self interest

A few thoughts about self interest. 

I'll take it to mean prioritising yourself over everyone else, even during heard times. 

Yesterday my interest in this subject was piqued by an Irish author. Her nationality is only of relevance because she described her childhood as growing up in a crowded multigenerational house where "conversation was a short". I think rowdy and playful, where winning came second fiddle to having a good explain of the topic at hand. Phew! How rare is that! 

Anyway she also described an event when's a close aunty was telling her sisters that she had resigned her job. Immediately the sisters told her she had made a mistake and that she should go back and apologise and hopefully get her old job back. It appeared the sisters were ticked off because their supply of free makeup and perfumes would evaporate. The author highlighted the fact that the sisters were expressing gross self interest, they were not interested in the reasons their sister wanted to leave her job and take on a new challenge. And, guess what? We all do it. 

I've heard said that women on dating sites are drawn to men on high incomes, nice car and a solid career. Or of men preferring women of certain physical characteristics. There's nothing essentially wrong with wanting a wealthy and attractive mate, even if it's above and beyond your own situation, but it highlights how bloody self interested we are. Gees, imagine if we choose the first on the available list and tried to actually get to know them first? 

Having worked in the welfare sector i often heard workers complain that client had not said thanks, or expressed gratitude for a service. Well it's their job isn't it?  Aren't you getting paid. But it's related to reciprocity , the expectation of getting something back if you give something to someone. It's the theory advertiser's use  when they offer 'free' samples. They know this will pressure the receiver to buy something from them. 

So as you walk through your day, try to think of others without an expectation of reward.