Altruism Is a Selfless Act. So Why Did Helping a Stranger Leave Me Feeling So Foolish?

Altruism Is a Selfless Act. So Why Did Helping a Stranger Leave Me Feeling So Foolish?

Martin Love author of “Altruism is a selfless act. So why did helping a stranger leave me feeling so foolish?” recounts a story of how he was left feeling after an act of altruism.

He states he gave a stranger £200 as an act of altruism. However, this altruistic act has left him with his family calling him gullible and taken advantage of. Here is his story about Brandon the hitchhiker:

“I spotted a man with a rucksack and his thumb out. I pulled over and lowered the window. “Which way are you heading?” I asked. “I’m going back to London.” “Ah, that would be grand,” came his immediate reply. He opened the door and hefted his backpack on to the back seat. “I’m Brendan,” he said with an easy smile and a rich Irish brogue. “I was getting a bit desperate. I’ve had my thumb out for a day and half. Nobody seems to stop these days.”

Brendan told me how he came to be waiting for a lift on that particular evening, and also about the two recent family tragedies that had devastated him and pushed him out of his old life and on to the road. “These three lads in Birmingham took my other pack and it had all my money and paperwork in it. I’ve been sleeping out since then. I haven’t eaten in days. I’m hoping to get some casual work in London, so I can then get myself home to Ireland.”

I had an idea. “Why don’t I just drop you at the airport now?” I said. “I’ll buy you a ticket and you can fly home.” “That’s so kind of you,” came his smooth reply, “but they took my ID as well.” “Ah! And how much will a new one be?” “It’s £92,” he said without hesitation. To my astonishment I heard myself say: “Well, I’ll get you £200, Brendan.” “Grand,” he replied, without a blink. Then, after a pause, “and please don’t worry. I’ll definitely wire you the money when I get home.” He took my phone number and said he’d call as soon as he could to arrange the transfer. In that moment, I honestly believed he would.

Martin never heard back from the hitchhiker and never got his money back.

Discussion: Altruism is often stated to be mutually beneficial, and there is a wealth of scientific data to support this claim. Additionally, doing good deeds can dramatically improve your sense of well-being. However, since altruism is an act of selflessness, should we expect others to return the kindness? Take for instance “pay it forward” acts. Sometimes people buy coffee for the next person in line. Often wanting to see if the train of kindness continues through several people repeating the act. However, what if the next person in line takes the coffee and doesn’t pay it forward for the next person. Should they be seen in a negative connotation when they didn’t ask for the stranger in front to pay? It gets you thinking.

Reflection: When we do acts of altruism, should we expect the other party to return the kind act?

Read full article here

#Altruism #Story #Altruistic #Self