You know what this prompt makes me think of? Love Actually. When Hugh Grant, in his voice-over, talks about how love is all around us, and nowhere is it more obvious than at the airport. I don't really agree with that- my last experience at an airport was about 11 months ago, in the few days between a blizzard and a polar vortex- but I get the sentiment.
Anyway, it's hard to decide one thing that brings out the best in people. Or the good, at least. One thing I can say is that it's NOT forced volunteering. Oh, safety town 2003, never forget. Has it really been that long since I failed safety town as a 15-year-old? Damn, it must be. What's weird is that there is, no doubt, some chronicle of it in this very blog.
Ideally, I'd like to be able to answer "weddings" to this question, seeing as I've been involved in all manner of them the past few years. But that's so definitely not true. I think that goes along with the "forced" volunteering. I'm not convinced anyone really wants a wedding, or that those who do understand what it entails. Weddings are terrible. They're fine and dandy when you're a guest and if you're not involved (you know, unless you drink like twelve Manhattans and make a fool of yourself in front of people in eveningwear worth more than your month's stipend...) but actually hosting/being intimately involved in one? No. It's awful and there's pressure on you from all sides, and you never really get to do what you want, but you will spend upwards of $20,000 (average) to do those things you don't really care about. This society needs to normalise eloping right now, or at least embrace small, casual weddings. The whole "Say Yes to the Dress" thing is a nightmare. Plus, family. Why does everyone always talk about how excellent family is? The last two weddings I was in, various members of the families only contributed to making things worse.
But being around people who are friends, I guess that brings out the good. It doesn't matter much what it is specifically- a party, actual volunteering, hanging out with a few people, whatever. Being with the people you're comfortable with, who you can actually relax and be open with, that's what's good. Honesty is good. The whole wedding example sucks because you're stuck with family who doesn't actually care about or understand your viewpoint, so you can't be yourself.
Despite my cynicism, I really do think most people are good deep down. There are a whole host of reasons they don't always act good, but no one sees themselves as the villain. Even if their version of "good" is highly delusional (lookin' at you, Hitler) I don't think people want to be evil or bad or anything. They just end up getting turned into that by society and upbringing and a whole host of other things. But, at the end of the day, people want to be good. And being honest with yourself is an important step in that; but being around people you can express that with, it helps.
Anyone who is introspective for like, five minutes, probably won't end up that terrible. And people who are terrible probably have been too afraid to examine themselves from an outsider's perspective. I mean a real outsider, too, not Jesus or some make-believe person who is all hugs and forgiveness. We are flawed, yes, but so is everyone else. It's important to consider not just how we see ourselves, but how others see us. And it's good to be surrounded by people who love you and accept your flaws, but who won't pretend they aren't there or don't matter.
I think I'm rambling on something that may or may not be related to the topic. Whatever.
Be excellent to each other.