Response to Julia on people not helping you even if you help them

            I have found that when I have needed help from people that they have been there for me. I have never been in such a serious need that I was in danger or anything like that, but I have had small things. For example, I don’t like to compete in breast stroke because it requires certain movement that aggravates my hip dysplasia and when my coach, not realizing the situation, decided to put me in a breast stroke race I found someone willing to take my place even though they had already done three races. Also, my dog had elbow dysplasia (it’s rather odd luck that we have the same health issue) and after the surgery she couldn’t do certain things like climb stairs for six months. I had to sleep on the floor with her every night because I had agreed with my parents that once I got her I was completely responsible for her care. (This was not in the traditional learning to take responsibility way. I used to help my aunt with her six dogs and my parents had no experience with dogs at the time.)My mother offered to take some nights even though she did not have to. I have also had simple things like when someone offers to help teach me a concept if I don’t understand. It is very pessimistic to think that nobody will help you when you need help and if you believe this you might lose the inclination to help others. If people are basically uncaring and bad, then it seems worthless to try and help them. It is worth noticing the little things people do to help. People do seem disinclined to give money to a large degree, but this does not mean they will not help in other situations. I do agree that people tend to help each other out when they can do so with little risk to themselves, but this is mostly true when they can see the individual they are helping and see that their help has had an impact. When someone gives money to a homeless person, as we noted that they often do not do, it may be because they cannot see their work in action. That may be a sign that people do not want to help unless they get the gratification from seeing the reactions of others, or it could be we are inclined to help people we see receive the help because that way we know we have really helped.     

            Do you find people are more inclined to help people if they can see the beneficiary react to their help?