History Main / NiceGuy

The Nice Guy (or Girl) [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin is nice]]. If necessarily AllLovingHero, they're definitely not [[Main/SlidingScaleOfAntagonistVileness unpleasant]], [[{{Jerkass}} obnoxious]] or an [[TheCynic overly cynical]] ByronicHero and [[DarkerAndEdgier edgy]] {{rebel|liousSpirit}}. These characters are kind, friendly, psychologically well-balanced, [[NeutralGood morally good and socially decent]] in most cases, and in short, someone anyone would genuinely like to be around and [[TheConfidant have as a friend]], which is often what they are to the hero and/or his extended cast. He won't engage in [[{{Jerkass}} jerk-like behavior]], but probably responds in kind to VitriolicBestBuds, and BewareTheNiceOnes is still absolutely to be considered.

-->-- '''Jenny,''' ''Literature/NothingsFairInFifthGrade''

The Nice Guy (or Girl) [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin is nice]]. Not that he'll necessarily be an AllLovingHero, but he's definitely not [[Main/SlidingScaleOfAntagonistVileness unpleasant]], [[{{Jerkass}} obnoxious]] or an [[TheCynic overly cynical]] ByronicHero [[DarkerAndEdgier edgy]] {{rebel|liousSpirit}}. These characters are kind, friendly, psychologically well-balanced, [[NeutralGood morally good and socially decent]] in most cases, and in short, someone anyone would genuinely like to be around and [[TheConfidant have as a friend]], which is often what they are to the hero and/or his extended cast. He won't engage in [[{{Jerkass}} jerk-like behavior]], but probably responds in kind to VitriolicBestBuds, and BewareTheNiceOnes is still absolutely to be considered.

If done right, it can demonstrate why a guy has beautiful women attached to him: he really is a remarkably wonderful and compassionate person. The Nice Guy can be engaging, likable or TheProtagonist; all it takes is giving them a personality outside of "nice" such as: a [[GentlemanAndAScholar scholarly refinement]], [[KnightInShiningArmor a chivalric attitude]], some engaging relationships, and a pinch of HiddenDepths. Having the right actor with the thespian skill to take those character qualities and wield them with charm and sincerity can help, which is how master actors like Creator/ChristopherReeve and Creator/ChrisEvans took archetypal {{Superhero}} paragons of pure goodness who superficially seemed bland and colorless, Film/{{Superman|TheMovie}} and Captain America respectively, and made them compelling characters audiences loved.

Occasionally, however, the treatment goes the other way around: Perhaps in a world set upon BlackAndGrayMorality or GreyAndGrayMorality, this Nice Guy actually stands out because he IS a Nice Guy. He doesn't have the excuse to be cynical or mean, nor does he need to have a tragic backstory. He's so nice, friendly and helpful... that he eventually becomes a fan-favorite due to how much he stands out amongst the more cynical cast members, like a refreshing breeze.

On a D&D alignment chart, nice guys practically represent the NeutralGood alignment. Exceptions are if the guy is [[LawfulGood extremely respectful towards rules]], if he's kinda [[ChaoticGood undisciplined]], or, in ''very'' rare cases, if [[TrueNeutral he's polite and pleasant but actually amoral]].

Nor does it mean [[GoodIsNotSoft being nice means they're not tough]], or an IronWoobie. If [[BadassBookworm combat intellect]] or combat ability are involved, it's akin to ObfuscatingStupidity or CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass because you naturally ''expect'' the {{dark|AndTroubledPast}}, [[HurtingHero tormented]] [[IWorkAlone loner]] to be rough and tough, and the nice guy to be a NonActionGuy. So, when it comes time for [[IAmNotLeftHanded "No more Mr. Nice Guy"]], [[BewareTheNiceOnes heads roll]]. On the other hand, with the AllOfTheOtherReindeer trope in play, the nice fellow can be a redeeming factor as a person whom the beleaguered hero realizes is on his side and who lets him know [[YouAreNotAlone he's not alone]]. (That is, unless the nice guy is the beleaguered hero; then he's screwed.)

'''Note:''' This trope refers to ''genuinely'' nice guys. If you're looking for the Internet definition of "Nice Guy," that's at WantsAPrizeForBasicDecency, EntitledToHaveYou, BitchInSheepsClothing, and some cases of DoggedNiceGuy.