I've been thinking a bit about this.
Almost exactly 1 year ago I was hit by a truck and came very close to death. A lot of people said very nice things about me, and did very nice things for me, which was a bit of a surprise. I received a lot of letters and gifts even from people who I hadn't really seen since Jr High, even some sent from overseas.
I've always been an outspoken dickhead, so I never expected that kind of reaction. Apparently people like me anyway.
So I've just tried to stay the same since then.