gain much more satisfaction and pleasure from appearing clever and hip rather than friendly. They happily sacrifice niceness for the other.