# What's so bad about virtue signaling?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-virtue-signaling/943867>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 8, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-virtue-signaling/943867 "2021-06-08T20:25:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 118

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**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2021, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-virtue-signaling/943867/118 "2021-06-16T02:49:43Z")

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> [@bump](#):
>
> Virtue signaling is different than just indicating you’re part of a group. It’s more than that; it’s the conspicuous demonstration of some “virtuous” behavior with the express intent of having that display witnessed in an attempt to curry social favor through that display. In other words, it’s about being seen doing something because you want people to know you do something, vs just doing it and going about your business.

Spot on. This is one of my many issues with virtue signalling. If you’re going to be an extra-good person or do extra-good things, just do them because they’re a good thing to do (from your perspective, at least) or they’ll help someone who needs the help - not because it’ll also make you look good.

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