Being too nice does cost yuh

Mar 04, 2026 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists

(Kaieteur News) – Dem boys seh sometimes when yuh too nice to people, yuh does end up writing yuh own police report.

Imagine a man go by another man gate and beg fuh a lil raise. Not even a big raise—just enough fuh buy a small fry rice and maybe a soft drink. De man open he heart, dig in he pocket, and help out. Next thing de same fella turn round and rob de man of all he money.

Now if dat ain’t wickedness with interest, dem boys don’t know wah is.

But leh we talk bout de everyday version. Yuh help one person and de news travel faster than free WiFi. Before sunset, yuh gate does look like a mini market line-up. One want onion. One want garlic. One want match. One want a “small piece oil.” And almost all want a “lil raise.” Dem does say it soft-soft too, like dem whispering a secret: “Boss, yuh ain’t get a lil change fuh me?”

The moment yuh extend a helping hand, is like yuh accidentally put up a sign: “Open 24/7. No appointment needed.” Yuh turn from neighbour to National Commercial Bank overnight. Morning, noon and night—knock knock. Even when yuh light off and pretend yuh ain’t home, dem knocking like is fire drill.

And leh yuh tell dem one day dat yuh can’t help. Lawd! Dem does get more vex than you. Face screw up like dem bite lime. All of a sudden, you is de wicked one. De same people wah yuh help does start whisper campaign: “He change, bai. He nah help nobody no more.”

Dem boys seh de most painful part ain’t even de borrowing. Is when yuh help somebody climb up, and dem use de height fuh kick yuh down. De ones wah yuh help de most does sometimes turn out to be de most ungrateful. Is like yuh water a plant and it grow thorns just fuh yuh.

So yes, being kind is a virtue. But common sense is a bigger virtue. Help if yuh can—but don’t mek people turn yuh kindness into installment plan. Guard yuh pocket, guard yuh gate, and most of all, guard yuh back.

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