The average Brit does just 12 good deeds a month – three of which are in the hope of getting something in return, according to a study.
Researchers who polled 2,000 adults discovered the most common are holding a door open and taking in a neighbour’s parcel.
Helping someone carry their bags, letting another driver out of a junction and putting the kettle on also made the list.
Other regular kind gestures include checking up on someone if they seem upset, babysitting for a friend or giving up a seat on a bus or train.
The research also revealed almost half Brits say a lack of time prevents them from doing more good deeds.
Those who do find time said the ‘warm, fuzzy feeling’ they get after doing a nice thing lasts more than a day, on average.
Laura McIntosh from Whitworths, which commissioned the research to launch its Do Good Feel Good campaign, said: “We lead busy lives, but it’s important to find the time to do good deeds for others and help people out.
“That’s why we’re challenging the nation to give it a shot and do a good deed, whether giving up a seat on public transport, letting someone out in traffic or simply saying hello to a shop assistant.
”Not only does it brighten their day, but it will also make you feel good too, so it’s a win-win for everyone!”
Although three quarters of Brits said they often do nice things for other people, just 63 per cent reckon they are the sort of person who does ‘good deeds’.
Two-thirds are most likely to do kind things for family members, and nearly half will do so for friends.
But less than one in 10 will more typically carry out thoughtful gestures for strangers in need.
The research also found one quarter will help out their community by attending sponsored events and one fifth will volunteer their time for local school or church events.
When thinking about the last time they did a good deed, three in 10 said they have done something nice for someone else in the last week, but one in 20 haven’t done so for a month or longer.
Yet 85 per cent reckoned they could do more ‘good deeds’, with one fifth saying they don’t do more because they have enough of their own problems.
Four in 10 don’t have the money to do more good deeds, with 44 per cent saying they don’t have the time.
And more than two fifths agreed they only really do good deeds for others in the hope their kindness will be reciprocated.
The study also found 68 per cent think good deeds often go unnoticed by people around them.
And just half said others will do nice things for them.
One quarter said neighbours often do ‘good deeds’ for them, with one third being on the receiving end of a thoughtful gesture from work colleagues.
Just one in 10 would describe themselves as being more mean spirited than kind hearted, with two-thirds agreeing the opposite is true for themselves.
Laura McIntosh added: “We carried out this research as part of a campaign to encourage people to Do Good and Feel Good.
”We’ll be doing our own acts of kindness over the next fortnight so keep an eye out for our Whitworths Shots team who will be rewarding people for doing good, with free samples of Whitworths Shots as well as plenty of treats and surprises, making them feel good too.”
Top 30 most common good deeds:
1. Hold a door open for someone
2. Take in a neighbour’s parcel
3. Ask a loved one about their day
4. Let someone have your seat on the train / bus
5. Give someone a lift
6. Let another driver out of a junction
7. Help someone carry their bags
8. Check on someone who seems upset, to find out why
9. Donate to charity
10. Make a colleague a cup of tea
11. Bought someone a gift for no particular reason
12. Say sorry for something even if it wasn’t your fault
13. Babysit for a friend or family member
14. Give someone a cuddle if they look like they need it
15. Sponsor someone
16. Taught an older person how to use some technology
17. Organised a family day out
18. Paid for a family meal
19. Offer to help with someone’s work
20. Checked in on someone who is unwell
21. Look after a friend’s pet
22. Give hand-me-down clothing to friends or family
23. Telling someone they have something on their face or in their teeth
24. Popping to the shops for someone who is ill
25. Donate old clothing, toiletries etc to the homeless
26. Written a thank you note for a present
27. Help out an animal in need
28. Allowed a driver to merge into your lane
29. Treating a friend to dinner
30. Help someone move house