This is the single worst piece of advice still given out by people

This is the single worst piece of advice still given out by peopleThis is the single worst piece of advice still given out by peopleNice guys schliff last.That saying, without a doubt, is the absolute worst advice people still give.Im sure everyone has heard that one before. If not, well, its a clich saying here in the U.S. and Ive heard it more times than I can count.The basic point of the phrase is to warn people If youre too nice, youre going to be used and constantly taken advantage of by others.Its a stupid saying that bears no real meaning whatsoever.I know plenty of super nice people that are highly successful. And do you know how they became highly successful? You guessed it - BY BEING SUPER NICE.The problem with the advice to be wary of how nice you are, is that, most people take it WAY too literally.Let me give you an example.I was out to dinner with a relatively large group of friends. As were all college kids, deciding to pay with individual, separate checks was automati c.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.Somehow at the end of the meal, there were a few items unaccounted for (items that were shared by the table). As it was obvious no one was going to offer to pay, I said without hesitation, Just put it on my bill- no problem.Immediately, the table responded with phony appreciationAww, are you sure?Want me to Venmo you $2?Ill get you back next time broAs we left the restaurant, one of my (sort of) friends turned to me and genuinely thanked me for paying for the unaccounted for appetizers, but his thank you was followed by an explanation I would have paid, honestly, but you know how it is, nice guys finish last.No, actually - I dont fking know how it is. Please, enlighten me (I thought to myself).His reason for not helping me out with that portion of the bill was because nice guys finish last. At some point in his life, some idiot must have told him that offering to help a friend pay the bill was being too nice and he didnt want to be taken advantage of.Ridiculous, right?You know why I offered to pay? Because thats what decent person would do. I could care less about $16.64. If paying that portion of the meal meant nobody else had to worry about it, thats cool with me. Id rather pay extra for people to have a good time than argue about 16 freaking dollars.Being a nice person doesnt mean being taken advantage of. I chose to pay the extra portion of the bill. That was my decision.At the end of the day, being nice to people is how you build friendships. Its how you network and fasson new relationships with people.Being nice is always a good decision.And to those who disagree, let me make something clearIf you think Im a loser or that Im going to be taken advantage of for the rest of my life because I choose to be nice, youre an idiot.Its very, VERY easy to spot the people that try to take advantage of others. If this is you, trust me, you are not as sly as you think. People - especially nice people - can see right through you.If all you like to do is use people, well, I feel sorry for you. Because when its all said and done, youre not going to have anyone that will vouch for you. No one will offer to help you out in your time of need. Nobody is going to invite you to parties or to dinners or to sporting events because nobody wants to hang around a moocher.It is always, always, always worth it to be nice.Thisarticleoriginally appeared on Quora.