What benefits can people get if they are self-centered?

I think self-centered people, those who are preoccupied with themselves, are more likely to get what they want, at least in the short term because they know what they want in the first place and they tend to do anything in their power to attain it.

For instance, they receive the attention they desire from their peers. However, such people, except for some special, and perhaps one can say joyful types, tend to share one trait, which is either ignoring the feelings of those around them or perhaps lacking empathy, and so in the long term, overly self-centered egotistical individuals may find it hard to build friendships, unless though, that person becomes really successful, then I’m sure they’ll carry with them an entourage of companions, partners, and friends.

• preoccupied with 关注
• in the first place 首先
• do anything in their power 尽力
• attain 获得
• joyful 欢乐的
• trait 特点
• ignoring the feelings of 忽略……的感受
• lacking empathy 缺乏同理心
• egotistical 自傲的
• find it hard to 发现……很困难
• build friendship 建立友谊
• entourage 随从

Do you think people are more selfish or self-centered now than in the past?

I think generally people have become less selfish over the years.

In the past, people seemed more selfish as a result of limited resources. When you don’t have much at your disposal, you are more concerned about your own affairs.

These days, however, as everyone is more affluent and has access to more resources, they’ve become more aware of others and are more likely to give a helping hand when they can, for example, by donating money to a family struck by severe illness.

• limited resources 有限的资源
• at your disposal 由你支配
• concerned about 关心
• affluent 富裕的
• has access to 能接触到
• give a helping hand 伸出援手
• donating money 捐钱
• struck by severe illness 被重病击倒

Are there benefits when one person is interested in another person?

That’s a tricky question because it really depends on which way one person is interested in another, but no matter what, there is one prime benefit – one creates a relationship with the other person -- because showing interest in someone is the start of any relationship, whether it’s friendship or love.

• but no matter what 但无论怎样
• prime benefit 主要优点
• showing interest in 对……展示出兴趣

Is it easy for young people and old people to make friends with each other?

Not really. Young people tend to develop friendships with their peers and so do seniors. Youngsters are more interested in trendy topics, games, traveling, reading, all types of sports, fashion, and the like, whereas the old, at least here in China, prefer playing cards with neighbors or friends, simple exercise in the park, cooking, and looking after their grandchildren. This disparity of preferences and interests means that it’s not easy for these two groups to form friendships.

• youngsters 年轻人
• and the like 等等
• looking after 照看
• disparity 区别；差异
• form friendships 建立友谊