Don’t Date The ‘Nice Guy’–Date The Guy With Golden Retriever Energy

You might be hearing this new term a lot on social media, and it’s got you wondering: What is golden retriever energy? If you’re thinking it’s just a nice guy, you’re dead wrong. The dreaded “nice guy” trope doesn’t hold a candle to the majesty that is the guy with golden retriever energy. One uses their niceness as a weapon. The other is just naturally kind and good with a positive and attractive personality. One you want; one you should definitely avoid.

The guy with golden retriever energy is fun to be around. When he walks in the room, the mood is instantly lifted. His positive attitude is infectious. He isn’t content with “fine.” He wants everyone to be having a good time and, with him, it feels effortless. You can also count on some of the best, warmest hugs of your life.

The nice guy is draining. His supposedly nice traits don’t come naturally, and you can sense it in your gut. You can feel that something is off with him. So when you’re around him, your social battery gets drained. For some reason, being around him feels like work.

The guy with golden retriever energy is happy to see you. He makes you feel special, like seeing you is what he’s been waiting for all day. Like a real golden retriever, as soon as his eyes come across you, it’s like his whole day has improved. His face breaks out into a wide, bright smile and suddenly that positive energy has lifted your mood, too.

The nice guy’s niceness comes with strings attached. He isn’t being nice because that’s his natural state. He’s not nice because he’s just a kind person. He’s being “nice” to you because he wants something. He pretends to be your friend so he can someday hopefully earn enough “nice guy” points to get in your pants.

The guy with golden retriever energy’s kindness is his default setting. It’s just who he is. That sunshine bubbling up from inside him, that makes you feel special, is the real deal. He isn’t kind because he hopes to get something from you–he does it because he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The nice guy isn’t actually nice at all. A truly nice person wouldn’t have their niceness contingent on whether or not you sleep with them. Someone who is actually nice would be totally down to just be friends with you, and would handle a rejection with grace. But not the nice guy–he could never.

The guy with golden retriever energy is genuine. You know that, with him, what you see is what you get. There’s no ulterior motive. There’s no hidden evil energy. And that’s what makes guys with golden retriever energy so appealing. You know what you’re getting, and you know it’s something special.