Nice guys finish last. Do you know this phrase? Of course you do. Maybe you heard it in a romantic comedy starring Ashton Kuchar, or maybe you read it in one of Emily Giffin’s novels. Either way, it has been one of those classic clichés that always find its way into a conversation you have with your girlfriends.
Hearing this statement, you automatically think: it’s a sad truth that nice guys do finish last. The nice guys out there who try to win over a “good” girl they adore will most likely lose out to a rebellious jock or bad boy rebel who doesn’t know how to respect women. But, the only way to explain it is that their popularity and mischievous nature always appeals to the opposite sex.
It wasn’t until recently that I had an epiphany about this phrase. Actually, I didn’t come up with this; it came from an idea I got checking my friend Jessica’s Facebook status, which explained the misconception people have with this idea and why it is considered negative. If you take a longer look at it, you might consider a more positive interpretation. Instead of looking at that famous drawing and seeing the image of a haggard old lady that others see, take another look and see that the image could also be a well-dressed, young lady. (Below image for reference.)
When people say “nice guys finish last,” this is absolutely true, but in a good way. Rebels do get the girls when we are younger. They are the ones that get the goody two-shoes to go with them to the 8th grade dance, to post pictures of them up in their gym lockers, and have their names scribbled on their 7th period English binder. That’s exactly why they refer to them as “bad boys,” because they are just that… BOYS!
Nice guys are just that… GUYS! Okay, I will stop being over dramatic with the capital letters, but I think you are starting to understand my point. “Nice guys” is referring to men in a more mature state in their life; it also insinuates they are older. These men who are older are getting into more serious relationships and finding that special girl that they end up marrying.
Boys start off the race partnered with their “babes,” but start to prove they lack direction and respect for their significant other. There reaches a point where the girl turns into a woman and realizes she needs a partner who is more compatible and a partner who wants to finish the race. She breaks away and runs to the “guy” who ends up running through that ribbon with her hand-in-hand. To all of those nice men out there, don’t worry about starting the race. Just sit back, enjoy a Mike’s Hard Lemonade and wait for your turn to woo the woman off her feet once she’s outgrown the boy phase. Because as history and media indicates, you are the one who finishes the race!
