Why do some people have to put others down in order to make themselves feel better?

Question

The other day i saw a girl trip over her shoelace and someone who saw her started laughing. I don't understand what's so funny about it?

Answer 1

That's what we call a REALLY insecure and REALLY unhappy person. I kill em with kindness, they don't know how to act when you do that!

Answer 2

That's a great question. The only answer I've been able to come up with is that people who put other people down to make themselves feel better have a low self-esteem. They don't feel very good about themselves, so when they see a 'flaw' in someone else's character, they emphasise it, or make fun of that person so they can feel 'better' ... Then again, seeing someone slip and fall on their butt can be kinda funny, as long as they're not seriously hurt. Injuries are never funny. But I don't think chuckling at someone falling is the same as putting someone down.

Answer 3

I think that people who laugh at the mishaps of others, and those who go out of their way to point out the flaws in other people do so in effort to elevate their own sense of worth. I think subconsciously, they hope to divert attention from themselves - (they might be thinking "look at that person, at least I'm not as bad as that shmuck".) I think for some, their own personal sense of self value is so hollow, shallow, or non existant, that they can only experience a sense of belonging, measuring up, by finding the low man on the totem pole (the shmuck), and expanding/ putting as much distance between themselves and that unfortunate person they have identified as a "shmuck." The only way they know to do that, is by digging away at the misfortune, behavior, appearance, etc. of that poor schmuck, hoping to lower the shmuck's value in the eyes of their shared audience. I think that in their own minds, this gives that person a loftier place. Some people like that just lack the insight, & others maybe just plain don't care that they have acquired that elevated place by standing on the bodies of the poor schmucks they injured with their arrogance. Those poor schmucks are people too, but that just doesn't register with them. They don't see either, that their behavior is rather transparent to some onlookers, and instead of finding that place of superiority, they aren't on the same level as the people they hope to impress, they are a place below the poor "schmucks" they have been critical about. That's how I see it anyway - I hope that makes sense! Great question!

Answer 4

Some people are just wired that way. I can laugh at the most inappropriate things. I don't know why. I feel terrible about it. Guess it was all those slap-stick comedies I watched growing up.

Answer 5

The answer is quite simple. These people feel very bad and insecure about themselves and focusing negative attention on others diverts their pain elsewhere. The more someone does it, the weaker you can surmise that they are.

Answer 6

Probably because they're insecure jerks -
there is a saying "What goes around, comes around" - I bet laughers won't feel so good about themselves in the long run! (Unless they grow up and don't push the rudeness too far)
In this case, I just hope the girl who tripped and probably felt pretty awkward realizes it. (Unless she could care less because she realizes they're idiots)

Answer 7

There are many people who live in their own world with no urge to assist anyone else in society other than their friends.

Answer 8

that's my litmus test on whom i associate with.

i don't mind being counselled,
we're all here to uplift each other.
but i view criticizing as a form of weakness and
and those who feel a need to be that way,
i give them distance.

Answer 9

They are covering up their personal insecuritiies, and to feel comfortable they degrade others to feel like they have control and more power.

Eventually, I think we learn to stop.... as we mature.

Answer 10

Because they are really insecure....and they suck