why do people do mean things?

Question

I just dont understand what makes people do mean things like what goes through there head that tells them to do it I cant think of a good reason.Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

Well Toto,
even in Kansas, there are hundreds of thousands of reasons behind the mean spirited things that people do !! So, trying to give explanations for all of that is completely impossible here !!
It will have to suffice to say-- that there are people who are just simply evil -- they are not like the rest of mankind-- they dwell in the center of doing harm for the "pay off" that they receive-- be it the proceeds from their actions against people OR the shear thrill they receive in watching others suffer !! Then there are the ones that are those who have been hurt very deeply over something that carry hard line attitude towards life in general or aimed at people in specific !! Then there are those that have been taught to treat others poorly !! And, yet others that feel they have to beat their needs out of who ever they deal with out of some twisted view on life---- they just can not get a grip on the "win--win" thing at all !!
These are but a scratch in the surface of causals in this question that you have poised -- to do the subject justice-- one would have to write a thesis !!!!

Answer 2

Define 'mean'?

The reason I ask that is because I am looking at it from a different perspective. Is the victim of this meanness simply sensitive? Are they unable to take any kind of criticism? Is everything said to them taken personally?
I have a coworker who was unable to listen to directions. She would be told to do something one way, yet if she felt it didnt make sense, she would do it her own way. Anyways, after repeatedly telling her she needed to check the dates on product and having to tell her once again ( this time not yelling but I did sound a little short tempered), this woman broke down and cried. Said I was mean, out to get her, etc. She has cried probably about 5 times in 1 1/2 months because someone simply says something to her. Noone is yelling or chastising. She has called us all 'mean'.
That said, although there are some mean people in the world with no respect for others, there are also some people who just need to grow a spine and thicker skin.

Answer 3

I would say that people do mean things for 2 reasons - either they get something from the act of being mean, exerting power over another, or they don't have any other option left open to them that they can see. People tend to be mean as some kind of payback, maybe not to the individual they are being mean to, but indirectly to the person that wronged them.

I also agree with the idea of Karma catching up with them. You shouldn't be looking for a good reason that people are mean cos that conflicts with the definition of what being mean really is, which is a spiteful attack for no good reason.

Answer 4

It really depends on what you mean by 'being mean'..
are you talking about bullying?..teasing? ..
'cause if thats the case, the answer is pretty simple.
Kids who tease; make mean remarks on others and bully are just generally insecure.
Bullies; 'mean people', are only proud and strong when they are in a big group too. and that should show you just how insecure they are!..
so being 'mean' just reflects on the persons life and situation at home as well. they might have 'friends' in school.. (so called FRIENDS.. but if you'd look closely its just a bunch of insecure kids hating and competeing against eachother and talking badly about one another behind eachothers own backs). at home, they might not have a loving family !! it could be anything that ticks these morons off. in a way.. you just have to feel sorry for them ..
hope this helped!

Answer 5

People usually do mean things as a defense mechanism. They may be insecure or afraid that others will offend or hurt them and so, either consciously or subconsciouly, they do just that to others. Or they could be harboring anger in their hearts from past experience and the only way they could express this is by doing mean things to others.

I used to respond back to mean people with the same anger and sarcasm as they do to me. But as I matured, I realized I should actually feel sorry for the person because a person who is loved and cared for will never intentionally do mean things to others. Now I know to just ignore their sarcastic remarks but still relate to them as persons. (And yet, of course, from time to time some people do it to me repeatedly and sometimes they simply get to my nerves. These are instances when I throw back sarcasm to them that will make them think ten times before insulting or embarassing me again).

Answer 6

It's usually because of self loathing or low self esteem. Probably brought on by how they were treated as a child or perhaps from a traumatic experience. It only becomes a concern when the health and well-being of others (including animals) and of the person themselves is endangered. Then they need professional help.

Answer 7

People do mean things because they have issues with their life.They hate their life, and are miserable so they want everyone else to be miserable also.Also, they get jealous of how happy you are or what you have and then they want to hurt you.Because you're happy and there not.Misery loves company.Now what makes people that way I have no Idea..Like at work.everyone got a raise but myself and a few others..I wasn't mad I was happy for the ones that got one.I figured I haven't been here that long.I'll get mine eventually.But a hateful person will try and take someone who got a raise and scratch there car or try and ruin it for them.spiteful.

Answer 8

Sometimes it isn't even personal and that's even harder to understand. I think some people just have something inside of them that makes them meaner than others. All dogs will attack and bite to protect themselves or their puppies, but some dogs bite and attack with little and no provocation. People are the same except that they also have words that they can use as weapons.

Answer 9

Underneath anger lies fear. (Hard to explain without writing practically a book here, but the fear becomes warped, twisted, and manifests as anger / violence/ hate, etc). I learned this in college, studying psychology. Ever since I learned this, I have had more compassion for ALL the human race... Underneath the surface of even the most horrible criminals, there is a scared, hurt child... its true...

Answer 10

Maybe it is a release of negative energy created by society.
Like the media or the signs always telling you what not to do.