ANSWERS: 47
  • To be completely honest, I have absolutely no idea. I guess just how we are.
  • I'm not sure about everybody, but sometimes I feel this strange sort of connection with someone. Crazy, a bit. Somtimes, when/if hanging out with them you see that they aren't as you thought, but at first you don't know that. Sometimes, when you look into someone's eyes, you see that they have so much more than you'll ever know to them. Different type of connection I guess. Some are just really caring people for different reasons. Sometimes it's because the person has been hurt and wishes no one else the same pain. Lots of reasons I guess.
  • It is easier to imagine the circumstances of strangers because our ignorance leaves a blank slate upon which to project our sympathies. Those people we know, we judge, and are often less generous in our opinion of them.
  • I find it easy to help or care for people I don't know ... unlike people that I do know ... they have never done me any harm ... and it is very gratifying to offer help to others who need it ...
  • Because it makes them feel better about themselves.
  • It's simply called, "Random Acts of Kindness". Some people are just better at it than others.
  • Do they really care? About someone they barely know? Or maybe decent people just care about people. Humans.
  • Loving people love people.
  • They want to feel loved and important.
  • they sometimes feel sorry for them and sometimes try to make them feel special and loved
  • Because I care for my mother who has alzhiemers and it makes me upset knowing she is not the person she once was. If I cared for someone I didn't know it would be different because you are not attached.
  • there is some truth to the statements here that it is easier to "love" those you do not know. that is why I get "hands on" by going to Bali and meeting the people I help. then I know their names, their hopes, their pain.
  • Personally, I think it's God working through me that makes one reach out to care or reach out to somebody I may not know.
  • Every kind act we do unto another will benefit both them, us and the world around us. Like the old saying, what goes around comes around. What does it matter if you don't know them. Just as your family and friends, they are living entitys' with a mind and soul and feelings. We are not so different, any of us.
  • because its what i do. I dont know why. Maybe i feel bad for then for not knowing me!! LOL
  • It's human nature to want to reach out and care for others, like WE ALSO want to be cared for. It's just that some people force themselves to look away so often it becomes an aweful ingrained habit.
  • I call it having a heart.
  • I don't know but that happens to me too
  • Empathy. People have the ability to imagine how they would themselves feel if they were in another person's shoes, and then they feel compassion.....not all people, but there are a lot of really nice people out there.
  • They view everyone the same way,with compassion and understanding.They realize the hopes and problems that others have.
  • I more surprised that people aren't touched by strangers' plight. How could you NOT care about the suffering of a fellow human. I feel attached to all people, they are all my family in some way. I care for those hurting and sad, I can't help it.
  • THATS WHAT MAKES PPL DECENT, ITS BECAUSE WE CARE.
  • Depends on the person. Some care due to compassion some just are nosy :)
  • i am a bit of a cynic, and i do not LIKE everyone at first sight... however, one of my good friends is really realy kind to EVERYONE he meets... to their face. it's not like he back stabs, but even if he finds someone annoying or if he really doesn't like them very much, he will still be nice to them when he sees them. personally, although i think that many ppl are just generally nice ppl who have the gift of being able to see the good in everyone, i think that a lot of times [as in the case of my friend] he wants everyone to like him and to think that he is a good guy, so i think that is why he is so kind to everyone, even if he doesn't know them very well.
  • Ultimately, none of us are separate from the whole of humanity -- this is our true nature as beings. Sometimes we're aware of this connectedness, and much of the time we're not. When we're not aware of it -- when we feel separate from others -- it seems strange that we would care about what happens to others. But when we are aware of our true nature, caring about others is quite obviously a natural expression of being ourselves. So there's nothing mysterious or mystical about it at all, and it's not a matter of "if I do good for others, I'll get good stuff", nor is it a matter of obligation or moral rule. It's just who we are, when we're being our true self. It's the notion that we're separate from others which is actually a delusion.
  • Do people really? I hate to sound cynical here, but most, if not all of it, can be reduced to narcissicm, an unconscious or conscious desire to impress others (including God) with your "goodness", gut emotional reactions as a result of "seeing" or "hearing" something that strikes you, or tax deductions. I'm not saying any of that is bad, and it's a good thing some people are doing this sort of thing, but just because the results are good doesn't mean we should necessarily always ignore the causes, or lie about what they actually are so we can put false motives on pedestals. Also, many (most) "decent" people care but don't give to charity, or actively do anything besides think about these strangers and say "awwww" every now and again. "Caring" without action is useless, especially to those that might benefit from that action. Really, if you get right down to it, can a truly "decent" person who "really" cares about others even life a normal life with the occasional leisure or luxury? The altruistic imperative is to try to work as hard as possible to make as much money as possible, no matter how thankless or joyless, and then subsequently send nearly all of that money to needy causes, keeping only what you need for basic living expenses and work, and also making sure you spend every free moment volunteering, taking downtime only for sleep and nourishment (minimizing both to maximize volunteer time). There are definite and real limits on the "caring" about others "decent" people barely know - they always care about themselves more. Which is good, healthy, natural, and human - let's not forget the value of that too, eh?
  • This is a good question, indeed, why? Especially in ancient times were people concerned with strangers. The word “hospitality” as used in the Bible is translated from the Greek word phi•lo•xe•ni´a, which is made up of two root words meaning “love” and “stranger.” Thus, hospitality essentially means “love of strangers.” However, this is not just a formality or a point of courtesy. It involves one’s feelings and affections. The verb phi•le´o, according to James Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, means “to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object], i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling).” So, hospitality goes beyond love based on principle, perhaps out of a sense of duty or obligation. It usually is an expression of genuine fondness, affection, and friendship.
  • Once we realize we are all made of the same sort of flesh, share the same planet and resource, and have common hurts and dreams, it is pretty easy to view strangers as friends we just haven't met yet.
  • Life is fragile, you do to others, as you would like done unto you.
  • One of the best parts of being a human being is our commonality with everyone, even those 'we don't know.' In one way or another, each human shares this specific form of universal wisdom, most usually hard-won or well earned, not just by the challenges of hardship, but equally understands the wisdom attained by qualities of any joy being shared. In this view, there are never strangers nor are most people 'unknown' to us. So many phrases pop up into my mind as I write this: 'There but for the grace of ...' '... don't throw the first stone ...' 'Walk in another's shoes ...' 'People who live in glass houses ...' and more. Except for our childhood years, no one really 'needs' another person to take care of them. We may be quite content to reach our own potentials, giving love, affection and care to our 'little world' and receiving these gifts in return. However, the literal world IS a human family! I believe and practice an ideal -- sometimes failing of course because of my own humanity -- that it isn't 'my job' to help others whether known or unknown to me. Its my absolute privilege! In some ways I view this with a sense of irony! Over my years, I have witnessed some people who 'talk' about love. Talk ... about wanting 'to give' and 'I would IF I had something [more] to give! GIVING is its own reward, especially when done either in silence, with no need for reciprocity and accomplished with the 'selfish' understanding that ones very own sense of personal character is on the line! I love the phrase: 'Practice random acts of kindness!' This is a daily 'duty' I take on with a gleaming, inside smile of attitude. Sometimes it may be putting that extra quarter in someone's almost expired parking meter ... sometimes picked flowers from my garden, left on a door step without a note ... sometimes a song sung on someone's answering machine (I don't leave my name) ... sometimes even small amounts of cash for the very least expecting ... some times one of my water paintings given without reward nor need for one ... Maybe its that pot of soup for that old lady down the street whose husband just passed, the children gone after the funeral. (You always meant to meet them ...) Maybe a loaf of home-made bread to a homeless person in the park (I never, ever give that 'spare extra change,' as I believe there is no such thing). Lest you think of me as only 'unrealistically altruistic,' I remember reading somewhere 'In order to get what you want, you must FIRST be willing to give it! And what do I want? A loving, cooperative world.
  • For me it's the good feeling that comes with being helpful. The smile on their face or a hug means so much...and it doesn't cost a cent to be caring.
  • Another reason is empathy, the ability to share in another's emotions,thoughts, or feelings. Oops already said. Its worth repeting.
  • The world is made better for all when even one is lifted from despair.
  • cause they love people thats why
  • The altruistic impulse. Dolphins have this too.
  • cause they like being that way, wish i knew more people like that
  • Most don't unless they are put on a spot or others know about it. People lie about how much they care.
  • a natural healthy wired in endorphin response while actively caring.
  • cause theyre decent people
  • Because they feel pain, too! I don't want anyone to hurt! Besides they are all my brothers and sisters.
  • The caring, empathetic hormone oxytocin is released and it makes the carer feel good about helping someone in need.
  • It is called compassion for others.
  • Naturally occurring compassion. for me it generates a good feeling inside me.
  • cause they care about everybody whether they know thenn or not
  • Because it feels good and restores your faith in mankind knowing someone out there cares about you
  • We are our brother's keepers.
  • We are our "brother's keepers".

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