The Japanese have this term “intoku (陰徳)” which roughly translates to good deeds done in secret. What are some examples of intoku in your own life? Doesn’t matter even if it’s something minor like picking up trash.

  • Uriel238 [all pronouns]
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    7 hours ago

    I pick up dog poop left by dogs other than mine. And I do it in the name of comnunism and the end of monarchy.

  • antlion@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    13 hours ago

    On hiking trails, I move rocks and branches, and fix drainage at water bars. Tiny improvements which make the trail easier for all who follow.

    In my neighborhood, I pick up trash. Usually I go until I have filled a grocery bag, about 30 minutes. Though people do notice it so it’s only partly secret/anonymous.

  • callouscomic@lemm.ee
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    10 hours ago

    I don’t murder all the time when no one’s around to notice. You’re welcome to everyone.

  • Kit
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    17 hours ago

    There’s an outdoor cabinet in my neighborhood that is used as a food bank. I fill it to the brim weekly with shelf-stable food. I was formerly homeless and know what it’s like to go hungry, and I work hard to ensure that no one in my neighborhood has to go to bed hungry.

  • cheers_queers@lemm.ee
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    18 hours ago

    one time years ago i paid for the guy behind me at McDonald’s. he then proceeded to follow me all the way home to thank me. i haven’t done it again. lpt: if someone does that for you, just fuckin pay it forward so you don’t scare the crap out of a 21 year old.

    now I’m a school custodian and i go out of my way in little ways, like watering/turning plants in the classrooms, etc. I’m not sure if they notice but it makes me feel good ☺️

  • ReiRose@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    If someone’s card declines I act like absolutely nothing happened and let them have their purchase for free. (Inflight drinks and snacks)

    • happysplinter@lemmy.world
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      16 hours ago

      This is beautiful. I always bring candy for flight staff when I’m on a plane. Not an unseen kindness, but it makes everyone happier.

  • MajorHavoc@programming.dev
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    19 hours ago

    Maybe doesn’t count for this thread, but I love donating supplies to local school rooms, because I sometimes get hand-drawn thank-you cards.

    I’ve put those hand-drawn thank-yous in a drawer to be specially part of my kid’s inheritance - as a reminder for them of what really matters in life.

  • Plum@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    I preload one or two gumball machines with quarters at the laundromat for nosy bored kids stuck there with their parent. I was that bored kid once, and now I’m at a place where I can give back a bit… I’ll also try to win toys at the claw machine and leave them in the bottom, but the success rate is bad.

  • Ludrol@szmer.info
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    1 day ago

    Contributing to open street map. I have mapped over 400 benches that I won’t sit on.

    I just like an idea that someday someone will ask a map “where is a closest bench?” And it will just show it.

    Most things I don’t help in secret tho.

  • Bleeping Lobster@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago
    • If I see a freezer / fridge door open in a supermarket, I close it. Not for the supermarket, but for the planet

    • as someone who stacked shelves as a teen, if I take an item and it leaves a gap, I pull the next one forward so the employee doesn’t have to keep fussing over the manager’s demand for it to be lined up

    • my dad lives in a bungalow, on a small cul de sac of other bungalows. Sheltered housing for old folks. Litter often gets blown in and collects, I’ll pick it up every couple of weeks. Also cleared their paths / sprinkled salt when It snowed

    • when old people are in the way, I don’t crowd up behind them. I’ll take a few steps back and wait so they don’t feel pressured

    • if there’s an item in the road that could damage someone’s car, I’ll wait until it’s safe then remove the item

    • if I see someone was down voted just for sharing their opinion (assumedly because the down voter is too childish to withstand an opposing opinion), I make sure to up vote it in an attempt to restore balance. Even if I don’t agree with said opinion (obviously this doesn’t apply to hateful rhetoric etc)

    Prob a ton of other little things I can’t remember. Thanks for making this post!

    • Schal330@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      I’m so glad I’m not the only one that upvotes people being down voted for their opinion - provided it isn’t hurtful to others. I don’t want to find myself in an echo chamber, so I feel it’s important for other opinions to be thrown into the ring.

  • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
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    21 hours ago

    which roughly translates to good deeds done in secret.

    It seems like posting what I do would violate the intent of “intoku” and it would thereby no longer be a “when nobody is watching”.

    I’m won’t disclose what I do. However, I’ll say that by not taking credit for any of my positive actions, it lets society take credit for the actions. It means someone doesn’t have to have me or someone like me in their lives, but rather all of us will help you. The person that did the small thing or the hero that saved you from ruin could be right next to you in line at the grocery store. I want everyone to have that feeling that some rando will have your back when you need it in some minor or major way.

    The only way that happens is if I never talk about what I do to help. Thats a very small price to pay if it means someone else gets to feel the comfort of knowing others care about them.

    • Opinionhaver@feddit.ukOP
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      8 hours ago

      I’d say that confessing a good deed anonymously online barely violates the intent of intoku. You don’t really get any credit for it because nobody will remember.

  • HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com
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    24 hours ago

    I take a loose cart from the lot if one is nearby as I go into the store. I used to have a dog that was pretty good off leash and would have the claw poop grabber and a bucket and would grab any other discarded things as I walked around a park. I was actually a bit conflicted as I could not seperate recyclables and it would all go in the trash but still felt that was better than strewn around the park. Unfortunately my current dog is not that well behaved (and sometimes I had to stop when someone complained about my off leash dog as then I did not have two hands free to casually work the claw and bucket and would instead have to combine them in one hand). I live in a condo complex and my neighbors and I get each others mail. I am always really on the lookout for things I can do that are really convenient that help or improve a place. I hate facebook but get on it to tell folks its slippery on the sidewalks or whatnot.