Does being considerate mean...

(a) putting others before self;
(b) not inconveniencing others;
(c) doing what others expect you to do?

Very often, we do certain actions in the name of being considerate. But if you were to look at the above 3 explanations, don't they all fall into this same category - doing what you think is right?

To give a very simplistic example, you give up your seat to an elderly on a crowded MRT train. To you, you think that you are being considerate, putting others before yourself, not inconveniencing others (in fact, you think you're helping) and doing what you think others would expect you to do.

However to the recipient, he may want to stand as he wants some exercise. He does not expect others to give him the seat. He doesn't want the attention of being an elderly receiving a seat graciously given up by some 'considerate' dude. By imposing the scenario to him, he is in fact inconvenienced by your 'considerate' act.

So doesn't being considerate means doing what you think is right, according to your own perception? Saw the irony yet? Is the idea of being considerate becoming one that is in fact a self-centred thought?

Perhaps before you feel considerate or do a considerate act, do think carefully and ask yourself whether the recipient will really benefit from your actions or will he be inconvenienced instead (the direct opposite of the intentions of being considerate). Who really benefits from the action? The doer (feeling satisfied and proud of himself) or the recipient?

But of course, the self-righteous ones would argue that there isn't a need to think so much when doing a considerate action.

Well, this argument still sound self-centred to me. ;)