Rare are the people who choose to be selfless without expecting the slightest reciprocity. In other words, we ruin the purpose of engaging in kindness altogether because of our selfishness.

This is precisely my problem with many many people. The reciprocity of "gift giving" and other such nonsense. I tend to be a little more utilitarian with gifts that are given to me... not using the items that aren't useful or not wearing the sweater I think is uncomfortable or not keeping the gaudy trinkets relatives think my 5 year old daughter should just love...

And it bothers the heck out of so many people. They accuse me of being Mean to them because I don't acquiesce to their vision of who I or my family should be.

However... there is something to be said for the "Elwood P. Dowd Philosophy" in Harvey: