Why is it that if you do something nice you're out to get something?

[WillParkinson]

Our company recently held a contest to find ways to save money. I submitted 2 ideas that were liked by the judging committee. I won 2-$100 gift cards to use anywhere within the company.

The girlfriend of my co-worker just lost her job due to cutbacks in staffing. Another co-worker married a woman from another country and they are having problems getting her home with him due to legal red tape.

I gave both of these people one of my cards.

Her so her boyfriend could take her to a few movies or maybe a nice dinner to lift her spirits.
Him so he could treat his wife to a hotel stay when she was finally able to come to live with him.

Both of them thanked me for thinking of them. Then one of them told someone else what I had done. That person came to me and asked me what I was up to. I said nothing. He said "BS, no one gives away stuff like that unless they're looking for something."

Do we all have to be that shallow?