If I said one thing about my father, or if there were only one thing that you knew about my father, it would be that he’s a nice guy. He’s the friendly guy in the elevator who strikes up a conversation with you and leaves you feeling good about the clothes that you picked out that day. He’s the guy who stops to offer to take a picture of your group of friends so that everyone can be in the photo. At his own gatherings, he’s the guy who takes the photo so that everyone else can be in it. He’s the guy you sometimes don’t see in the photo and he’s happy with that. He’s the guy you meet at a party, shows a genuine interest in you, and makes the whole conversation about you. He’s the guy who calls you on your birthday.
And beyond the niceties, he’s a standup guy. He’s the last guy on the planet that would ever shortchange you. If there’s one thing I learned from my father, it’s this: Be nice.