What makes someone a genuinely good person? It's often not the grand gestures or public declarations of virtue—it’s the quieter moments, the ones no one’s watching, that reveal the most. Kindness and character are often found in the small decisions we make every day: how we treat others, how we show up, and how we behave when there’s nothing to gain.
In a recent conversation filled with personal stories and reflections, people shared the subtle ways they’ve recognized goodness in others. These aren’t loud or flashy traits—they’re quiet, powerful reminders of what it means to be decent and kind. Here are ten understated signs of genuine goodness.
1. How they treat people who can do nothing for them
One of the clearest signs of character is how someone treats those who aren’t in a position to offer them anything.
"How they treat people who can do nothing for them."
— jirennadir
Bitter_Sense_5689 added: "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
Good people know that accepting help is not weakness—it’s a form of trust. There’s dignity in allowing others to step in when you’re in need.
helpinghandharry shared: "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."
"They don’t let pride get in the way."
— helpinghandharry
3. Quiet acts of kindness
Doing something kind without broadcasting it? That’s a powerful sign of authenticity.
InsanelyEpicFrog noted: "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."
"They do something good and keep it to themselves."
— InsanelyEpicFrog
4. Taking the time to teach
Teaching with patience—not ego—is a special kind of kindness. It reflects humility, generosity, and care for others’ growth.
patientprodigy put it beautifully: "Someone who pauses to teach others without condescension is a rare kind of good."
5. Consistency, even when no one is watching
True integrity doesn’t change based on who’s around. Genuinely good people make the right choices, even when there’s no one there to applaud.
"They do the right thing even when no one is looking."
— Ok-Double-7982
6. Genuine kindness to animals
How someone treats animals—especially when there’s no audience—says a lot about their empathy.
MiaLba summed it up simply: "They’re kind to animals."
7. Keeping their word, even with kids
Honoring your promises to children shows not just responsibility, but deep respect. Kids notice when adults treat them with dignity.
tracyvu89 emphasized: "Keep their words even with kids."
Banana_Joe85 added: "I try to never outright lie to them, keep my word to them, and always take their questions and concerns seriously."
"Keep your word, even to kids."
— tracyvu89
8. Leaving a positive impression
Sometimes the subtlest sign of a good person is how you feel after spending time with them.
Frequent-Law8230 said it best: "They leave you feeling good about yourself when they go."
9. Respect for others, no matter their status
It’s not about grand gestures—it’s about small, thoughtful actions that show care for the community.
Loud-Thanks7002 offered this 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."
10. Empathy in conflict
Being wrong isn’t a character flaw—how you respond to it is what matters. The best people are open to learning, even in small disagreements.
"How they act to being wrong… If they learn from said mistakes."
— ancientevilvorsoason
These thoughtful reflections remind us that genuine goodness isn’t about showmanship. It’s found in humility, consistency, and how we treat others—especially when there’s nothing in it for us. In a world full of noise, these quiet acts of kindness are what truly resonate.
Want to make a difference? Start small. Return the cart. Offer a kind word. Keep your promises. That’s how good spreads.
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.