Nice…

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘nice’? Close your eyes…picture the things that come to mind when you think of ‘nice’…

(Note: The French city of Nice is not counted.)

What images came to mind? Lying down on a warm, soft, fluffy comforter? Listening to the rain come down outside, and seeing raindrops run down your window pane, while you are warm and dry at home? A cute kitten/puppy playing with a ball of yarn or toy bone? A sunny beach with palm trees swaying, and a warm breeze blowing? The smell of your favourite meal/dish being prepared, and then being served in front of you? Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens? Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens? Brown paper packages tied up with strings? Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels? Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles? Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings? Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes? Snowflakes that stay on your nose and eyelashes? Silver white winters that melt into Spring? Are these a few of my favourite things?

Next question…how many times have you heard the word ‘nice’ being used? It is increasingly becoming a nonsensical non-word. I mean, it is just so generic, and doesn’t say much. I am becoming increasingly annoyed by the use of the word as a reply, when you ask someone a question.

How’s the food at the new restaurant? Nice.
How was the movie you watched last night? Nice.
How was the song we heard earlier? Nice.
How was the weather in Paris? Nice.
How is your new neighbourhood? Nice.
How are you new colleagues? Nice.
How did the wine taste? Nice.
What is the square root of ‘pi’? Nice.

Heck, everything is ‘nice’! It’s as if the person doesn’t bother to think before answering, and just resorts to the time-honoured cop-out term…’nice’. There are so many ways to describe the taste, smell, feel, sight, and sound of things around us…why can’t people just take the trouble, and take some time to describe it a little more, and the effect it had on them?

Either that, or they just don’t feel like talking to you.

Hmmm…maybe that’s why…

Anyhow, try it. The next time someone asks you a question about something, answer with something other than ‘nice’. It will add a whole new dimension to your life.