Caring for those we love is understandable, but exactly what enables people to care for strangers? This paper draws on an analysis of data from the study of time-diaries (ABS' Time Use Surveys) to examine the connection between sociability and care. Using information on the behaviour of carers, the authors' findings are consistent with the social capital approach. This suggests that the ability to care for 'generalised others' begins not as a private process, but a public one- where citizens reach out to others as a consequence of civil recognition.