Does being nice get you anywhere?

I'm curious to hear views regarding being nice, does it really get you anywhere?

Personally for me these days, I think many people take things for granted and no longer respect polite people. I wouldn't say being nice gets you anywhere as it's very few who appreciate it, especially where I live. (could just be me)

Example, being nice at work.. means being pushed and walked over, it gets you in positions where you don't like to say no because you want to be useful.

Being nice for a stranger, such as opening a door. many don't have the curtersy have thanking you which is pretty rude. (although many don't ask, so that's a common excuse. Once I tested this, during an holiday vacation and I opened the door every time someone was walking towards it. (out of 10 people) only two elderly people thanked me, 3 looked at me like i was about to attack them the others just ignored it...

Does being nice get you anywhere? Well least being polite makes you feel a kinder person.
~ Praveen