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Greater Good

Are Our Fellow Americans Kinder Than We Think?

A new Gallup poll indicates that kindness is more prevalent in the United States than public perception suggests, with most Americans frequently witnessing or receiving kind acts from others. Over half of respondents reported seeing kindness often, and more than two-thirds said they had experienced kindness in the past week. Despite concerns about societal incivility, a majority of Americans view their fellow citizens as kind, and nearly all feel comfortable offering kindness to strangers. These findings suggest that kindness remains a common and valued behavior in everyday life.

What happened

A Gallup poll found that most Americans see and experience kindness regularly, despite media portrayals of incivility.

Why it matters

This highlights a gap between public perception and reality, suggesting that kindness is more common in everyday life than often assumed.

Why it belongs here

It offers a hopeful, human-centered perspective that can inspire more positive social interactions and community trust.

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