THE average Brit claims they do 730 good deeds a year – with 56 per cent of them expecting nothing in return.
Among the top acts featured in the top 50 acts of kindness are opening a door for someone, taking in a neighbour’s parcel when they are out and delivering a compliment.
Donating to charity, smiling at a passer-by on the street, letting someone with less shopping jump the queue, giving up your seat on public transport and putting someone else first also feature in the top 10.
Other displays of goodwill include sending virtual hugs, making surprise Zoom calls, cooking or baking for someone without being asked, supporting local food banks and giving away your last piece of chocolate.
Emma Eggleton, spokesperson from Kingsmill, which commissioned the research as part of its Slice of Kindness initiative to encourage people to be kind, said: “We hope that this list of everyday acts of kindness inspires others to be kind.
"It shows that even the simplest gestures can have a positive impact on someone’s day.
"It’s really uplifting to see that people view a favour or a random act of kindness as a habit for life, not just Christmas.”
The study of 2,000 adults saw other acts in the top 50 list including helping a fellow shopper to reach the top shelf in a store (41 per cent) and checking in on an elderly neighbour (30 per cent).
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Giving way while driving (40 per cent), letting your partner have a lie-in (33 per cent) and writing someone a handwritten letter or card (34 per cent) also appear.
It also emerged one in 10 Brits said they do four kind acts daily – the equivalent of 1,460 a year – but 15 per cent of those polled said they received zero favours a day.
This could be explained by the fact that 47 per cent said their acts of kindness were inspired by wanting to help those more vulnerable or less well-off.
Almost half declared being kind 'helps society at large to spread positivity' and 46 per cent said 'it gives them positive mental health' when someone is kind to them.
Similarly, 59 per cent said they felt happy after carrying out a kind act.
Nearly half of respondents (47 per cent) also felt the fallout from the Covid pandemic has made them kinder.
And more than four in 10 believe the crisis has increased their philanthropy as it made them appreciate what they have and increased their awareness that not everyone is as fortunate.
Overall, faith in humanity was clearly strong, with 64 per cent believing people are generally kind by nature while 44 per cent think kindness can make a positive, lasting difference to someone.
BRITS’ TOP 50 ACTS OF KINDNESS
1. Opening a door for someone
2. Taking in a neighbour’s parcel when they are out
3. Paying someone a compliment
4. Donating to charity
5. Saying hello/smiling at someone in the street
6. Holding the lift for someone
7. Letting someone with less shopping jump the check-out queue
8. Giving up your seat on public transport for someone you felt needed it more
9. Expressing empathy
10. Putting someone else’s needs before your own
11. Helping a fellow shopper reach the top shelf in a store
12. Giving way while driving when you didn’t need to
13. Helping someone carry luggage/a pram/parcels
14. Putting a neighbour’s bin back after rubbish collection
15. Sharing knowledge with someone who needed it
16. Giving a lift without expecting payment
17. Calling a friend/family member just to chat
18. Treating a colleague/friend to a cuppa/drink
19. Writing someone a handwritten letter/card
20. Letting your partner have a lie-in
21. Saying ‘keep the change’ to staff at a small shop/ your local pub
22. Making a tea round without being asked
23. Feeding someone’s pet while they are away
24. Giving someone your last piece of chocolate
25. Checking in on an elderly/vulnerable neighbour
26. Participating in a fundraiser
27. Wearing/using a gift someone gave you in their presence
28. Telling someone there was a bit of food in their teeth/make up on their face
29. Cooking or baking for someone without being asked
30. Supporting local food banks
31. Sharing an umbrella with someone when it’s raining
32. Sending a gift to someone you knew was having a hard time
33. Going out of your way to reunite an owner with lost valuables/wallet
34. Treating someone to breakfast in bed
35. Sharing a good recipe or restaurant recommendation with a friend/co-worker
36. Bringing food or drink for a homeless person
37. Thanking a teacher/lecturer with a gift
38. Paying for someone’s meal at a restaurant
39. Giving your time to a community cause
40. Donating Christmas gifts to an orphanage/children’s charity
41. Running a loved one a warm bath after a hard day’s work
42. Sending someone a virtual ‘hug’
43. Babysitting for a neighbour’s/friend’s children for free when they have an emergency
44. Walking someone’s dog if they were unable due to illness
45. Wearing a Christmas jumper for charity on Christmas Jumper Day
46. Writing someone a surprise note to show you care and popping it in their lunch box
47. Throwing someone a surprise party
48. Surprising someone with an unexpected video call
49. Paying for a more vulnerable/less well-off person’s shopping
50. Thanking a local community ‘superstar’
While 60 per cent of those polled via OnePoll said they were teaching their children to be altruistic too.
Parents claimed they were schooling youngsters in everything from recycling and not making fun of others, to giving up their seat on public transport for someone who needed it more and donating toys to charity.
The findings have inspired a new video by Kingsmill showing these everyday acts of kindness in action, with more to follow in the weeks counting down to Christmas.
Emma Eggleton added: “We’ve been out and about spreading a little cheer ourselves, we’ve given away our very own Kingsmill Christmas jumpers, a year’s supply of bread and we’ve even paid for someone’s weekly shop.
"Doing right by the nation’s health, our local communities and the planet has always been at the heart of everything Kingsmill does and that’s why we’re putting it first.
"Supporting Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day; teaming up with Aspire Housing for its annual toy appeal and help fund training for nurses and care-home workers close to our bakeries; these are just some of the ways we’re making a difference. We want everyone to get involved.
"This is our way of wishing everyone a very merry Christmas packed full of laughter, joy and kindness.”
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