A follow-up on my comments on KFC's article Random Acts Of Kindness where I pointed out how there were times I wish I had not been so kind to help some people. I decided to use a recent example of how one down random (and maybe not so random) kindness sometimes backfires making it hard to wanna do it again.

Here at my job, most of my co-workers seem to get along pretty good if not good enough to work together to maintain a high standard of quality and quantity of work. There is usually a loud comedy atmosphere as we all try to keep ourselves from getting overwhelmed by our work. Joking around (somewhat respectfully) and messing with each other keeps us all relaxed and in a good mood most of the time. But there is no denying that there are some that the good humor is more of a cover for some dislike towards some of their fellow workers (silly reasons if you ask me, but alas) just to be able to have a decent working environment and a calm boss.

As for me, being the only guys who is at the same level as all my co-workers (since my boss is a guy but he's the boss and the only other guys is deaf-mute and wheelchair bound, he does not engage in our daily bashing and joking routine), it's not easy to have to watch every word I say so as to not offend any or all the ladies I work with. I am always nice, caring and tend to go out of my way to do things for them because that is who I am. But there are instances when my kindness has limits and I avoid putting myself in situations when I am usually being nice simply because my kindness has backfired.

Here's what happened, for the past few days I had been offering to bring others lunch since I was going out to get lunch for myself. I figured "why not? I'm a nice guy, I'll do them the favor". Well the first time I had quite a few orders to bring, but, all went well and I was able to bring all their orders. The second time I was asked if going out and said yes. This time I had twice as many orders, I actually had to sit at one of the tables, pull out all the money and calculate the prices so that I did not have to place several individual orders but instead 1 big one. I even when out of my way to separate all the orders in separate bags per person. Well yesterday I was asked, again, if I was going out. I said i couldn't cause I was carless and was depending on others kindness for lunch. They decided to order delivery and I wanted a sandwich but found myself lunchless when they failed to ask me what I wanted and went and ordered before I knew. I played it cool and said it was no big deal but was actually a bit upset that I was forgotten about after all the times I went out of my way and wasted my gas and lunch time for them. I decided I was only gonna get lunch for them when I felt like it and would only offer to a couple of them.

One should never expect anything in return for an act of kindness, but that does not mean others should ignore or forget about you when you are the one in need. That was unfair and hurtful. This was a situation where I overdid it and ended up with negative results. You live and you learn.

This is just one of many situaions where I will not excercise kindness again because in the end I am human and I look for at least a positive results of my actions not to get screwed in the process for being nice.