Ms. Goody Too Shoes

I’ve been called a “goody two shoes” more times than I can count. Growing up, it was praise: polite, respectful, reliable. As an adult? It’s ridicule. Suddenly “please,” “thank you,” and “have a good day” make me sound like I stepped out of an etiquette manual.

Somewhere along the way, good became uncool, and bad started trending like it was the new black.

But here’s the truth: I’ll take “square” over “toxic” any day. Call me boring, lame, or uninteresting. I’ll wear it like a badge. Because being good in a world that glamorizes bad isn’t weakness, it’s rebellion. And in the long game? Good still wins.

When Did Good Get a Bad Rap?

It hit me hard one night at the club. I was there celebrating my mom’s 61st birthday with my sisters and my husband. Dressed conservatively, I was instantly labeled “the nun.”

While the floor was full of people doing moves I can’t even name, I stood there realizing: this isn’t about me being “out of touch.” It’s about the culture we live in.

We clap for chaos. We reward reckless. We glorify rude. And if you dare to say “excuse me” instead of shoving, you’re the weirdo.

But let’s be real: manners never go out of style. Respect never becomes irrelevant. And treating people like humans? That will always matter.

The Flip: Good Is the Long Game

Here’s what I’ve learned: bad might get you attention, but good gets you longevity.

• Bad entertains. Good sustains.
  That flashy moment will fade. But consistent respect and integrity? That builds trust you can cash in for decades.

• Bad is loud. Good is magnetic.
  You don’t have to scream for attention when people already feel safe, seen, and valued around you.

• Bad burns bridges. Good builds them.
  In publishing, in business, in life, the people who last are the ones who know how to keep doors open, not slam them shut.

How to Be “Good” Without Being a Doormat

1. Keep Your Edge
   Being good doesn’t mean being weak. You can be kind and still say no. You can be polite and still be firm.

2. Use Humor as Armor
   If someone calls you “Ms. Goody Too Shoes,” laugh with them. Turn it into a brand if you have to. Humor keeps you untouchable.

3. Hold to the Golden Rule
   Treat others the way you want to be treated. Basic, yes. Radical in today’s world? Absolutely.

4. Upgrade to the Silver Rule When Needed
   If someone treats themselves like trash, let them. Just don’t let them dump their garbage on you.

5. Remember Your Audience
   Readers, collaborators, clients, they remember how you made them feel. Good manners are the chicken soup for their soul.

Why Good Still Wins in Publishing (and Everywhere Else)

The publishing world can feel cutthroat. Algorithms, deadlines, egos, it’s easy to believe you need to play dirty to survive. But the truth? Professionalism and empathy will get you further than any shortcut.

• A kind email gets answered faster than a rude one.

• Gratitude builds loyalty.

• Respect earns repeat readers.

In a world obsessed with vitality, staying power belongs to those who stand for something better.

So yes, I’m Ms. Goody Too Shoes. I’ll take that over Ms. Bitter, Ms. Petty, or Ms. Cutthroat any day. Because at the end of it all, bad might get clicks but good gets the legacy.

In Other Words

Being “good” won’t always get you applause in the moment. Sometimes it’ll get you mocked, overlooked, or misunderstood. But when the dust settles? You’ll still have your dignity, your relationships, and your peace intact.

And peace, my friends, is the real flex.

-KIMMe PROMISEs