Why do people do kind things at Christmas and not the rest of the year?

Question

I'm not talking about being nicer than usual, I'm talking about giving to charity, visiting nursing homes, inviting lonely college students to dinner, etc. I've done benevolence and volunteer work for years. At Christmas people are falling over each other to help; then the rest of the year--poof! They vanish, but the sick, lonely, and hungry still need help. What would it take to get people to spread the love around a little more?

Edit--I do not know what immoral, inhuman threat you are talking about.

As for what I do, I did not mean to imply I am the only person who does anything for anyone, or that you weren't doing enough. I'm sorry you took it that way. I felt if I listed what I do, it would sound like I was focusing on myself. I crochet and sew baby items for low-income mothers, collect and donate baby furniture for the same, I invite people to dinner who don't have any family and are lonely, volunteer at school and church, etc. I've been a foster parent, a tutor, and a rape crisis counselor. (Not all at one time, of course.) And just the usual food pantry, clothes closet for fire victims type stuff. Nothing fancy.

Kipper, thank you for sharing your talents and making the world a little lovelier for others.

Answer 1

I don't do any of those things ever. I wouldn't volunteer if you held a gun to my head, which you are, in the form of guilt, as if my hard work and good judgment were ill-gotten, which they aren't. These immoral threats demean us both as reasoning human beings.

Your only value to others as a human being is what you can produce. By giving that away rather than expecting fair recompense you are demeaning yourself, making yourself less human. All self-destruction is immoral because it is destroying the basis for our morality: the fact of our existence, our life.

I treat everyone the same all the time. If you want something from me then we'll trade fair and square. If you want something for nothing you'd better find another sucker, perhaps someone lacking in self-respect.

I might give someone a loan as an investment on their long history of excellent skill and performance in their chosen field, and only if their current needy condition was due to random events, not their own personal failings and errors.

Go ahead and share your talents. Share implies an even exchange. Giving away your hard work is called being a scab.

Answer 2

Ive actually always wondered the same thing. It kind of creeps me out that the same mean and nasty people are suddenly so nice, and I feel like they have other motives when helping others. But I think that people in general are always busy so they have this notion of only caring about themselves. During Christmas, when they are around family, and all the christmas decors are all over, people tend to fall back in the spirit of how people should be, caring and friendly.

Answer 3

just curious, but what do you do throughout the year.....I notice you didn't list anything you do....I spent an entire year volunteering my talents painting murals on the walls and floors in a Sunday school hallway, year before that I painted 6 murals in a school lunchroom and 12 silhouettes of life size children in the lobby...no charge. I do it because I want to share...I bake for my neighbors when they are sick and I help my friends when ever they need me....I think I carry the spirit of Christmas all year long....

Thanks for answering me, your list of volunteering services are impressive.

Answer 4

once gain a seemingly innocent question raises the ire of the omnicient y&r crowd ,i'm thinking about moving to the death and carnage section i here the people are nicer there.

Answer 5

That's true, and I've seen it too. We need more people like you.