Does kindness still matter?

Even when people only know you on yahoo don't you think it speaks well of you to show respect to others? They may never meet you but I think it is important for you yourself to know you are a nice person. Poppy

Anonymous2009-10-20T13:39:30Z

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Well said, my dear friend. Very well said, indeed. The image that we hold of ourselves is what makes our life worth living.

Illicit Awltruist2009-10-20T20:12:53Z

I think its essentioal. When you are answering a question and speaking directly to a person, you should choose your words carefully to be respectful, especially if you are aware that you have a lot more knowledge, life experience, maturity, etc. than the other person. You should not take advantage of your age, or specific training that is making you a valuable resource. In fact, if you aren't kind, and offer advice in a helpful, respectful way, its going to be lost to the world.

On the other hand, when you are just trying to be funny, or answering a question that is mainly there for amusement, not for real, then its OK to be flip, and maybe sarcastic, but not in a personal way, and when you give an off the wall answer it should be directed to the community, not to the individual.


That's my view, and fewer people would get upset and offended if we all had just a little more empathy for the babes in the woods on here.

Ladybuggram2009-10-20T14:01:51Z

Very well said, Poppy. Kindness makes us feel better inside, it makes other people happy. If we have a bitter attitude, it shows. I only hope people who are on Yahoo/ Answers are not as bitter in real life aa here. I hate to think of someone so unhappy. Bitterness and anger are hard on a person's body and can lead to severe health problems and depression. A light heart doeth good...not quite sure that is the saying. Kindness goes a long way.A smile and a kind word might makes someone's day.

?2009-10-20T14:57:03Z

Now more than ever.
Especially in this new era of distancing relationships behind computers, e-mails, texting, etc.
http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_kindness.html
Here's a few quotes on "kindness from that link...
1-When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.
2-Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.
3-There is always a way to be honest without being brutal. (My Fav)
4-Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.

And never mistake "kindness" for "weakness." People have done than & been surprised at how much strength can lie behind a kind person's demeanor.

wasacon2009-10-20T15:08:28Z

Kindness does matter, usually above all else. When a doctor says "you have cancer" isn't it the kindness or the bedside manner that makes it tolerable to hear? A trip to the store can be so pleasant when others are kind, yet can ruin your day when 1 nasty person makes themself known to you. Here on YA, I have often marveled at the gentle and thoughtful support and information that good posters offer to total strangers on this site and particularly in this section. Perhaps that is why we take it so hard when someone comes in here and is so very rude; or another poster tries to tell us that our kindness and civility is breaking the rules and is offensive to him.

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