Doing something nice for a "selfish" or self-serving reason doesn't cancel out the fact that you did a nice thing. Unless you tell them, nobody knows your motivation behind doing the nice thing.
It makes no difference to them.
Bring home-baked goods to a gathering so people compliment your food and tell you how incredible at baking you are. Donate to charity to impress people. Smile and be kind and polite so people like you. Compliment people in the hopes they'll compliment you back. Help someone pick up their things because it makes you feel like the main character. Let a stressed parent with crying children cut ahead of you in line because you just want the loud kids to be gone as soon as possible.
People don't know why you did it.
People do know what you did.
People know you brought home-baked goods to a gathering. Charity got a donation. People know you were smiling and kind and polite to them. People know they got a compliment. People know someone helped them pick up their things. The parent knows you did a kind thing for them.
Whether you do it selflessly or self-servingly, your action doesn't change, nor does its impact.
Not doing nice things because you "just want something in return so it's selfish" is worse than doing nice things for self-serving reasons.
Putting good vibes out into the world because you want to pretend you're a dashing and chivalrous young lad whose wealthy family tragically passed leaving you to inherit the mysterious family mansion and all the men admire you and all the ladies talk about what an honest, good young man you are and all the nonbinaries get gender envy from you and the unlabeled and agender folks just think you're really cool and everyone attracted to men fancies you is good and harmless and fun.
You've heard of Spiderman: Homecoming, Spiderman: Far From Home, and Spiderman: No Way Home, but may I introduce you to:
Spiderman: Please Just Let Me Go Home
A movie in which Peter Parker keeps finding himself with task after task after chore after chore after errand after errand to do while he keeps trying to escape and go home so he can watch tv in his pajamas
Y'all ever read a really good fic and lie on your bed making that squeal/whine noise in the back of your throat hugging a pillow while tears in the corners of your eyes dry because oh god it was so good and
Remus, nervous: Hey, uh... I drew Thomas...
Drawing: Non-creepy, realistic, black and white portrait of Thomas
Patton, eyes lighting up: Oh my goodness, kiddo, that's so good! You're a really talented artist!
Logan: You drew that? It's really good.
Thomas, pointing at it excitedly: That's me! That's so good! Oh my god
Janus: That's very impressive. You should be proud.
Virgil: Yeah, that's really good, dude. *kinda awkward but supportive thumbs-up*
Remus, eyes full of tears, turning to Roman: *whisper* Is this what it's like?
Roman: *solemnly sets hand on his shoulder*
Roman: Welcome to the 'I'm-Going-To-Keep-Creating-To-Chase-This-High-I-Get-From-Praise' Club.
Remus: Who else is in it?
Roman: All creators that crave validation. So... A helluva lot of people.
Okay, yeah, cool, "I find your lack of faith disturbing" and all that, but dude. Ani. My guy. These guys don't know the Jedi ways. Of course they have no faith in it.
I mean, the most of The Force they've seen is you strangling a guy, which you could do with your hands, or a rope, if you weren't a drama queen. You're the force-user, the trained-to-be-Jedi on the ship. If you want them to have faith in you, you gotta explain The Force and the Jedi ways, and their power, because they have no way to educate themselves on it.
How about instead of killing people, you make a powerpoint and sit them down and tell them why they should have faith.
Janus: *checks Limoncello bottle*
Janus: The only ingredient here is FD & C Yellow #5
Logan: They don't put alcohol on the ingredients list.
Janus: It doesn't even say there's lemon.
Logan: The lemon was likely brewed with the alcohol.
Janus: *sips Limoncello*
Janus: *wrinkles nose*
Janus: It certainly tastes like yellow.
Logan: *dies laughing*
Between Remus and his complicated relationship with Patton, Janus probably hasn't slept in eight years
Me: Alright, one last try. Sapnap. Sap. Nap.
My brain: SMAPMAP :DDDD
Me: I fucking give up—
Me: Okay, let's go through this again. Spell his name?
My brain: S-A-P-N-A-P.
Me: And how do you say his name?
My brain: Sap-Nap.
Me: Again, slower.
My brain: Sap. Nap.
Me: Good. Now, what's his name?
My brain: Hehehe Snapnap
Me: NO
There'd be panic because people are so attached to it lmao the point is it's not canon but yet it's accepted as canon
Not to mention all the fics and art that would have to be altered with his new name although a lot people haven't even done that for Janus so they might not
Can you imagine the absolute chaos if Thomas confirmed Sleep's name and it wasn't Remy
Cats are SUPPOSED to stay inside, because it's safer for them and the wildlife so don't listen to anyone that tries saying anything. Also why was the doggo just looking inside if he can go in?
Also also, do you mind turning anon on?
We put her outside to run around because she was being rambunctious, she's back inside now
Also I didn't know it wasn't! Thanks for telling me— I think I fixed it, would you mind telling me if I have?
Janus, black veil attached to his bowler hat: This is so sad. I'll miss my husband so much.
Virgil: There's still blood on your hands. You obviously killed him.
Janus: So incredibly sad that my wealthy husband has died.
Virgil: You— This is so suspicious. How does nobody else find this incredibly suspicious?
Patton, hugging Janus: Shhh. He's grieving.
Logan, patting Janus's back: Shhh. He's single.
He/they (both equally good)I love asks, requests, general interaction, and stuff like that!Mostly various fandom stuff, I'm just having a good time and enjoying myselfI hope I can make you smile :)
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