Is it normal to love doing nice things for others, even strangers?

87% Normal
28 Comments

I love doing things to help other people. I always give to panhandlers (food instead of money if at all possible because I know they'll probably spend any cash they get on drugs or alcohol.) I figure that whether or not I donate won't help them decide to seek treatment but at least it shows that I care. In general, I love the idea that something little I do can make someone else happy, if only for a while, even if I never see them again. Unfortunately, sometimes people take advantage of me, think I must be an idiot trying to gain favour, or am desperate to be liked. (Why would I feel desperate to be liked by some homeless person I don't know and will probably never see again?) Hence, I find that I lose status in some people's eyes.

Voting Results
87% Normal
Based on 168 votes (146 yes)
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Comments ( 28 )
  • Terence_the_viking
    11 years ago | pl

    I wish the world was more like this.

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  • anti-hero
    11 years ago

    It can make you feel good to do good for others, normal.

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  • thanksforthefreecar
    11 years ago

    Thats wonderful and i'm not being sarcastic!

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  • Maybeoneday
    11 years ago

    It's people like you that will make a difference someday.

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  • LynDragon
    11 years ago

    Well society thinks its cool to be an ass these days that's probably why you think it isn't normal. But I think we can all agree that you're just an awesome person, keep it up. :)

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      Well, you've definitely lifted my spirits today. I really appreciate it.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    it good

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    Well,of,course. i help the ones that i c need helped money wise

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  • Roger_Maxson
    11 years ago

    I prefer to be helpful to people I don't know very well so that way I can tell myself they were a good person that deserves good things.

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  • EAT_IT
    11 years ago

    I always help strangers with food. They look like they're full so I eat what they cannot.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    "Unfortunately sometimes people take advantage of me"

    For every upward slope there is a downward one. Our weaknesses are founded in our strengths.

    But good for you! Be careful not to let your actions be informed by the wrong intent. Give in secret; don't announce your deeds to anyone.

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  • davesumba
    11 years ago

    i'm the same way, and was just thinking about it yesterday, that i don't know a single other person in real life that is like that (besides my mom who taught me these ways). so i'd say it is actually not normal at all. all other people care about is themselves.

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  • SeverusFan23
    11 years ago

    Yes. We need more people in this world like you.

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  • americanhoney
    11 years ago

    I love picking up the check anonymously in restaurants for random tables of people, and also buying the coffee or whatever the person in the drive thru behind me at Starbucks is getting.

    Why not? I have a shit ton of money and it makes me feel happy :)

    Good on you, I say.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      "I love picking up the check anonymously in restaurants for random tables of people."
      Wow. That's amazing. Most rich people aren't generous like that without an ulterior motive. Guys sometimes do it to get a hot girl to sleep with them.
      My husband is well off and he told me that I've changed him. Now he gives a damn about the sad people living on the street. He opens his wallet. We live WAY beneath our means which is very unusual in our country which LOVES credit.
      I give out a free iPhone neck strap every time someone admires mine. I take it off my neck, unclip my phone and give it the admirer because I have ten more at home and they only cost me $2 each on eBay. Makes me feel good and costs me virtually nothing.
      Once I saw a guy sleeping rough outside the post office next to his wheelchair and it made me feel really sad so I put a $20 note inside his jacket. I really hope he found it when he woke up.

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  • Ldizzy1234
    11 years ago

    You're a really good person. Sometimes I wish I could give people a lot of things too.

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  • Isabella80s
    11 years ago

    You're obviously a very kind person and that SHOULD be normal! It sounds like you really care about people and for humanity. +10 human points - you're doing better than a lot of people on this earth. Sorry, I probably sound really cynical. Just let your good heart keep shining. As long as it's a genuine kindness and not a way of seeking approval, just carry on. Have you considered trying to get a job/career in something that means you can help others?

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  • howaminotmyself
    11 years ago

    Nothing wrong with giving someone a cheeseburger and a beer. They will find the beer regardless. It isn't for me to tell them how to live their life. So I'll give them a meal and a vice and hopefully a moment or two without thinking about how hard their life is. However I don't give cash to rude homeless people, or those who are clearly on meth. I point them towards the shelter.

    I like being nice to people too. It isn't for the thanks, or status, or whatever, it is simply because it makes me happy. I am glad there are people like you in this world.

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  • VioletTrees
    11 years ago

    Yes, you're a good person.

    I actually give cash to homeless people, though, because there are a lot of reasons people are homeless that have nothing to do with substance abuse, and there are things people need that aren't food. For example, they may need pads or tampons (shelters around here tend to run out), and that's not something I'm going to buy for somebody whose vagina I know nothing about. Obviously, not all homeless people need that specifically, but there are a lot of other non-food items that people need, and making sure people have the means to get some of them is more important to me than making sure nobody buys drugs or alcohol with money I give them.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      Yes. I totally agree with you. There is nothing that can take the place of cash. The progression of someone's addiction is not contingent on whether or not they get cash from me. It's certainly true that at the start of the addiction process, a ready supply of cash is dangerous but once someone is at rock bottom, they're going to score whether they get can cash from me or not. If I give them cash, maybe they won't mug someone for it instead.

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  • ygrowup
    11 years ago

    There are many special people like you out there, just hope you find a special companion that compliments your attributes

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  • Shackleford96
    11 years ago

    Yes that's normal, it just means you have a good heart. That's a good idea about the panhandlers too. Next time a pan handler asks me for money, i'm going to ask him if he needs a cheeseburger or something. :)

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    • VioletTrees
      11 years ago

      Food can be good, but sometimes people need bandages and underwear and stuff.

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      • Shackleford96
        11 years ago

        But how do I know they won't use it for booze or something?

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        • VioletTrees
          11 years ago

          You don't.

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          • Shackleford96
            11 years ago

            O_o

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  • Shroot
    11 years ago

    I like being helpfull

    but when someone is extremely thankfull it makes me feel awkward, don't know why

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  • flowergirl87
    11 years ago

    I don't think there's any need for too much analysis here - you're just a kind person. We need more people like you! It's nice to make a positive difference even if it seems trivial. So many people are so self obsessed, it's great to think of others - I worry people are losing that ability : ( And if you've gone down in someone's opinion because of it... what does that say about them?

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