What are the subtle signs that someone is a genuinely good person? A recent Reddit thread on r/AskReddit posed this thought-provoking question, and the responses offer a treasure trove of small but powerful insights into human goodness. The thread quickly filled with heartfelt responses, highlighting quiet, everyday actions that often go unnoticed but speak volumes about a person's true character. These subtle signs might just make you rethink what it means to be ‘good.’
1. How they treat people who can do nothing for them
As Redditor jirennadir put it simply:
"How they treat people who can do nothing for them."
This sentiment was echoed by Bitter_Sense_5689, who elaborated:
"People who are kind to janitors, secretaries, and fast food workers are generally the people that you want by your side."
2. Humility in Accepting Help
A genuinely good person shows humility by accepting help when needed. This openness reflects emotional maturity and fosters trust.
"They don’t let pride get in the way of letting others lend a hand when they need it. It shows a level of trust and respect for others," shared u/helpinghandharry.
This openness to support creates a sense of mutual respect and collaboration.
3. Quiet acts of kindness
Genuinely good people often do good without seeking recognition. Redditor InsanelyEpicFrog captured this beautifully:
"They do something good without feeling the need to mention it to anyone."
octavia323 added:
"They don’t post about their kind acts or acts of service on social media to gain attention."
4. Taking the Time to Teach
Genuine goodness often shines through when someone goes out of their way to teach others without arrogance or condescension. It’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about doing so in a way that makes others feel empowered and valued.
"Someone who pauses to teach others without condescension is a rare kind of good," wrote u/patientprodigy.
This act of kindness demonstrates patience and a willingness to uplift others, qualities that often go unnoticed but have a profound impact.
5. Consistency, even when no one is watching
True goodness shows up when there’s no audience. As Ok-Double-7982 observed:
"They do the right thing even when no one is looking or may not notice."
These examples illustrate that true goodness is a reflection of character, often revealed in the smallest, most unexpected ways. The way we act when no one is looking can say more about us than any public display of virtue. But goodness isn’t only about how we treat people—it’s also about the way we interact with the world around us, including our furry friends.
6. Genuine kindness to animals
While goodness often focuses on how we treat each other, our interactions with animals can also reveal a great deal about our character.
Many Redditors pointed out that how someone treats animals can be a window into their character. Genuine kindness extends beyond humans—small gestures like rescuing a stray or being patient with a pet reveal a lot about someone's heart. These interactions often reflect a deep empathy that extends to all living beings.
"They’re kind to animals," wrote Redditor MiaLba.
7. Keeping their word, even with kids
Keeping promises—even small ones—matters more than people realize. As tracyvu89 pointed out:
"Keep their words even with kids."
Banana_Joe85 expanded on this:
"I try to never outright lie to them, keep my word to them, and always take their questions and concerns seriously."
8. Leaving a positive impression
Sometimes, goodness is as simple as making people feel comfortable. Frequent-Law8230 described it well:
"They leave you feeling good about yourself when they go."
9. Respect for others, no matter their status
It’s easy to show respect to those above us, but truly good people extend that same respect to everyone. Redditor Loud-Thanks7002 offered a humble example:
"They take the shopping cart back to the return area when they’re done. Or even a bigger sign—they take back a stray cart that isn’t theirs."
Whether it's returning a shopping cart or offering a warm smile to a stranger, these small gestures create a ripple effect of kindness that strengthens communities. It’s these thoughtful actions, no matter how small, that make a big impact.
10. Empathy in Conflict
How someone handles disagreements is a strong indicator of their character. As Redditor ancientevilvorsoason observed:
Goodness isn’t always loud or obvious—it thrives in the quiet, everyday moments where integrity and kindness shine through. All of these small yet powerful acts contribute to a kinder, more compassionate world.
Furry friends are importantRepresentative image via Canva
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.