What exactly is kindness?

Let me know what you think. I think kindness is an overrated characteristic.

What exactly is kindness? What is it exactly to be "kind"?

I honestly do not understand what it means. Maybe i don't understand because I am not kind? that's a possibility. But i think there's more to this confusion than simply being not one.

Does being kind mean being quiet? Then quiet should be the more accurate term. Meek? I can understand humble or gentle or timid -- but kindness! What's funnier is our society's emphasis on such as vague concept. My teachers would always remind us to be kind. Lola wants us to be kind. Even Santa joins the pack.

There are typical moments people hastefully label as kindness but I think none are "kind" moments at all but are reflective of other virtues at work.

1. A woman shares food with poor neighbor. Aww she's so kind. That's not kindness. That's Generosity.
2. Taxi driver returns wallet of an old lady. Honesty
3. King relieves poor man of his debts. Mercy

Taking it further:
1. little girl stays put in her chair all day playing with her dolls. not kind. loner.
2. Young little boy lets the neighborhood kid gang "borrow" all his toys from him. pushover. pwede rin uto-uto.
3. I had a classmate in elementary and everybody would say he's kind because he's just there in his little corner always ready with his warm shy smile. i think introvert is the more accurate term.
4. Congressman donates waiting shed. publicity
5. GMA pardons Erap. self preservation

Is kindness the totality of all good attributes? but then there are generous people who are not honest therefore saying they are kind would be fallacious. some merciful are not necessarily meek.

I think it's about time that we put less emphasis on this trait and focus on more tangible traits we can preach to our kids and expect from one another -- then maybe we can get real results.