The More You Know About People: More Cynical or the more Compassionate?

Question

The More you know about people, how people are and what not. I mean really seeing and hearing people! The more cynical you become or the more compassionate you become about people? I gotta say I become more cynical. I know not everyone is "crappy" and I don't hate anyone! But I do tend to lean more towards the cynical side. Just wanna be left alone kind of thing.

I don't what it is, just what I do. . . Maybe I try and fix that. . .

But what about you? The more compassionate or the more cynical?

Answer 1

Initially I became more cynical then I've since discovered that most folks are doing the best they can - the rest should have been aborted before birth.

Cynical? Compassionate? Realist? All of the above?

Answer 2

I worked in an office for many years and did not have hardly any contact with the public. Then I decided after awhile to take a service job - I work at a postal outlet. Since then I have come to the conclusion that the public are rude and impatient and generally not nice, and it has made me more cynical about them. Generally, in all of my long life, I have met thousands of people and the interaction has been good, but when you have to provide a service for them it is a whole different story. They become different people and their credo is "the customer is always right" and they talk to you in the most alarming manner. I just try to smile and be polite back and when they leave I go in the back and scream, (or I would like to - lol). I try to be compassionate and think well maybe they are just having a bad day, but it adds up when it happens so often that I am losing my compassionate feelings for them.

On another note, I do feel compassion for people - when they are homeless, or are in a bad circumstances through no fault of their own - like a flood or fire or snowstorm or whatever.

so I guess I am cynically compassionate, or is that compassionately cynical?

I don't know. I do like people and like interacting with them.
Really.

Answer 3

I think when I came to the realization that anyone is capable of anything then I stopped being quite as cynical because I stopped having any expectations about anything from anyone. And in turn I believe that I have become more compassionate and understanding. For me being cynical came from being disappointed by others actions, but it's hard to be disappointed if you don't really expect anything...

Answer 4

I'm not a cynic that is for sure.I try to be more understanding of people and their issues. With understanding also comes compassion because just like the saying"there but for the grace of God".We can never know why other people are like they are but even when they show us the worst in themselves we don't have to stop believing that most people are good people.Most people are ordinary people who live unremarkable lives(have a family ,work hard ,honest and try their best every day).If we stop believing in good people it is like giving up on life. I believe in myself and I believe in others.It costs nothing to be kind to others so why be a cynic?