Solidly Nice

Above the Law, that source of all real news in the legal world, had a link to an op-ed in the Washington Post. Written by a 1L at Yale, it describes the overachieving but not very nice people with whom she goes to school. And I thought to myself, huh.

That has not been my experience. I go to school with people who are that overachieving, amazing, inspiring. They are also nice. They not only send notes, they often do so without being asked. They'll not only lend textbooks, they'll sit down and explain tricky concepts, or critique your paper, or moot you. They'll support you when your life goes down the toilet and celebrate with you when you triumph.

And they're nice in the little ways that can make a difference--the nod in the hall, the offer of a lift, the compliment on your haircut. True, some of them have no manners at all in the library, but most of them are relentlessly polite and often truly kind. By and large, I think I go to school with very good people. It's not a regional thing either, because this is a national school.

But it's an interesting point, that often those overachieving type A++ people are not always kind to their neighbor. It reminds me of my all-time favorite quote from a movie:

My mother once said to me, "Elwood" -- she always called me Elwood -- "Elwood, in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." For years I tried smart. I recommend pleasant.

Comments

[ckm]

All in all, it has been a wonderful experience for you, and you have LIVED THROUGH IT! (whew!)The people you've gone to school with do sound like winners and I look forward to meeting as many as possible at your graduation. Congratulations to you all - a job WELL DONE!