Everyone looks out for themselves

I've just been browsing a few sites and came across this, over at positivelypositive.com:

"Anything that anyone does to you, is NOT about you, it is about the other person/people and where THEY are."

Right? If someone says something offensive to you, it's because of them and how they feel, not who you are. Plus, if someone does something to help you, sure it's partly because they like you and want you to be happy, but it's also partly for them.

I remember my A Level psychology teacher telling the class that there is no true altruism and that by the time we had finished his course he'd make us all as cynical as him. Well, I think he managed that because I don't think there is true altruism. I mean, yes, people do things for each other because they want that person to be happy. But is it really completely selfless? I mean, look at that sentence - people do things for each other because they want that person to be happy. They care about that person, so they do something caring for them, but even if they think they are being selfless, they aren't. Because if that person is happy, they're happier - making the person happy therefore relieves their own suffering. Plus, there are probably countless studies about how giving to charity or helping people makes people feel good. But we know that already.

My point is, there is no true altruism, at least on a subconscious level. My other point, the one that I started off with and managed to deviate from, is that once you realise that people's actions are always based at least partially on their own feelings and needs, you'll be more understanding and empathetic of them, and less offended - and therefore, happier.