This Woman Listed Her iPhone For Sale And A Self-Professed Nice Guy Proves Why Self-Professed Nice Guys Are The Worst
It's a sad day having to caption this story of a woman trying to sell her phone with TW: rape threats.
Some people really do treat the bare minimum like a personality trait. In this Reddit story, a woman trying to sell her iPhone online ends up dealing with a self-proclaimed nice guy who takes the conversation in a deeply creepy direction.
What starts as a normal sale quickly turns into a lesson in entitlement, with the guy trying to talk his way into her trust and then pushing way too far.
And once he starts explaining himself, it only gets worse from there.
The conversation begins in a standard way... but goes downhill very quickly
msamberjade on RedditAnd then it gets worse...
msamberjade on RedditLove to call men out for mansplaining only to have them say "No, I'm educating."
msamberjade on Reddit
Social psychologists emphasize that the concept of the "nice guy" often embodies a distorted view of altruism. This phenomenon, known as benevolent sexism, suggests that some men believe they are entitled to female affection simply by being seemingly kind. This can result in negative behaviors toward women.
Research in behavioral psychology highlights the importance of developing assertiveness skills to combat harassment. A study from the University of Michigan found that individuals who practice assertive communication report higher self-esteem and lower anxiety levels.
Practical solutions include role-playing scenarios to enhance confidence in responding to unwanted advances or threats. Such training can empower individuals to reclaim their autonomy and effectively challenge harmful behaviors.
The disturbing behavior exhibited by the self-proclaimed 'nice guy' reflects a classic case of entitlement and manipulation. Individuals who engage in such behavior often feel a sense of ownership over others, believing that their 'niceness' earns them the right to demand certain responses or behaviors in return.
Research published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology highlights how this mindset can lead to a toxic cycle of interaction, where genuine kindness is replaced with a transactional view of relationships. This can create an environment where emotional manipulation thrives, often resulting in feelings of resentment and violation for those on the receiving end.
WARNING it gets really dark in the next screenshot.
msamberjade on Reddit
Wisely, the woman stopped responding. Not that the guy took the hint...
msamberjade on Reddit
Then she blocked him. And I absolutely do not blame her.
msamberjade on Reddit
The anonymity of online platforms often exacerbates aggressive behaviors.
This is the same kind of boundary mess as the AITA where a friend kept freeloading tech support until she finally drew the line.
Moreover, this behavior exemplifies the concept of psychological projection, where individuals attribute their own negative feelings or intentions onto others. Understanding this can help victims of such behavior reclaim their agency and recognize that they are not responsible for another person's emotional state. Recognizing one's value is essential in mitigating the impact of manipulative behaviors.
The internet agreed: the guy is a CREEP.
pinkascii:
"Wow, that's scary."
PM_ME_YOUR_LAWNCHAIR:
"Yeah, I was expecting some whining, but this dude is messed up."
eaglebtc:
"Yeah. I'm a dude, and I don't give out my address to Craigslist strangers because I don't want to get robbed. This guy is a psychopath."
At least by reporting he'd be on their radar (in case this is a common thing he does)
PassTheTangerine:
"Extremely. OP, please tell me you called the cops and reported this? From my experience, the cops can at least call the person and warn them not to harass you. In some cases, I think just having the threat of authorities taking action can help deter him from pulling this kind of messed-up stuff in the future._ _EDIT: To those who pretty much said, 'The police aren't going to do absolutely anything. THIS IS ALSO why women don't report. By perpetuating the belief, 'Well, it won't do anything anyway,' and by NOT reporting, THAT'S also what continues this horrible cycle.And even if he hasn't done anything, they can still put the fear of repercussions into this individual. A lot of these people forget that actions have consequences.I know that victim-blaming is still a problem in the U.S., but you never know who's on the other end to help you when you do report something. Remember to see the individual versus the collective."
Luckily, OP realized what was going down and wasn't having any of it.
Egg-prince:
"I have a strong feeling he was going to rape you."
msamberjade:
"I know! 'Here, let me come over so I can show you how much I won't rape you!' Like, what?"
BIG NOPE
missingadogsomewhere:
"Women lie about being harassed. It's all lies to make me look bad." That tells you all you need to know, lol."
Me, an intellectual:
30826a:
"Let me come over, and I bet you I won't even rape."Me, an intellectual: "Hmm, that's exactly what a rapist would say."I'm glad you're safe; that guy is insane."
Even reading a recount of the story is bone-chilling...
Kchesn:
"Let me show you I won't rape you" is 100% something a rapist would say."
JanuarySoCold:
"I read The Gift of Fear years ago, and I remember one thing: if someone says, 'Don't worry, I won't hurt you,' it's a huge red flag. They will hurt you. I have to read it again to be sure, though."
This "nice" guy doesn't seem real nice to me
Roelka0:
"The way he put 'rape' in quotes makes it seem like it's something that doesn't exist... the whole conversation is really scary."
Ahhwake:
"I hired a new employee a few weeks ago as a server. He seemed like a nice kid, was in engineering school, and was personable.A week into the job, he went on a rant about how rape isn't real; it's all just girls making it up because they're sluts who don't want to be thought of as sluts.I fired him. I couldn't believe he was saying it, though. The whole staff was looking at him while he was just ranting along while rolling silverware.They're out there."
This all started over a phone... like wtf...
misskarne:
"Um.Terrifying.Also, can we just WTF at the number of guys who seem to think, 'I won't rape you!' is setting a really high bar? Because it's literally the lowest bar. Yay, you're a normal person. Good job."
em_square_root_-1_ly:
"Is he a normal person, though?"
depricatedzero:
"The best things about me:I won't rape you.I won't mistreat you.I'm a Nice Guy.You won't need any other guys in your life or people even.I'll give you so many of the sex.Fuck you, you bitch; I was just trying to be nice. You're ugly."
That phone sale turned into a full-on warning sign parade.
Additionally, it's crucial to understand the broader societal implications of these behaviors.
The situation that unfolded in the Reddit post not only highlights the unsettling behavior of the self-proclaimed 'nice guy' but also exposes the deeper issues of entitlement and manipulation that can permeate human interactions. This incident serves as a stark reminder that some individuals believe they are owed something for simply acting decently, revealing a troubling mindset. The woman's experience illustrates the importance of mutual respect and genuine kindness, which are often overshadowed by those who seek to gain something in return for their 'niceness.' To counteract these toxic dynamics, it is essential to foster a culture of healthy communication and emotional intelligence, ultimately leading to more equitable and compassionate relationships.
The recent incident involving a woman selling her iPhone and the ensuing interaction with a self-proclaimed nice guy highlights the persistent issues women face in online spaces. This situation showcases the troubling intersection of societal expectations and toxic behaviors that many "nice guys" embody. The screenshots shared reveal a pattern of behavior that is not just benign but indicative of a deeper issue-benevolent sexism, where men believe their minimal gestures of kindness entitle them to something in return.
Such interactions underscore the importance of fostering assertiveness among women in these contexts, empowering them to navigate and challenge inappropriate advances. This case emphasizes the need for accountability in online communications, where anonymity can shield poor behavior. Ultimately, the goal should be to dismantle the harmful narratives that equate kindness with entitlement, and instead promote authentic kindness that exists without strings attached.
And somehow, he still thought he was the good guy.
Want more fallout from “nice” behavior, read why she called out her siblings friends as toxic in an AITA post.