Comments on: Why jerks run the world

By: Brian, Atlanta

Brian, Atlanta — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:07:13 +0000

Wouldn’t it have been great to say very loudly “listen you pissant, you aren’t qualified to shine my shoes, either seat us quickly or take this restaurant and shove it”. Probably would have gotten you no where but you would have felt better.

By: Owen Des Moines, Iowa

Owen Des Moines, Iowa — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:59:39 +0000

Had to laugh.. it’s happened to me.. the best way to get seated though is, when they usher you into the bar to order high-priced watery drinks, just order ice water… They don’t want you taking up space if you’re not spending money!!

By: Yadgyu, Harkeyville, TX

Yadgyu, Harkeyville, TX — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:06:42 +0000

Dude, you got punked out.

If I would have had six drinks in me, I would have walked to a table of my choice, sat down, and screamed out my order at the first server who walked by.

You weren’t a jerk. You walked out of the place crying. You cowered away to the cold outdoors. Those people would have had to call the cops on me. When I want a seat and I see empty tables, I TAKE a seat. Be a man, Bing!

By: Ernestine Bass, Mentone, Alabama

Ernestine Bass, Mentone, Alabama — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:51:44 +0000

Without knowing the exact content of you “short observation of no particular import”, one should have reservations in pegging you as a “jerk”.
Your unfortunate scenario brings to mind that scene from “Pretty Woman” where the shopgirls on Rodeo Drive (unaware that they are indeed nothing more than servants to the very rich) initially treat Julia Roberts’ character with such condescension.
While it’s true that the very rich are different, the sycophants who serve them are another species altogether.

By: Billy Bob Johnson, Knoxville TN

Billy Bob Johnson, Knoxville TN — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:54:13 +0000

You’ll find higher class citizens at the Waffle House. If you’re south of the mason dixon line, of course.

By: tony new brunswick, nj

tony new brunswick, nj — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:14:38 +0000

From the very start, if you slipped the maitre d’ a five, you might have avoided this and, saved a fortune on six drinks.

By: thebingblog

thebingblog — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:13:17 +0000

Ah, but I had such a nice dinner!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:27:39 +0000

This is not the restaurant’s fault; its the fault of a material-obsessed society who idolize people who are undeserving.

You should have left the restaurant never to return.

By: Gary, Chicago, IL

Gary, Chicago, IL — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:16:33 +0000

It was not being a jerk that finally got you in. It was being someone who was not willing to accept the BS that got you in. The people who rule the world are just like that – they get angry at nonsense, work to the nail, and fight when necessary to make changes that remove what they perceive as BS from their lives and everyone else’s lives.

By: Suzanne, Cary, NC

Suzanne, Cary, NC — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:47:12 +0000

Actually I just don’t go to place like this. I absolutely hate them and the arrogance of it all. I would rather eat at waffle house.

By: Averyl, Portland, Maine

Averyl, Portland, Maine — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:20:18 +0000

I became self-employed six years ago and I still work for a jerk.

I just discovered your blog and love it. Thanks for doing it.

By: Mike, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mike, Minneapolis, Minnesota — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:33:43 +0000

Ha! It is a war and the weapon you have is not leaving it is staying having a good time probably incurring the what $1200 dinner bill and leaving the five dollar tip with a note! You win and win with class. People like this understand a very short list of things and believe me money/dollars are high up on the list. Good luck and strike where it counts “nice people” do have an impact but do need to act.

By: Nofoolhere, Johnstown, PA

Nofoolhere, Johnstown, PA — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:14:11 +0000

I once lived in a place where on my morning jog, I frequently saw a pack of the local dogs that I referred to as the “dog society.” They hung around making a great ceremony of earnestly sniffing each other’s butt and validating their pecking order. I wish there was a Rockwell type painting of such a scene that could be given to such a gasbag emporium where it could be placed on the wall of the “Throne Room” to be observed by the human butt sniffers participating in their ritual.

But a real gasbag, if he was serious about his title, would identify the most dominate other gasbag present, go over to his table, and urinate on his leg, or at least his table’s leg.

Every condition should have its style.

By: Broadsword, Los Angeles

Broadsword, Los Angeles — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:58:27 +0000

I don’t understand; the service employee lied right to your face, so how are you the jerk? How is any of this a metaphor for success in business?

By: At your service, Denny's

At your service, Denny's — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:44:48 +0000

That maitre d’ is on a power trip. Baad carma.

By: joe, upstate

joe, upstate — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:57:04 +0000

This begs the question,
Were you upset because you thought,
Doesen’t he know who I am? I’m big, important, you know; author columnist, got two names, been interviewed on tv… I should be treated like a big important man, the kind you trip over in order to have the privelege of serving.
Were you upset that others were treated as if they were more important than you?
Is your head really in that space?
Humm, I think someone needs an attitude adjustment. Either that or a nap.
Bring that giant ego of yours back to earth Bing.
Yes, yes,you are special, that guy was so mean to you, we should all go and yell at him for treating you so badly and making you have a fit.

By: Bob Shelby twp. Mi.

Bob Shelby twp. Mi. — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:02:07 +0000

In today’s world of equal rights and people exercising them, “chivalry” died with “Sir Galahad” and was reborn with the “ACLU”.

By: AJ Miami, fl

AJ Miami, fl — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:33:28 +0000

I work in costumer service, and i avoid helping someone who acts like a jerk. I go out of my way to make sure kind people get great service! I would never reward bad behavior.
Usually(not always) the “real” rich and famous people, that REALLY have a lot to show for, are polite. It’s the “wanna be” ones that act like they own the world. They demand everything and have horrible manners! Because they they know they are nobody and the only way to get recognized is by demanding it! So, jerks may run some things, but, not the world! When we have a jerk as a costumer, everyone knows… The word gets passed around. We warn each other! FOR SURE!

By: David, Tyler, TX

David, Tyler, TX — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:02:23 +0000

Jerks usually get what they want. It’s their little way of “working for it” or as a jerk might put it,”getting results”. Unfortunately they are still jerks.

By: Janus Daniels, SLC, UT

Janus Daniels, SLC, UT — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:50:53 +0000

Machiavelli was not the first to suggest that many people treat you better for treating them badly. Pity these poor neurotics, avoid them when convenient, and treat them only as badly as they demand when you must deal with them.

That said, could you please send a copy of your article too every Democrat in DC?