Paris Hilton: Being Sweet Is Good for Karma

By Stephen M. Silverman

02/05/2008 at 09:30 AM EST

When it comes to her sweetness, Paris Hilton says she got it from her mother.

"She always taught us to be polite," the hotel heiress, 26, tells Parade magazine. "We had the best manners, so I've kept them."

The key advice that Kathy Hilton gave her daughter, says Paris: "Put your shoulders back and don't chew gum."

Beyond that, she says, "My mom has always been really supportive. She's one of my best friends. And she's just always told me to stay the same and stay the sweet girl I've always been since I was little and not let any of the Hollywood stuff get to my head, and you'll leave a good karma."

As for what might surprise strangers about Hilton, the socialite says, "I'm really good at ice hockey. I've been playing since 10th grade, and people don't know that I play defense in hockey. I like to check people, push people down. And I love fishing. I like to catch them, but I don't eat them. I just put them right back, because I feel bad for them."

Currently promoting her new movie The Hottie and The Nottie, which opens Friday, Hilton also confirms the reports that she'll appear on Showtime's The L Word.

"It's true," she says. "I have no idea what kind of character I'll be playing, but it's a good show."