Ryan Ginstrom wrote:

> " Louise Bremner" <dame_zumari@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > My speculation was that everyone is issued a certain amount of
> > *something* (which I thought of as *politeness* but your *kindness*
> > seems to fit just as well), and it's up to the individual to use that
> > *something* has s/he sees fit (different individuals will, of course, be
> > issued different amounts of this *something*).
> >
> > In which case, it does make sense to avoid wasting this *something* on
> > complete strangers--far better to invest it in situations that reap the
> > best advantage from the individual's point of view....
> >
> > Or have I drunk too much wine?
>
> I think that pretty much sums it up -- a scarcity-based view of kindness
> (there's only a certain amount so use it wisely), versus an abundance-based
> view (cast your bread upon the waters). That Jesus dude was quite the
> revolutionary, wasn't he?

It's easy enough for someone who can create food out of nothing, had a
substantial following and sponsors to provide lodging and financial support, to
say we should give to all who ask or to help all in need. If other people could
do that, they'd help people, too. I was just thinking last week that Jesus was
homeless and a freeter.

> Of course, to say there are no kind Japanese is an overstatement. Lots of
> people truly are kind to their fellow man, and in a way it's even more
> admirable, since they are kind out of their own natures and personally
> arrived-at beliefs, rather than through some kind of cultural indoctrination
> and Pavlovian gratification one gets through being kind.
>
> Another thing that's kind of a puzzler is that while most Japanese aren't
> really *kind* in the Western sense, they are very honest. That might be part
> of the reason why they are so easy to dupe and scam.

This refers to naive, a belief or expectation that everyone else is honest like
most people used to be but no longer are. Kind of how Japanese expect the world
to simply live in peace, lay down their weapons and settle all problems by
talking them out, or thinking that SDF personnel can be sent to Iraq and not be
in danger anywhere.

> Those mujin vegetable
> stands are a good example. There aren't many places in the US where one of
> those stands wouldn't get robbed blind.

Non urban Hawaii is one. The equivalent of cases of fresh fruit get left on
tables on the roadside with the understanding it should be paid for. In
addition to apparently not being robbed, the food is not stolen, either.

> Of course, they are vanishing in
> Japan as well, but even in cities you can still find them. The wallet thing
> is another example. If Japanese are only kind when they see personal gain,
> then why are they honest when there is no immediate, pragmatic reason to be
> so?
>
> --
> Regards,
> Ryan Ginstrom