Bullying and Jerky Behavior. What’s the Difference?

Everyone deals with jerks and disrespect, but not everyone gets bullied.

Jerks and disrespect are a normal part of life. Bullying, on the other hand, is a whole other animal. Although a jerk’s behavior is hurtful and negative, it does not mean that it can be classified as bullying.

When is hurtful behavior classified as bullying, and how do we tell the difference between bullying and disrespect? What is the difference between a jerk and a bully?

When a person is “just being a jerk,” his/her bad attitude is random, sporadic, and directed at anyone at any time.

On the other hand, bullying is when the ill-treatment becomes a habit or pattern and is directed towards one person in particular- the same person over time.

Bullying requires a target! It is systematic, deliberate, vicious, and always escalates over time. Bullying involves smear campaigns, witch hunts and is relentless. Bullying seeks to destroy.

A jerk is afraid you might want something from him.

A bully wants something from you.

Quotes About Bullying, Haters, Creeps, Jerks, and Mean People

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“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.” – Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Don’t hate what you can’t imitate!” – Unknown

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady and diplomat

“Haters are my motivators.” – Nicki Minaj, American rapper and singer-songwriter

“Hatred makes us all ugly.” – Laurell K. Hamilton, American writer

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“Haters never win. I just think that’s true about life because negative energy always costs in the end.” – Tom Hiddleston, English actor

“There’s a certain logic to avoiding haters, but as a strategy, it’s utterly flawed. When you turn off the feedback, you lose the benefits as well as the drawbacks. It’s like having a sore finger and cutting off your arm.” – Rob Manuel, American digital artist

“The haters always scream the loudest.” – Tucker Max, American Author

“Something about winning attracts losers with opinions.” – Unknown

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“Haters are cowards. When confronted, they often back down. We must resist haters.” – Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General

“I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.” – Booker T. Washington, American author and civil rights leader

“Make your supporters proud and your haters jealous.” – Unknown

“It is only out of ignorance that people are cruel because they don’t think it will come back.” – Maya Angelou, American writer

“An open enemy is better than a false friend.” – Greek proverb

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Always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Others may hate you. But those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.” – Richard M. Nixon, 37th U.S. President

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss