What is wrong with doing good ?

Question

The term "do gooder" is always used as an insult, but why ? What is wrong with helping others ? Our parents and family "do good" to us, so do our friends and neighbours. If we are lucky, those with whom we come into contact in the outside world will do us good: doctors, bus drivers, hairdressers, teachers. Would your really want to live in Daily Mail world, free of those who wish others well, and want to "do good"?

Delighted to see so many positive responses - thanks. 'arry, have been trying to email you about cricket, but your email address is not verified according to YA bureaucracy, and for this reason they won't let my email through. Oprah's an interesting woman, this is not the first huge chuck of money she's given in an original way. But yes, she will be attacked for it.

that was chunk of money - not chuck, sorry

Yo 'arry, YA still say yr email unverified -
just wanted to say my old man went to the MCG on 27 & 28th, he's had tickets for months, my cousin got them for him so he had to sit among all the Aussies. Even tho Ashes already lost by the time he got there, he enjoyed it, despite cold (10 days ago it was 12c, today 34c!) Barmy army are amazing, well behaved, cheerful, cheeky (they always stop the Mexican wave dead in its tracks, apparently) and while they lose at cricket, they win at singing, he brought home this magazine (called "barmy") with several songs, including one for every player. Aussies lousy at singing apparently. I quite like to watch a bit of cricket, but cld never devote a whole day to it. Do you support England or the Windies ?

You're still fast asleep now (I hope) I'm packing for a start at sparrows fart, to Cairns to visit another cousin, then Sydney next week. Si, hablo Espanol, pero muy mal, lo siento, y no mas palabres
Hasta Luego

Answer 1

No thumbs down...you lucky booger! Was told 40 years ago that once we leave school, we're on our own - didn't know what it meant then, in the love-all sixties, but soon did in my first job in what was called 'Three Day Week' come Christmas 1973...when people of Norwich found it within their hearts to help the less well off, with heating and even foodstuffs. Was working as a chef then, and where we worked, anything we had spare, we gave to the local 'workers club' (remember them), and we had just as many people who sneered, as smiled. Maybe the sneerers are just guilty (and envious - if they're in the UK) seeing people who unconsciously use their hearts to make what they see as a better world.
Champagne tells us that 'many do-gooders' (what a sneery collection of words) have no business in their actions...could be people not unlike her have that envy on account that the 'many do-gooders' apparently have the wherewithal to help. Both teams were shiners in the 60's and 70's - Boycott and Holding...pure class [e-mail]. Just heard on Radio 4 that Oprah Winfrey has spent £20,000,000 getting a school built for wee bairns in Johannesburg...now lets see how she is treated by press in the western world.
Right...where's my Independent?

Answer 2

To me "do gooder" is best reserved to arrogant prats that puff themselves up on good, large works. Or those who crusading with arrogance to save the world.
Otherwise, a genuine do gooder is the person to might take a bit of food to a sick or elderly neighbour, or who reaches out to those who are hurting, or perhaps in other ways make little differences. Like the bus driver or teacher who has a smile in spite of their own problems.
If we want to be genuine doers of good, we do it as a lifestyle, for the sake of making someone Else's life or day a little bit better. And we don't brag it up.
I also include genuine do gooding as the person who gives but a little to a charity, or who will rescue or donate to an animal rescue organisation.
There are so many other examples, as past responses have touched upon.
--That Cheeky Lad, more cheeky than ever!
"Humbly crusades for more tolerance and better treatment of all creatures.'

Answer 3

'Do gooder' can be looked at one of two ways. It can be seen as a cruel barb made by people who are either jealous or bigoted about others trying to improve the well being or lives of others. It can also be used to describe people who patronise others and cast judgement on others lifestyles under the premise of 'doing good' I am a strong believer in improving my immediate environment as a part of improving the whole. At the same time I am not here to pass judgement on others or to win praise for actions that I might do for other people's benefit. I believe in learning more from others than any 'wisdom' I might think to impart and perhaps when 'doing good' these are some thoughts you might want to take away with you.

Answer 4

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to do good. Those who use the term "do-gooder" as an insult are normally bigoted, bitter people who don't want the world to progress and move on but would rather that we stayed in the Dark Ages.

Answer 5

What is wrong???! Society is wrong! Don't you notice how it's the ones with the 'bad boy' and 'bad girl' image that are glorified? Good deeds and good morals only exist in kids story books and kids movies...in the 'real' world it's the villians who seem to do well.

Look at all the sports, entertainment and glamour celebrities...it's the ones who have been involved in some bad doing that have risen to become venerated icons (case in point: Kate Moss). kids with Asbos wear it like a 'badge of honour' and I bet you if you were to list one of the so-called best top 10 movies of all times something like the 'Godfather' would spring up! Evidence of the climate we are living in...

So hun, nothing is wrong with doing good. And though we the normal ones may praise such noble and gentile deeds, there is perhaps a majority that secretly admires the rebellious, me-first, indifference in many today. (My 2 pennies worth)

Answer 6

I know what you mean. I have never understood why people have such a strong dislike for those who are only trying to make things better. I don't think that it bothers them that good things are happening, though. I sometimes think that they just don't like seeing other people getting credit and attention. Maybe it's just jealousy that makes them complain about it?

Answer 7

I haven't heard that exact term used in quite some time. Never-the-less, I agree with you. Thank goodness there are people in the world that prefer to do good. Good Luck! :)

Answer 8

Those who believe that this term may think them to be insulted means that they are not ready to examine their deeds . Who said that ppl do not make faults but the worst thing is to insist to stay in one level . We always should develop our self .Finally I think anyone who tells me my faults I think he give a best gift in my life.

Answer 9

there is nothing wrong with doing good to others. in fact, its very admirable. the ones who accost others for "do-gooding" often feel a little (or a lot) of anger because they rarely, if ever, see good done to them. people who tend to find themselves in misfortunate situations portray good as "bad" as a defense mechanism against unhappiness.

Answer 10

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing good. People have turned that phrase into something ugly and use it to mean "suck up" or phony.