Selling Charity

It puzzles me when I see people get mad for not getting anything, no gratitude, no compensation, in return after helping someone else. To help people is to do something they need for no return. If compensation of any from is expected, it is not help but service rendered. I help people because I want to help them. If I do not want to help them, then sorry I am watching TV. It all comes from my desires, therefore the people I help owe me nothing. Now, if I do not want to help but is enticed to do something, then I am hired. For that I better get compensation, in a simple thanks or a large sum of money. Following this line of logic, to say, “I help without expect anything in return,” is not only redundant but also borderline on being hypocritical. If no return is truly expected, then why say it? Is it to get praises from others for altruism? Or, is it to let others know that the return you expected did not arrive? Return should not even factor in. There is an old term in Chinese for this expectation of gratitude: selling charity 市恩. It is a very accurate description. Unfortunately, that is how most people “help” others.