I don't think you're being self-centered at all. For example, people at my work when I come back from having my 2 days off ask, "Hey Shane, what did you do?" The popular answer would probably be that I went to a party or something. I often say without hesitation, "Nothing." Of course I did a lot- I do many things to care for myself, and hardly ever call off from work. Most of the people I work with call off if they get a simple paper cut. But I also realize that to appreciate someone else's hard work you must be in their shoes, it's so easy to say, "That person's lazy" when you don't have their schedule or do their routine.
But I do think people tend to jump in or comment when there is not so good news, for instance when I was hospitalized last time, I received calls from people I normally wouldn't hear from. I think it's mostly selfish to prove to themselves that they care. In nature, most people normally pay more attention to bad news, if you notice when there is an accident on the road, traffic slows down as people tend to come down to a screeching halt to see what has happened.
But I do think people tend to jump in or comment when there is not so good news, for instance when I was hospitalized last time, I received calls from people I normally wouldn't hear from. I think it's mostly selfish to prove to themselves that they care. In nature, most people normally pay more attention to bad news, if you notice when there is an accident on the road, traffic slows down as people tend to come down to a screeching halt to see what has happened.