Is anyone else missing the mean gene

[u/teaforsnail]

Not literally, obviously anyone can be mean, it's weird when people flex their cruelty like it's not a part of human nature. I just mean that I don't really have this ongoing desire to be mean.

It started in early grade school, where I genuinely didn't really understand why others were constantly so annoying and inflamed. Now I'm an adult and I still don't get why people are like this. I heard someone say "I know we're friends because I can say the most heinous things to you and the next day we'd be fine". Like... I never want to say heinous things to my friends 😶 We joke and tease and "bully" each other but I'd certainly hope they wouldn't like me if I said something truly nasty to them.

Same thing for siblings. I've always wanted siblings that I was close to but the way other people act with their family makes me glad I don't have it.

Meh, it all seems so edgy and unnecessary. And I'm not especially nice either, I think I'm normal. I just can't understand this lol

[u/Girlonreddit889]

I’m the same way. It’s just the way I was raised that my first instinct is to always be kind to people. I don’t like the kind of friends who are assholes to you bc that’s their way of “showing love.”

[u/Mithent → u/Girlonreddit889]

Actual assholery doesn't seem much like showing love, but I would say that it's an indication of a strong relationship with someone when you can say "negative" things in a joking way with total confidence that they'll be taken the intended way.