“But What do You Mean?” is an excerpt from Deborah Tannen’s book Talking from 9 to 5 for Redbook Magazine. Tannen begins by explaining the simple business communications that ensue between people and the different ways simple business communications are interpreted by men and women. Women seem to take others feelings into consideration when speaking with them, whereas men want to one-up their position or maintain their position. These differences are divided into seven areas of miscommunication. The seven areas are: apologies, criticism, thank-yous, fighting, praise, complaints and jokes.…
The act of kindness this student performed was one she does often and without a second thought. Whenever she sees an elderly person in a grocery store that appears to be looking for something or cannot reach an item she assists in any capacity she can. Her father taught this to her as the golden rule, and it is a part of her personality makeup. Her actions could be considered altruism that is selfishness in reverse. An altruistic person, he or she is helpful and concerned even when no benefits are expected in return (Myers, 2010).…
There seems to be an inexhaustible number of reasons that one person might go out of his way to assist another. One of the more interesting of these is to give to soothe one's conscience, or to avoid the guilt that comes with not offering help when you can. Ma Joad used this reason to feed the starving children at the first Hooverville they stayed at. She looked at those kids and tried to avoid giving them food so she could feed her family. Even Uncle Tom had a hard time eating his food with those hungry children looking on. Ma eventually soothed her conscience by giving the kids the dregs of the soup kettle, though she knew she should have given the entire helping to her family, as they had less than enough themselves.…
References: Krebs, D. L. (1970). Altruism: An examination of the concept and a review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin, 73(4), 258-302. doi:10.1037/h0028987…
As people mention the virtue, generosity, they always conceive of an image of a wealthy philanthropist who donates his money to people in need. However, in my opinion, the concept of generosity exceeds the narrow connotation of giving to others, and not only can rich people become generous; rather, generosity comprises of empathy to share others’ feelings, magnanimous tolerance towards other people, and returning to them with kindness.…
Everyone, every day, has a chance to show compassion to someone in need. When people are driving down the road and see others, homeless, sitting out by the road just waiting for someone to show them a little compassion and help them out. That is a chance to show some compassion even on a small scale. I know I usually don’t take these opportunities to show compassion, but why? Why is something so simple and easy as handing a dude a dollar on the street hard for me to do? This is probably due to the fact that I don’t like to be out of my comfort zone when dealing with strangers. Who knows what this raggedy man is capable of doing. What if he isn’t even really homeless, and just looking for some easy money. In the end, this man that sits on the side of the road all day long wants the same thing as me, in the Dalai Lama “The Ethics of Compassion” the author writes “…whether fortunate or unfortunate, distant or near, they desire to be happy and not to suffer.” How would I live differently if I took the ideas of this author seriously?…
Singer argues that many people are not willing to put aside their wants, and make a sacrifice to help impoverished children. Now, evolutionary psychologists tell us that human nature just is not sufficiently altruistic to make it plausible that many people will not sacrifice so much for stranger (327). This statement saddens me, because what if that is your or your family, and somebody thought of you all strangers, and would not want to help your family out of poverty? Singer then explains that we ought to do things that predictably most of wouldn’t (327). Majority feel that if does benefit them in the end then why bother. Honestly, donating will benefit you it makes you feel like a better person, and you have helped an individual in need. Sometimes you should sacrifice your wants for others needs. As singer states the life of a child is more important then going to fancy restaurants, the next time you dine out know that you could…
We live in a world of opportunity. Everyone deserves an opportunity, but, unfortunately, not everybody gets one. For those who are less fortunate, receiving donations may be the only way they get by in life. There are many high schools, clubs and organizations that sponsor charity drives in exchange for incentives. The fact that such events are helping those who are in need makes it clear that people can be good, but that sometimes they just need to be persuaded a little.…
In my current role at Palm Beach Count Food Bank, I have the opportunity to feed people in need. I would love to continue to volunteer on a regular basis, because it changes me, and me perspective. We tend to think of what is not going right in our lives, but when we are intentional about putting others first, a thankful heart starts to develop. For that reason, I think it is crucial to be selfless and focus on the needs of others. I am not saying to neglect one’s needs of family, but to take time to acknowledge all the blessings the Lord has given to us in order to bless others. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10,…
People are selfish by nature, however we have demonstrated times of great sacrifice when such sacrifice is needed. Helping other people is an act most of us perform without even thinking about it. For centuries neighbors have help other neighbors, families have helped other family members and internationally, governments have given other countries’ governments advice, food, medical care, military help or financial support. We live in a country that has always been there for other countries that have needed our help whether they have wanted it or not. Have you ever thought about how selfless Americans are in a time of war or great national tragedy and how selfish we are in times of peace? This might be because in times of peace we are so involved…
What is generosity? To some, it's giving more than you have to individuals that might need it more than you do. To others, it's trying to make people smile, or make someone's day a little bit brighter. Being generous does not mean that you have to give money, sometimes you just have to give time and attention. Every person has a different definition of what it means. Anne Frank states that "No one has ever become poor by giving." Is that because being generous makes your heart feel rich? Frank A. Clark says "Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never notice." If no one ever acknowledges when someone does a considerate deed for them, why does generosity spread? In this day and age, people broadcast…
Nina Hagen who is a German singer once said “Do some selfless service for people who are in need. Consider the whole picture, not just our little selves.” There have been a lot of people who have committed some selflessness acts though out our history. Rosa Park refused to move to the back of the bus she stood up for the rights of African-Americans. Then there is the selflessness of people giving kidneys and bone marrow to others while they are alive. Even though the surgery could kill them, they are willing to sacrifice their lives in a major act of selflessness. Cameron Lyle a 21-year-old college athlete gave up his shot put career to donate bone marrow to a complete stranger that was given only months to live. He sacrificed his own life and dreams to save the life of another person he didn’t even know. Parents also show major acts of selflessness for their children. Parents sometimes have more than one job so they can be able to provide better things for their children. Police officers show an abundance of selflessness by saving people’s lives or sometimes buying clothes and shoes for underprivileged children. The people who run homeless shelters and nonprofit companies show selfless acts by donating items and services to people in need. These people get nothing in return for their good deeds in helping out people who are less…
Should humans receive incentives for charitable acts? This question has been controversial over the last few years. Many people have seen an issue with this, believing that receiving incentives could send a morally wrong message but is that the case for everyone? I believe that wrongdoings sends a morally wrong message and not helping out the less fortunate is as much as a wrongdoing as not helping your fellow brethren. Helping others is good for one's own soul and others as well; it gives us a sense of hope and belonging. Whether it's to fulfill one's own selfish needs or to truly help out others; the motive doesn't matter because the outcome is always the same. People should be for receiving incentives because the gains outweigh the losses.…
An arbitrary act of kind behavior is a supposedly altruistic act accomplished by an individual or humans looking to either commit a hand or cheer up a human or in a few events it exerts to creatures. There will typically be no cause other than to induce the smile of the people, or be more pleased. Either impulsive or deliberate, random acts of kindness are promoted by several societies. Ann Herbert (1982), a renowned peace militant of California, supposedly composed on a placemat in a restaurant “Exercise random acts of kindness and pointless acts of beauty.” The phrases left a depression on an associate diner, who afterwards broadcast the word to other people. The word energized much idea and treatment, including the film “Pay it forward” (2000). The movie was a great hit and acted a prominent part to sling this conception as well.…
For some people they have the best life and get everything they need and want for themselves. For some people on the other hand they don't have it that way and get the short end of the stick. For the people you see and help It comes straight from the heart because they don't have it easy and from me to them I realize that by helping them just a little it could jumpstart them to a fresh life and show them we care. I realize that I have as much as I need and I always ask my parents for money and to go out places but some people don't even have homes or food to provide and eat. By helping out a needing hand it makes me realize that I don't need everything in the world and it should help other people realize to that by looking at the life you have if you're rich or wealthy to help someone in need is the right thing to do and what I like doing best.…