Why Are People So Nasty?

The origins of nastiness in other people can be deeply hard to fathom, especially if we have done nothing to them. The answer is strangely and consolingly simple…

FURTHER READING

“It happens pretty much all the time: a small jabbing comment, a joke at our expense amidst a group of old friends, a line of sarcasm, a sneering assessment, a provocative comment on the internet.

These things hurt a lot – more than we’re ever allowed to admit. In the privacy of our minds, we search for explanations, but anything satisfying and soothing is usually hard to come by. We’re just left to puzzle at the casual inhumanity that circulates all around us – and suspect that perhaps it’s we who are, somewhere deep down, to blame for falling victim to it.”

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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:

Patrick Smith

[killgriffinnow]

But what about people who are suffering terribly, yet do not belittle and bully others?

[Rob-xxjp]

a truly, deeply happy person does not go around being nasty or acting negative towards others

[iannacn]

I can't stand abusive people that think they have the right to mistreat you 😡

Kindness is like a language, not everyone talks or understands it.

[malikmalak]

And some people are nasty just because they know they can get away with it.

[basedbattledroid]

I just hate how people I've never even met before automatically feel the need to treat me like shit.

[Max-nkyu]

Wish I could live in a bubble full of people with positivity

[lovelyrose]

It's simply because being nasty has become socially acceptable. People even admire nasty people given that it's falsely perceived as "power" and confidence. In addition being nasty is rarely reprimanded. Our movies, social media and music are all filled with nasty people, behaviors, practices, ect...yet most people are not appalled, simply due to those things mentioned above

[nolagatto]

it's hardest when the person doesn't even realise they're hurting you, they're just behaving normally for them but it hurts you inexplicably

[DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

People are nasty because they don’t want to see anyone doing better or having more than they do. Even their friends. People only wish for good things for their friends as long as it doesn’t make them jealous. People are pricks. Most wont admit to this, but I know it to be true...because I
my friends am an asshole too.

[Knaeben]

Sometimes all you can do with toxic people is to get away from them

[cindydillon]

I have a bunch of nasty people at my work. They enjoy it, being rude and nasty to me. I think it brings them closer together as a clique. Nobody wants to be put on the outside of the clique with me so they all go along with the three strongest members. The others aren't quite as blatant but definitely do participate, whether by giggling when an insult is thrown my way or by acting as if they don't know what's going on. It's toxic and I'm currently trying to get outta there!

[andrea.lingsulin]

Seeing a person who is constantly hurting you as "someone sad inside" is dangerous. Many people remain in abusive relationships because of this theory. But there are people who are aggressive or they have a personality disorder and no empathy for others, and that's why they are nasty.

[JadeC]

Why do people have to be so cruel? I'm crying so hard right now

[bethlancaster]

Or people might just be arseholes and like bullying vulnerable people cos they like hurting others and are cowards. I've had enough of people.

[vpykljw]

nobody who’s happy is going to be putting others down.

[yalanchiswiss]

This reminds me of my older sister and my mom. Never happy, never content, always looking for glory and revenge. Always ridiculing everyone and everything around them and placing themselves on a very high platform and handing out negative remarks and death stares whenever possible. These are the type of women that cannot laugh at themselves or smile at a stranger or make a compromise. I do not take pity on them or try to understand them. They are born this way and choose to be this way and they are miserable yes. But to forgive someone who does not want forgiveness is nonsense. Let them be the laughing devils they wish to be. Goodness does not make alliances or exceptions for the bent and the twisted. Forgiveness is not a free hand out; you actually have to ask and work towards for it. Don't pity evil. Like many of the people in the comments say, there are good people going through hell on earth and still find the decency to be good. Cheers to them.

[shiraq]

what if you are more hurt than they are, and they keep on hurting you while you're down. People are just nasty creatures. Don't rely on them.

[Carmen-mpje]

It is so unbelievable how at the slightest chance, people get aggressive... most of what I read in social media is judging and hateful arguments... it is very tiring to be defending from hate, envy and gossiping all the time

[rosie]

Literally not caring is the best response.