Chapter 1: The Nice Grump Archetype

One of my favorite character types is the nice grump. Unlike a mean grump, who is simply rude and often struggles to get ahead, a nice grump is a richly layered individual. If you take the time to look deeper, you may discover a truly wonderful person beneath the surface.

I work for a sizable company that, unfortunately, has fallen behind in terms of technology. For example, my experience with our outdated password policy illustrates this. Every three months, I receive a reminder to update my 16-character password, which feels overly complicated, especially since I have to do it so frequently. There are only so many combinations I can remember without feeling embarrassed. But I digress. When I attempt to change my password, it often fails to save. Consequently, the next day, when I try to log in, I'm greeted with a message saying my old password is still in use, rendering me unable to access my computer.

As a result, I find myself calling IT every three months, inevitably speaking with "Steve."

Steve embodies the grump archetype. The company photo of him reveals a middle-aged, rugged man whose image hasn’t been updated in over 15 years. You can tell from the digital degradation of his picture that he is far removed from the newer employees.

During our phone interactions, Steve communicates in grunts and terse phrases.

"Click there."

"No, not that blue one. The other blue button."

"Hhmh."

Despite his brusque demeanor, it's clear that there isn’t an ounce of malice in him. So, I decided to dig a little deeper.

On our first call, I shared a couple of jokes, which prompted Steve to pause—a response akin to laughter from someone like him. He appreciated my humor.

Three months later, when I called again, I engaged him with questions while he worked on my password issue. He began to open up a bit more. Although he wasn’t about to host any talk shows, he seemed more receptive.

Fast forward to another three months, and I sensed a hint of excitement in Steve's voice. Remember, these calls happen early in the day, so this is how he starts his morning.

We chatted about my upcoming wedding and my bachelor party, while he shared stories about his daughter, who married a few years back, and his grandson, who is his pride and joy.

Over several months of these catch-up calls, Steve and I formed a friendship, as much as he would allow.

Nice grumps often appear rough on the outside, but this may merely be a facade designed to shield them from social anxieties. It’s easier to push people away than to risk vulnerability.

However, beneath that tough exterior lies a kind-hearted individual yearning for connection.

I find it fascinating how intricate human beings are. Each person is composed of numerous layers, each presenting a unique puzzle to solve. So, the next time you encounter a nice grump, I encourage you to take a moment to listen.

In the first video, "Game Grumps: Nice Coat," the hosts explore humorous interactions and character dynamics that resonate with the theme of the nice grump.

The second video, "Nice Shot: Golfin' & Gunnin' - PART 1," showcases the playful banter and camaraderie that reflects the complexities of human relationships.