Why are some people nice?

Most people who are mean are usually very unhappy people. Feel sorry for them. The saying, "Misery loves company" goes well with these people. People who are nice tend to be more confident in themselves so they accept others and don't try to bring others down to make themselves feel better.

Other times, mean people have big egos--the opposite of poor self-esteem. They have too MUCH self-esteem and believe the world revolves (or should revolve) around them. They don't care how their behavior affects others so long as it benefits them.

Finally, very nice people who never get angry and "would give you the shirt off their back" aren't always necessarily more confident in themselves. They might actually be very insecure "people pleasers" who have few, if any, personal boundaries. These are the people who let others "walk all over them." Clinically, they're called co-dependents and are more likely to be in relationships with abusers, alcoholics, drug addicts and others with big psych. problems. That's because these super nice people gain a sort of "high" from being a "savior" to others. It helps them feel powerful and worthwhile, even when it hurts them.