50 Times People Acted Like Shameless Jerks Because They Thought They Would Get Away With It

“My house, my rules,” we often say when someone questions our private life. However, certain people extend this approach to the public domain as well, acting like they’re above the rest of us.

But those who do not want to put up withegotistical behaviorsoften shame these actions for everyone to see. The internet has become a platform for holding others accountable in an attempt to debate and negotiate what is and isn’t acceptable.

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Damaged tent with a message criticizing people being jerks for slashing it, as shown in viral tweet.

Person on a bus holding a loud phone conversation on speaker, ignoring other passengers, displaying inconsiderate behavior.

A few years ago, Daryl Cameron, assistant professor of psychology and research associate at the Rock Ethics Institute at Pennsylvania State University, wanted to understand when, how, and why people choose to avoid empathy in their daily lives.Often mistaken for compassion — sympathy or concern for others' suffering or misfortune — empathy is the experience of understanding and actually sharing the feelings of someone else.Empathy, Cameronexplained, can be thought of as feeling somethingwitha person, rather than feeling itforthem.

Often mistaken for compassion — sympathy or concern for others' suffering or misfortune — empathy is the experience of understanding and actually sharing the feelings of someone else.

Empathy, Cameronexplained, can be thought of as feeling somethingwitha person, rather than feeling itforthem.

My 11 year old daughters teacher wrote this comment on her homework. I’m absolutely flabbergasted and angry. This after my daughter just competed in gymnastics nationals a month ago.

Diary entry with hopes and dreams scribbled over, showing people being complete jerks.

Litter scattered on grass in a park, showcasing people being complete jerks by littering.

Grown Woman Peeing At Her Seat At The Taylor Swift Concert

One might argue that feelings are automatic—things that happen without our conscious effort.Cameron acknowledged that sometimes this is true, but he also said that we often choose whether — and toward whom — we’re empathetic.Across several studies, he and his colleagues have demonstrated that we do indeed opt out of being empathetic, and while it can seem like a negative thing, Cameron said the fact that we have the ability to choose has an upside.

One might argue that feelings are automatic—things that happen without our conscious effort.

Cameron acknowledged that sometimes this is true, but he also said that we often choose whether — and toward whom — we’re empathetic.

Across several studies, he and his colleagues have demonstrated that we do indeed opt out of being empathetic, and while it can seem like a negative thing, Cameron said the fact that we have the ability to choose has an upside.

Bruh we were home all day you just had to ring the bell. Literally posted it on top of the note.

Delivery notice and handwritten note on door, showcasing inconsiderate behavior.

My wife and I are on our honeymoon in Italy and the jet lag has basically ruined our sleep schedule. No worries, we’ll just sleep on the train, right? Nope! Instead, we get to listen to hours of TikTok audio courtesy of two apparently socially challenged, self-centered teens. When did it become okay to blast your phone while the people around you are clearly trying to sleep? Ugh.

Train passenger with feet on the tray table, holding a phone, demonstrating people being complete jerks.

Grocery store shelf with misplaced meat among juice bottles, highlighting people being jerks.

Woman sitting in a waiting room with feet on table, on her phone; exemplifying inconsiderate behavior.

“It seems a bit fatalistic and defeatist to say that empathy for large numbers [of people] just isn’t how we’re wired," Cameron said.“Research on emotion regulation and mindfulness meditation suggests that people do have ways to change how they relate to their own emotions. Maybe if we further explored such possibilities, new avenues would open up for encouraging empathy.”

“It seems a bit fatalistic and defeatist to say that empathy for large numbers [of people] just isn’t how we’re wired," Cameron said.

“Research on emotion regulation and mindfulness meditation suggests that people do have ways to change how they relate to their own emotions. Maybe if we further explored such possibilities, new avenues would open up for encouraging empathy.”

Man advertising as a professional mourner with humorous price list; an example of people being complete jerks.

This was just for a daily homework assignment that was worth like 5 points… not an exam or paper or anything.College is weird.

Notebook page with a staple hole but no staple, labeled “staple -1” in purple pen; example of people being jerks.

A pile of cigarette butts irresponsibly left on a cabinet under a sink, showcasing people being jerks.

In one study, simply tweaking participants' expectations — convincing them that empathy would be emotionally rewarding instead of just exhausting — made participants more likely to humanize someone experiencing drug addiction.

In another study, participants increased their levels of empathy for mass suffering when they were convinced that it would not cost them financially.

When I asked him wouldn’t using earbuds be easier, he said I should just [get] my own if what he’s playing bothers me. Way to miss the point, bud.

Person blocking aisle with a large speaker in a store, displaying inconsiderate behavior.

Truck with conspiracy messages written on the back, exemplifying people being complete jerks.

Audience in a theater with someone holding a phone high, being complete jerks by blocking the view.

“It’s easy to think that people might avoid empathy because they just don’t want to feel bad,” Cameron added. “But what if it’s because empathy is effortful, taxing, and fatiguing?““It’s hard work to try to get inside someone else’s head and feel what they’re feeling. One might be afraid of getting it wrong, or not knowing someone well enough to know what they’re feeling.“So, the people whose actions produced these pictures probably aren’t hopeless. It could very well be that they just need to better understand that selfishness only gets you so far.

“It’s easy to think that people might avoid empathy because they just don’t want to feel bad,” Cameron added. “But what if it’s because empathy is effortful, taxing, and fatiguing?”

“It’s hard work to try to get inside someone else’s head and feel what they’re feeling. One might be afraid of getting it wrong, or not knowing someone well enough to know what they’re feeling.”

So, the people whose actions produced these pictures probably aren’t hopeless. It could very well be that they just need to better understand that selfishness only gets you so far.

He’s basically destroyed the tree, so I’m now going to have to pay for removal and replacement which won’t be cheap.

Tree bark stripped, showcasing mild vandalism in a garden, highlighting people being complete jerks.

I drive a nice car, ive parked here many times, walk away in scrubs and leave at 5 pm, and yet she has called the police twice on me and tried to get my vehicle towed. Ofc the cops said they can’t do anything BECAUSE IT’S A CURB.

Inside a car, a person outside appears upset, portraying people being complete jerks.

A black hamster in bedding with text explaining it was an unwanted gift; example of people being complete jerks.

Bicycle parked in a garage with a caption about a request not to use gears, illustrating people being complete jerks.

After putting the data together, they found that it was actually the people who exhibited more selflessness in their attitudes and behavior who were more likely to have higher incomes and more children. In other words, generous people performed better on these two traditional measures of success than selfish people.

By being a jerk to others, you’re not helping yourself. If anything, you’re just hurting your chances in life.

SUV with offensive political sticker, illustrating people being complete jerks.

People standing in a parking spot, with cars parked on either side, under a cloudy sky.

Waiting for my delayed flight and this guy walks up next to me to unplug the ATM so he can charge his phone. There’s only the one ATM. Guess he’s the most important person in this entire airport.

Phone charging from wall socket using a cord through an board, demonstrating people being complete jerks.

Poolside chairs reserved with towels, showcasing people being jerks.

Who doesn’t like watching a movie in a well-lit theater?There are fairy lights lighting the walkways, so I can’t imagine how much safety a brightly lit wall could add. These sconces were directly in our peripheral, making it hard to see the screen through 3D glasses.

Empty theater with a movie playing, highlighting inconsiderate behavior.

We saw him circling around the complex, my mom tried flagging him down and attempted to call him but he didn’t answer, and then he left the complex, and then sent this photo with our food smashed on the ground.We just called customer service and they gave a refund.

Food scattered on pavement, illustrating people being jerks by littering.

Broken USB ports on a bus seat, portraying people being complete jerks by damaging facilities.

They ignored my pleas to sit down, and took selfie videos (with flash) the entire movie. A lovely experience.

Two people standing and blocking the view in a movie theater, disrupting others.

A blue car blocks an intersection, causing traffic disruption on a rainy day.

This jerk took a loud phone call in a museum film-immersive exhibit room. We are all trying to watch a little movie and this guy is yelling into his phone until he quickly gets called out!

Person sitting on a bench blocking projector screen, displaying historical photos, in a dimly lit room.

“Person in a green jacket being inconsiderate in a public place, observed by someone holding a phone."

Person lounging at a slot machine with feet up, being inconsiderate in a public casino setting.

Text messages show a negotiation over a cat, highlighting people being complete jerks.

Traffic jam on a rainy day, showcasing people being complete jerks by blocking lanes on a busy highway.

Messy room with piles of trash and fast food bags, showcasing people being complete jerks with their littering habits.

A reserved sign for a birthday party at a park, emphasizing respect for the space; exemplifies people being complete jerks.

I’m trying to take a nap during my 6 hour layover at Denver Airport and without warning or asking, a pair of people set up these bright face lights and have been complaining about people other than them being in an airport

Person extending their foot over another seat, blocking the view of someone seated, in a lounge setting.

Damaged door with large gashes and holes, showcasing inconsiderate behavior.

Person sitting improperly on chairs, exposing underwear; example of people being jerks in a public setting.

Delivery notice left on top of a note saying “I am home! Please knock,” illustrating people being jerks.

I already posted about this girl a few times. It all started when she got upset that a guy (her FWB) showed interest in me. She sent me a bunch of racist, hurtful texts making fun of me and my hobbies and everything. We fell out of course but then a few days later she drunkenly tried to climb into my place through the window to apologize. I booked her an Uber (from her phone) that night and the next day she turned up at an event I went to. She’s literally following my every move and when I went to the local authorities they basically said they can’t do much rn.I’m going on a solo trip soon and she seriously booked the same flight and dates as me. She even booked a hotel that’s close to mine. (She knew about this trip before we fell out which is how she knows all the details).So basically I’m gonna have this deranged lunatic following me across the globe for god knows what reason.

Text conversation depicting people being complete jerks with apologies and emotional exchanges.

A woman occupies two yellow chairs with a backpack in a cafe, illustrating inconsiderate behavior.

“Person blocking view at a concert, holding a phone, illustrating people being complete jerks in crowded events."

Bagged sandwich in trash with note, “You’re welcome, mom,” among discarded food items, illustrating people being jerks.

Shoes off.

Shopper lying on a pallet of canned goods, taking a selfie in a store, illustrating people being complete jerks.

People acting inconsiderately by blocking store entrance with a car trunk full of groceries.

I thought it was a prank when I saw it. As a person that doesn’t really take advantage of Costco’s impressive return policy, would a person receive a full refund?

Large TV awkwardly loaded on a shopping cart, people being complete jerks in a store aisle.