The manager at the restaurant I work at gave me delicious green tea ice cream to take home as a treat. I also packed my dinner to go, because I had no time to eat it during my shift. On the way home from work, I saw a homeless man sitting on the street. I spontaneously gave him the bag of food and ice cream, asking him "Would you like this food? It is chicken and vegetables, and ice cream" He said "thank you" and took it. I know the manager would have liked me to enjoy his ice cream, and it is my favorite ice cream which I would have loved to eat now at home after a hard day at work, but was that a good thing to do? What perspective can philosophy give on this action?
2007-03-23 18:16:53 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Yes. That was a kind, selfless & charitable thing to do. Depriving yourself of enjoyment in order to give it to a stranger that needed it more (you can get another dinner & dessert easier than he could) is admirable. I believe in Karma. What goes around comes around, so something nice will probably be coming your way.
Keep up the good work!
:)
You have the satisfaction of knowing that you did something kind for someone. That is far more enjoyable than the meal would have been.
If each person did one little thing to be nice to a stranger, imagine what an amazing world it would be!
I just thought, it's also an example of "paying it forward"...the manager did something nice for you & you passed it on. Maybe it will set off a chain reaction & help many people. That homeless person may do something for someone else & so on...
2007-03-23 18:28:33 · answer #1 · answered by amp 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have been in the food & beverage industry for over 2 decades. I have also worked down-town San Antonio, Texas for almost half of that time frame. I could write a book on what I have seen and encountered, but will keep it short. What you did is commendable in my book. The ones' that truly need help aren't begging for it. I have never refrained from helping my staff, nor the homeless. You listened to your heart and that it all that matters. I have witnessed peddlers with the same story and routine for years---best thing to say is that you paid with a credit card. The only time I gave money to a beggar with a sign is because it said "Why lie, I need a beer?" Hell, I gave him some money for his honesty. I am the type that purchases a round just for the hell of it! It is better to give than receive.
2007-03-24 06:57:52 · answer #2 · answered by unknownsoldier1st 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That was very nice of you. Years ago in Philadelphia my friend and I went to dinner at a rib place. The ribs were so good we decided to take an order home. As we were walking up the street I saw a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk leaning against a building. We decided to offer the ribs to him. He was very appreciative and dug right in. I don't eat out much anymore, but when I do encounter a homeless person asking for money, I usually give them a dollar at least.
2007-03-24 01:25:38 · answer #3 · answered by Mary 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, you should of shared it with him ... so no one goes home hungry .. and he can get a little human respect and love from you ... then explain that you can't do this every day.
No "bum" will treat you badly if you see him as human, although he might turn around and rob the next one who treats him badly.
We are all children of the same God ( All religions - One God ) Love rules.
Bravo for your beautiful ethical behavior .. It is very good Karma. Keep it up, but be careful.
Then get him a six pack cause it gives him some solace ... then get him into a treatment center.
Yours very truly,
Jonnie
2007-03-24 01:43:41 · answer #4 · answered by Jonnie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a good thing to do because you helped a homeless person and I'm sure your boss wouldn't mind because it came onto the right hands. There is always another chance for you to enjoy your ice cream where as for the poor it is a very lucky time to eat
nice food. So I think you did the right thing.
2007-03-24 01:29:28 · answer #5 · answered by onewayorother 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Goodonyuh! as we say in Oztrylia. You gave away a gift, which old-fashioned books on good manners would decry. But a gift once given is the recipient's to give away again, in my book. It's one reason we should leave the world at least as good as we recieved it (now unlikely). I notice with approval that you asked the fellow if he wanted it, recognising his dignity and autonomy - that's good, not presumptuous as so many "handouts" are. But I think you should tell your boss what you did with his gift of food. Open-ness is a rewarding policy I've found, and more powerful than mere "honesty". Good luck
2007-03-24 01:31:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is certainly a good thing to do but not the best. If you really wanna help him, get him a job at your restaurant. Your charity is making him more of a beggar. You give him food, he takes it and it is ruining him more and more. If you really wanna feed him, go and talk to him and find out what his problem is and help him stand on his own feet. If you don't wanna go and talk to him, stop giving him food.
2007-03-24 03:03:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes that was a very nice thing to do and I believe that you will be rewarded in heaven for it, Ive dont the same thing also and I felt great after doing it and like I made a little difference in the world. It's kind of like that movie pay it forward, you help 2 ppl and those 3 ppl pass it on to 3 more people and so on...
2007-03-24 01:21:32 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't know much about Philosophy but It was a very kind thing you did. I hope someone else helps you out if you et in touble. The world needs more pople like you.
2007-03-24 01:31:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The manager gave to you in kindness and for that he will find his blessing. What you do with it no longer has anything to do with him/her. You chose to act in kindness and for that you will find your blessing. Any kindness you do will be returned to you - with interest. My Grandmother used to say that it is really impossible to give charity because it will be given back to you multiplied and often before the sun sets. If there were more people like you there would be no want or misery in this world. Keep it up.
2007-03-24 01:27:57 · answer #10 · answered by ckswife 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋