Nice Guys is a rather derogatory term from social media towards a certain type of men. It refers to apparently nice men who hope to gain an advantage with women through their courteous behaviour.

Nice Guys: What’s behind them

While a “nice guy” used to be simply the nice guy next door, the meaning of the term has changed. On social media, Nice Guys is used more pejoratively.

• Nice Guys refers to men who are primarily very nice towards women but have a manipulative ulterior motive.
• They want to make themselves look extra good in front of women, be empathetic and accommodating, in return for sex as a reward.
• A popular strategy of the Nice Guys is to be there for women when they are suffering because of another man. You act as an emotional support and take advantage of the situation by expecting a “payment. “

Criticism of the Nice Guy Syndrome

There are many critics of the so-called Nice Guys, especially in the feminist scene. But also in the social networks the expression shoots against men who display seemingly nice but self-serving behaviour.

• Although dividing men into good or bad doesn’t work, Nice Guys see themselves as nice people and want to contrast with so-called alpha males or pick-up artists who only play with women.
• But the Nice Guys’ play is more subtle and on an emotional level. They approach a woman in a friendly way and yet aim for sexual favours. Feminists criticise Nice Guys for having a sexist image of women and for acting in a sneaky way.
• The idea that a woman should reward nice behaviour from a man with closeness or sexual favours is outdated and misogynistic. Sex should be consensual and arise from a desire, not a sense of guilt.