The average Briton does just 12 good deeds a month, study claims

Almost half of those surveyed say lack of time prevents them from performing more random acts of kindness

The most common good deeds include holding a door open and taking in a neighbour’s parcel, according to the survey (Getty Images)

The average British person does just 12 good deeds a month – three of which are in the hope of getting something in return, according to a study.

Researchers who polled 2,000 adults discovered the most common good deeds were holding a door open and taking in a neighbour’s parcel.

Helping someone carry their bags, letting another driver out of a junction and putting the kettle on also made the list.

Other kind gestures people regularly perform included checking up on someone if they seem upset, babysitting for a friend or giving up a seat on a bus or train.

The research also revealed that almost half of British people said a lack of time prevents them from doing more good deeds.

Those who do find time said the "warm, fuzzy feeling" they get after doing a nice thing lasted more than a day, on average.

Laura McIntosh from food company Whitworths, which commissioned the research, said: “We lead busy lives, but it’s important to find the time to do good deeds for others and help people out.

“That’s why we’re challenging the nation to give it a shot and do a good deed, whether giving up a seat on public transport, letting someone out in traffic or simply saying hello to a shop assistant.”

Although three-quarters of British people said they often did kind things for other people, just 63 per cent say they were the sort of person who did "good deeds".

Two-thirds were most likely to do kind things for family members, and nearly half would do so for friends.

But less than one in 10 would more typically carry out thoughtful gestures for strangers in need.

The research also found one-quarter would help out their community by attending sponsored events and one-fifth would volunteer their time for local school or church events.

When thinking about the last time they did a good deed, three in 10 said they had done something nice for someone else in the last week, but one in 20 had not done so for a month or longer.

Yet 85 per cent believed they could do more "good deeds", with one fifth saying they did not do more because they had enough problems of their own.

Four in 10 did not have the money to do more good deeds, with 44 per cent saying they did not have the time.

And more than two fifths agreed they only did good deeds for others in the hope their kindness would be reciprocated.

The study also found 68 per cent thought good deeds often go unnoticed by people around them.

And just half said others would do nice things for them.

One-quarter said neighbours often did "good deeds" for them, with one third having been on the receiving end of a thoughtful gesture from work colleagues.

Just one in 10 would describe themselves as being more mean-spirited than kind-hearted, with two-thirds agreeing the opposite was true for themselves.

Top 30 most common good deeds

Hold a door open for someone

Take in a neighbour’s parcel

Ask a loved one about their day

Let someone have your seat on the train / bus

Give someone a lift

Let another driver out of a junction

Help someone carry their bags

Check on someone who seems upset, to find out why

Donate to charity

Make a colleague a cup of tea

Buy someone a gift for no particular reason

Say sorry for something even if it wasn’t your fault

Babysit for a friend or family member

Give someone a cuddle if they look like they need it

Sponsor someone

Teach an older person how to use some technology

Organise a family day out

Pay for a family meal

Offer to help with someone’s work

Check in on someone who is unwell

Look after a friend’s pet

Give hand-me-down clothing to friends or family

Tell someone they have something on their face or in their teeth

Go to the shops for someone who is ill

Donate old clothing, toiletries etc to the homeless

Write a thank you note for a present

Help out an animal in need

Allow a driver to merge into your lane

Treat a friend to dinner

Help someone move house

SWNS