Do you think it's better to keep your good deeds a secret? Or let people know about them to "inspire" them? Do you feel like you benefit the same whether people know about it or not?
2007-04-29 14:51:12 · 11 answers · asked by Karen 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It's best if you keep it to yourself. That way you can be assured of your motivation, and that you will not look like you are doing it to look good. There may be no such thing as altruism, but you can at least be elegant. It also spares the recipient of possible humiliation. Consider your motivations carefully.
2007-04-29 14:57:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personaly like to do secret ones. One time a coworker's son was in the hospital just before Christmas with a life threatening condition and I knew lots of people were stopping by and she had family coming for Christmas. I baked a huge container full of assorted goodies (fudge, shortbread, decorated sugar cookies, etc) and left them in her classroom with a typed anonymous note saying I knew she could use the help in this difficult time. I think deep down she knew it was me but it was a very emotional time for her and we just exchanged a nod that said it all. I don't like the grandious "look at me, I'm doing good things, everyone adore me" gestures. It's the little things that count. Things like leaving a good chocolate bar on a coworkers desk who has been down lately and is a chocolate fiend. The one person that counts knows who did it (your spiritual saviour, whatever youe belief is) and that is all that matters! I get more satisfaction out of that than big thank yous. I know the person will appreciate it and it brightens their day. That's all the thanks I need!
2007-04-29 16:50:41 · answer #2 · answered by Baby boy arrived March 7th! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends on the deed. sometimes you can't help but let people in on it such as when you offer money,a ride or something similar. if it is a gift of charity or doing something just because then i usually don't let on. i don't do things for the gratitude or thanks.i do them cause i want to. it's actually kind of fun to see the person on the receiving end and their wonder at the deed's origin and know that you helped them in some way. it's good for the soul.
2007-04-29 15:32:45 · answer #3 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am known by a few people as the "drive-thru angel". I have gone through a drive-thru, paid for my order, then paid for the car behind me, then leave and go about my business. The only reason people know it was me is because they were with me at the time, not because I told them.
A good deed is its own reward. You can inspire people with suggestive ideas. They don't have to know what you have done.
2007-04-30 00:20:54 · answer #4 · answered by afterglowpt 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think good deeds will stand on their own. When you do a good deed and then tell everyone about it, it somehow takes away from it. It is in good character to just do the good deed and let it go.
2007-04-29 16:13:42 · answer #5 · answered by zaytox0724 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Keep it a secret. You're not doing a good deed for other people... its usually done for your own satisfaction and/or God's. So it is personal.
2007-04-29 17:16:33 · answer #6 · answered by Samantha 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I do a good deed I keep to myself. Sometime people think you just want a pat on the back.
2007-04-29 14:56:38 · answer #7 · answered by Rev. Bonnie C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, the Bible says to do the acts in secret, because those who proclaim them recieve their rewards from men, not from God. But it depends on what you feel in your heart. If you think it will inspire others, then tell people.
2007-04-29 14:55:42 · answer #8 · answered by Curtis B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep them a secret
2007-04-29 15:03:35 · answer #9 · answered by bananabeat25 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I see no reason to toot my own horn, unless I'm sharing my own experience with people who have had similar ones. I help people because it's the right thing to do; I don't do it so I can brag about it later to build up public opinion about myself.
2007-04-29 17:09:10 · answer #10 · answered by shoujomaniac101 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋