Do you help people when you can, even if you gain nothing from it?

Question

Lost_in_the_Woods · Accepted Answer

All these people say yes, but I'm my experience people only think they do.

Nobody actually helps people who have real problems. Some people will give a homeless man a dollar but people literally sit home and collect free money knowing that some of their neighbors are getting dragged out of their homes for literally no reason at all and they just look the other way.

I used to actually try to help people who needed it but, most people will stab anyone in the back to try to get ahead in life so, it really isn't worth it.

Everyone SAYS yes, but nobody actually does it. I know from experience. People will ignore any injustice if they profit off of it, and practically nobody will actually do anything to try to help unless there is something in it for them.

I learned the hard way, the only way to get by is be selfish. The vast majority of people are, problem is most of them just lie and say they aren't.

But nobody ACTUALLY helps people who need it unless there is something in it for them.

Just look at the rise of suicide. Over half of all kids 12-17 in the USA consider suicide at least every other day. Their own parents don't help. People only care about themselves. They just pretend to care because it makes them feel good.

I bet most people who say yes actually believe what they are saying. But as them what they do on a daily basis to try to end opression and injustice and you'll see that most people don't do a dam thing that isn't for their own benefit.

And watch, those same people will probably attack me for telling the truth.

TruthBringer · Accepted Answer

Yes and no. I've spent too much energy trying to help people who simply do not want to be helped. They want to remain in their victimhood mindset and stay in the comfort of complaining about their (first world) problems other than do themselves a favor and fix them. Anyone who has experienced this knows how this can sap your energy. Now I only tend to help those who are serious about wanting to be helped. Once a person doesn't follow advise and then proceeds on complaining about the same thing, I stop them right there and don't waste any more time listening to their pity party.

dustybiker · Accepted Answer

I think we do gain by helping others without benefit to ourselves. It feels good to ease someone else’s pain. I can’t stand to watch someone hurting without even slight effort of asking if there is anything I can do.

There was a woman that came out of a bank and burst into tears. She stopped and put her hands on her face not seeing me walking toward her. When she removed her hands she acted embarrassed and wiped her eyes. A hug from a stranger when someone is circling the bottom can be enough to help them stand back up and keep moving.

AmandaYVR · Accepted Answer

Sure I will. If it's a stranger and it's quick, no problem.
If it's a family member, I'd do it for the obligation.
If it's a friend, only if they appreciate it. If they don't, they're not really a friend.
If it's an acquaintance or distant person online who is going through something, sure. But again, they should at least be polite about it.
Regardless who it is, I never expect anything in return. That wouldn't even occur to me.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I would love to be useful to somebody but I don't have the money or the opportunity to help a lot of people - I have skills but am too busy trying to help myself to worry about others. Also I have things I want to buy so I can't donate that much either.

_Clara_ · Answer

Yup. I don't expect anything in return for helping someone. I do this without expecting anything in return. Because when you do a favor, you shouldn't expect anything in return. I'm not waiting either.

There is a saying that I like. " Don't pretend to be nice. Do good, don't show up." It is a true and beautiful word. so even good deeds should be kept secret. "I did you a favor" should not be said to that person all the time, so that the goodness has value.

xHoneyxBeex · Answer

Yes, I have always enjoyed helping others and doing what I could to make a difference, however small it may be. I'm currently in a helping profession (mental health case management) so at this point, it's literally my job to help people. Lol Outside of work though, I also volunteer my time to help others when I can.

Jlegacy · Answer

When you help people without the possiblity of any gain from them, you become candidate for the greatest gain. The word of God which can lie confirms this.

Anon621 · Answer

I think I can be better about helping other people again personally I think I need a lesson in being less self centered

InferiorElegy · Answer

Depends on the problem and the person.
Elderly, I will help them.
Kids, I'm a single male and there's too much stigma there so, No.
Guys, only if they look like they need help.
Females, only when they ask for help, too many negative experiences with trying to be helpful with females so I avoid that shit.

Account · Answer

Yes, but only if I deem them good. I don't help people who I do not deem as good. I can't do that.
However, I do gain a nice feeling from it. It is not like I don't gain anything, it would be a lie to claim so.

HugoThe2nd · Answer

No, I don't.
If nothing else, your ego gains satisfaction from doing it- which for many people is more impactful of a gain than money or a practical benefit, it's never "nothing".

True altruism is a concept that defies the nature of human behavior.
Humans don't "do" anything without inherent motivation, whether it's conscious or subconscious.

Those who claim otherwise I dismiss as either naive or disingenuous.

Poppykate · Answer

I do volunteer work. But I wouldn’t say I get ‘nothing’ out of it. I get the satisfaction of knowing I have done a kindness to another person, and I get a sense of pride.

nolabels · Answer

Yep, but it's not true that I gain nothing from doing so. It makes me feel good to know that my skills and efforts were used to bring about some good in the world, if even in a small way.

loveslongnails · Answer

Yes, however I don't think it's possible to help someone and gain nothing from it.

JennBITx · Answer

I do, but sometimes there is a cost to myself. I do not like seeing people in pain or depressed, but sometimes the depression or pain does transfer over.

Adam1978 · Answer

Yes, I help when I want and I see someone needing help. It's just what I want others to do if I was in their situation.

ananias55 · Answer

Not anymore. Im unlucky and always help the wrong people. It usually ends up with me or other people getting hurt.

Sadgirl1994 · Answer

Yeah I try to. Because sometimes they are just so helpless and i will feel bad later if I did not step in to help when my help is needed

MCheetah · Answer

Yes, and it usually causes more problem for me than not. People are assholes.

MotorcycleMan · Answer

Absolutely and whenever I see the opportunity. What a great place it would be if everyone did.

BeenThereLovedIt · Answer

Yep, I give to a specific charity and fund-raise for them. I've never received or asked for anything in return.

ToastyOats · Answer

Hell no! Even if I feel good after thats something right? I know dyed in the wool "philanthropists" or as I call them masochists, who just love to be punished. They give till it hurts out of guilt and shame and their gifts are as worthless as the steak a farmer cuts from his cow!

ODC2112 · Answer

I often do. Yet often people can neither be helped nor healed. Often they are in certain situations because they want to be there, even if they don't consciously realize it.

Coulis · Answer

Yeah of course. Who doesn't do that? I mean, isn't that what helping is.

Minamikun · Answer

I always try my best to help people even in little things But I know that I'm not perfect and that sometimes, i can't do nothing

ChiTown33 · Answer

I try to. But it really depends what we're talking about. Sometimes you can help people very simply some people not so much. And some help is wasted.

Andres77 · Answer

Trying to set an example for my kids. Yes. I don't do it with the homeless so much now like I used to when I was younger.

DaveToo · Answer

That has been my life since graduating high school.

FamilyGuy2020 · Answer

I actually always have helped people expecting nothing in return and still do as a volunteer firefighter

Brainsbeforebeauty · Answer

Yes I have lots of times

Anonymous · Answer

It depends on who it is. If I believe you're a good person and not a leech that's just that's trying to use me then I'll try to help you if I can. Some people can't be helped because they have the Victimhood Mindset. They never seem to take responsibility for anything.

LivingExample · Answer

Yes, trying to help is why I started coming to this Website!

Guardian45 · Answer

All the time, even when I really can't do anything!

Silver158 · Answer

sometimes but I tend to stop if they don't start helping themselves.

Rawkman · Answer

Yes, I'm very giving when I can and don't expect anything back for it.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

I don't mind being selfless at all especially if I can help.

Bellanancy · Answer

I help people who seeks help from me not because of gaining anything just to make them happy

JosyJosy · Answer

You gain gratitude, that's not nothing

Ninjazzed · Answer

Yes because karma can either be a saint or a bitch.

Smegskull · Answer

Yes. This is why I avoid people as much as possible. I feel compelled/obligated to help poeple and most people are so incompetent they need help constantly.

TurkishGirl_ · Answer

Yes especially to the elderly and children.

Slartybartfast · Answer

Yes, often to my own detriment.

sage2021 · Answer

Yes I do. I always have and always will.

Titanya · Answer

Yup. It's in my nature

KAT247 · Answer

Yes. It’s called genuinely caring for someone.

Vanillano · Answer

Yeah if it's an easy one or I think I can help. It makes me happy knowing I was of help to someone else.

Kellyk234 · Answer

Yes, all the time. When I help others without anything in return I feel so amazing that I was able to help someone.

invalid1 · Answer

It feels good to do so 🙄

Marhaban-1 · Answer

Not unless I know them

Nikki6t6 · Answer

I do and everyone should

Jaymzcox · Answer

Of course, i believe in the gift of giving.

Wise4myage · Answer

Sure, Its nice to try to be helpful.

IncognitoBandito · Answer

Sure, especially if I know them as good people.

Anonymous · Answer

That's the right thing to do but it can be hard because you can feel like you're getting the short end of the stick.

dragoblack · Answer

From time to time, when I can afford to.

roy_ricky09 · Answer

Always!

Hanmakev · Answer

I don’t help when I’m supposed to😂

VanityFair888 · Answer

If it's an easy task for me, then yes

Alyssa11 · Answer

Yup :)

TheorionMage · Answer

Usually, Yes~

SaoirseS · Answer

Absolutely yes.

Gwenhwyfar · Answer

Yes.

Azaelia · Answer

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Do you help people when you can, even if you gain nothing from it?

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Should you try to help people in life?

Do you help people when you can, even if you gain nothing from it?

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