50 People Who Weren’t Afraid To Call Out The Jerks They Saw In Public (New Pics)

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Cyclists riding on the road, blocking a car, exhibiting inconsiderate behavior.

Scattered blue confetti on rocky ground, illustrating people being jerks by littering outdoors.

Messy fitting room with clothes scattered everywhere, showcasing people being jerks.

“Treat others as you would want them to treat you” is the timeless golden rule. And it’s not just a famous saying – most people actually do expect others to behave like they do themselves. A 2023 studyfoundthat selfish people punish generosity and reward selfish behavior. And, in turn, generous people tend to reward generous behavior.“If everyone around me is selfish, then I’m going to learn to accept selfishness and behave accordingly,” one of the study’s authors, Paul Bogdan, Ph.D.,commentedon his and colleagues' findings. “We show that your judgments of other people’s behavior really depend on how you behave yourself.”

“If everyone around me is selfish, then I’m going to learn to accept selfishness and behave accordingly,” one of the study’s authors, Paul Bogdan, Ph.D.,commentedon his and colleagues' findings. “We show that your judgments of other people’s behavior really depend on how you behave yourself.”

This is at the US botanical gardens in DC. Very annoying.

Tree trunk with carved graffiti and a sign saying “No Graffiti: It hurts the plants” at a botanical garden.

A dog on rocky terrain with littered paper fragments; a hand holds a piece of text, embodying people being jerks.

Abandoned coffee cup left on a store shelf.

The study also proves that we are drawn towards people who are more like us. As the participants offered to split a pot ofmoneywith each other, those who would give generous offers tended to accept offers from like-minded folks. And those who put their well-being first preferred to share the money with more selfish individuals.

Disclaimer: photos taken safely at a red light!While no picture can capture the essence of this somehow not illegal car lights, I feel like the literal twinkle streaks is a good indicator.This person was behind me (and several others) most of my commute. Lights like this clearly aren’t for the driver’s visibility benefit since many are affixed to trucks requiring a miniature ladder to hop in, so what is the point other than Main Character douchebaggery?

Car driving with high beams on, blinding light in rearview mirror, illustrating people being jerks on the road.

Person standing and blocking the view of a theater stage, illustrating people being jerks.

Truck parked inconsiderately across two spaces in a parking garage.

If this list is making you lose all faith in humanity and its generosity, don’t be alarmed. Some research suggests thataltruismis intrinsic in our brains. In 2016, researchers from UCLAfoundthat people might become less giving if an area of their prefrontal cortex is affected.

Beachgoer setting up large speakers near others relaxing by the shore, showcasing inconsiderate behavior.

Cars improperly parked in a handicapped zone, blocking access.

I never want to be the jerk who honks but they don’t hear/notice me until I’m right up to them. Just trying to go to work.

People walking in the middle of the road blocking traffic, surrounded by trees and houses.

We also might assume that selfishness leads to earning more money and living a more comfortable life. It’s logical: you dedicate more time to your career,have no children, and focus on your work, and voila – you’re on top of the food chain. However, science says otherwise.

Graffiti covering a mural of a person on a city wall.

No, it doesn’t hinder the car’s performance. How about I scratch something of yours with my framing hammer and see if you’re annoyed?

Scratched car glove compartment showing the word ‘Tacoma’.

Blue car parked over two spaces, illustrating people being jerks in a parking lot.

When I mentioned it to him, he told me it was “clearly an accident” and said I can “easily buy another one.”

A broken charging cable held in front of a laptop, illustrating frustrating behavior.

People standing on a protected grass area disregarding signs, illustrating people being jerks in nature.

Text conversation with someone boasting about their puppy’s followers, demonstrating people being jerks.

Misplaced package with “this end up” sign upside down, highlighting people being jerks.

Red truck parked across the road, blocking driveway access in a residential area, illustrating people being jerks.

Soft serve ice cream left in a tray instead of a cone, demonstrating inconsiderate behavior.

Crowd at a concert, everyone holding up phones, capturing the moment.

Children making a mess in a store aisle filled with scattered toys, illustrating people being jerks.

We threw away 55 cookies. The managers didn’t let us take any home because they thought it might “encourage us to purposely make extra”.

Trash bin filled with discarded packaged cookies, highlighting wasteful behavior typical of people being jerks.

Woman with stroller blocked by inconsiderate parked cars on sidewalk under trees.

Room with toys scattered, a person standing near a wall looking at a device, capturing a scene of disorder.

Potted plant carelessly knocked over, soil scattered on pavement, depicting people being jerks.

Other researchers say that we ought to cut selfish folks some slack. Oftentimes, their behavior is the result of past mistreatment and betrayal. “We are quick to judge people and label them, especially when they behave in a way that appears unacceptable to us,” Dr. Jerabek, president of PsychTests,says. “Maybe that person who cut you off in traffic, that customer who was rude to you, or that nitpicky colleague has more going on in their life than meets the eye.”

Theater seats with trash and spilled popcorn on the floor, illustrating people being jerks.

Chair piled with shoes in a store aisle, illustrating inconsiderate behavior.

Dirty patio furniture cushions in a store, showing signs of people being jerks.

We’ve got many more examples of people being inconsiderate in this series of ours. You can find the previous iterations of lists where people are being jerkshere,here,here,here, andhere. And, in the meantime, stay empathetic and considerate – you never know what the other person is going through, even if they’re acting like a jerk. The world could always do with more kindness.

Text about charging a fee if drivers cancel after waiting 0 minutes, illustrating people being jerks.

A note left on a parked car, warning about occupying someone’s parking spot.

Discarded packaging left in an elevator, showcasing inconsiderate behavior.

I still had food coming, and they cleared everything off of the table! I mean, I left my keys on the table for exactly this reason! It sucks to eat out alone.

A set of keys left on an empty wooden table in a dimly lit restaurant.

Two trucks blocking highway lanes at night, illustrating people being jerks on the road.

A few weeks ago I decided to grab some dinner with a coworker. I rarely if ever go out to eat as its so expensive these days but I finally decided to treat myself one night. My coworker ordered appetizers for herself, multiple drinks, a larger dinner and even dessert. When it came time to pay we were each going to just pay for our food but she conveniently forgot her wallet and just kinda sat there staring at me. I’m an awkward person and I really didn’t want to even cover her food in the moment because it was more than I could even afford but it was such a weird situation and she promised to pay me back so to just end the evening I covered her bill expecting to get reimbursed. Now that was weeks ago and she keep posting on insta and snapchat about going out to fancy restaurants or weekend trips but she always has an excuse when I ask to be paid back. I BARELY make a livable wage and being in the red because of her has caused me so much anxiety, I feel like such an idiot.

Text message exchange showing a conversation about someone avoiding paying back money; example of people being jerks.

Empty waiting room with chairs in rows, person’s legs visible, coffee mug on the floor.

Garden plants disturbed with visible holes in the soil near a building.

Empty movie theater with a missing row of seats, creating an uneven arrangement.

Litter scattered across a field, illustrating inconsiderate behavior.

There were no free squat racks and this guy would do 3 reps then walk around and talk to other people for 5 minutes before doing another set.

Gym sign on barbell with a note causing frustration by taking extended breaks.

Misaligned railing obstructing view of cracked asphalt, illustrating people being jerks with poor construction.

This is the third time now, they eat it even out of my own containers. I have no idea what to do anymore the manager won’t do anything about it.

Flattened cinnamon roll in a foam container with a small syrup cup, highlighting an example of people being jerks.

Putting towels down on a bunch of beach chairs and then leaving for a few hours.

Beach chairs reserved with towels, no people; example of people being jerks at the beach.

I was on the other side of the theater but noticed he was on one when I came in.It was a pretty big theater and I could see a faint light once the movie started but I kind of thought it was just an aisle light.When I went to leave I noticed he was still on it. Took this as the credits rolled.Note: he also had earbuds in but took them out right before the picture.

Person using a laptop in a cinema, displaying inconsiderate behavior.

Television in a hotel room with snacks and bottled water placed in front, showcasing people being inconsiderate.

I honestly had been avoiding her suggestion because I didn’t wanna risk something like this happening but she put me on the spot at a cookout and I said screw it.He openly was bragging about getting drunk and destroying his Xbox/PC/ and some windows at my aunt’s house after I had given him the guitar so I can’t say I’m surprised I got it back like this.

Guitar with one incorrect tuning peg, highlighting people being jerks by misplacing parts.

Cars blocking a narrow space, illustrating thoughtless parking.

A bike locked outside, blocking access, illustrating people being jerks.

I literally did nothing to anyone this entire month, I didn’t even speak to people, I ate my pizza in peace and I came back to this horrible solid metal contraption parasite latched onto my bag.

A backpack locked with a padlock on the zipper, someone holding it, illustrating people being jerks.

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