Why be a Buddhist?

It's interesting that many people find Buddhism fascinating but reasons for studying/practicing it seem to be vary. My daughter finds it comforting but her interest in it revolves around the humanistic aspects like giving Metta (similar to praying for someone in need) and so forth. For me, the attractiveness lies in its answer to rationalism; it provides a means for optimism and thus comfort where strict rationalism can be translated by the human spirit rather easily into pessimism and discomfort. Her salvation in this case is from worry about the wellbeing of others; mine is from the worry inherent in meaninglessness. I suppose when shopping for philosophies people are attracted to that which promises to bail them out of their specific hardship.