What happens to the jerks after high school?

[Anonymous]

I'm graduating HS next week and I just started thinking about this. I was always the kid who was nice to everyone, but people hated and picked on for whatever reason. Maybe it was because I was an easy target, being a bit of a loner. Also, I'm slightly socially awkward, but have gotten to a point where new people I meet don't even notice it.

But a lot of it was that I had a bad reputation for always going to a teacher when a kid was bothering me and that just followed me through high school and more people just jumped on the bandwagon. For example, one kid used to always drive by when I was out for a run and scream a gay slur (I'm straight). He only stopped after I threw an ice chunk that clocked his windshield.

But what happens to these jerks after high school? Do they ever grow up or get payback for all the times they picked on someone? I know it sounds bitter, I'm just upset for all the times they've made my life miserable. And going to a local community college (although with more than 10,000 people), I'm not so sure my reputation will go away.

Updates

+1 y

Crap. This was supposed to go in the behavior section. Oh well...

[grenn126]

Some of the "jerks" I went to high school with either went into the military, "found God", went to college and gained a beer-gut. lol Sad but its the truth.

Don't worry about being lightly socially awkward. I am and people don't care. I can't hold a conversation for the like of me but you learn how to just work with it. College actually helped me a lot because I got to talk to new people and it allows you to gain confidence with social situations with people you may not know. Practice make perfect. I actually went two years to a community college and so did a few of my friends, which helped me stay grounded to make sure college didn't get the best of me. lol

Trust me I had my fair share f people making fun of me in high school. I was fat and ugly and quiet. I couldn't stand up for myself s people saw me as an easy target because they knew I wouldn't say anything back. And with the whole telling a teacher thing. Yep went there many times. I personally think it is the only way to go in high school. The teachers should be there to form an environment that is bully-free for everyone to feel comfortable in. The right administration will do something about it and if they don't you probably wouldn't tell them in the first place.

I wish you the best! Good luck with college and I hope you don't run into any more jerks. lol

[cristinaboss]

They do end up maturing. When do they? It really depends, but usually in college. You have the chance to change your reputation since you'll be in an entirely different environment as you start college, so take advantage of it. I'm going on my senior year of college and I noticed that the older the people get, the friendlier and more open minded they are, and they pick on people less and less. No one really wastes their time to pick on people anymore... they have more important things to worry about.

[l-hedoniste]

Assholes don't last long in the real world.

First, unlike high school, we don't have to deal with them. EVER. They find themselves frustrated and alone, real fast.

Second, the real world has real consequences. They mouth off to the wrong person, and they can get themselves seriously, seriously hurt. And nothing will happen to the person who stomped them. Folks might even cheer.

From a guy a few decades ahead: Life is payback. In the long run, see, birds of a feather flock together. So all the fun, kind, tolerant, supportive people, hang out together. We have good lives, and we help each other lead good lives. That's who we are, and who we always have been.

In the meanwhile, in the long run, all the assholes flock together, too. All the rude, mean, selfish, judgmental people hang out together too. They make each other miserable and fearful, and they spread that misery where they can. They can't even escape the hell they're in because it's not because of where they are, but who they are.

Which is all an old man's long-winded way of saying: Karma's a bitch, and it's real. Really, really real.

[Smithkakarot]

Aw, you ain't old.

[Belgie]

I'd love to tell you that they all wind up living in trailers, addicted to cheap beer, and living in the past while their lives turn to sh*t.

But that doesn't happen for all of them. Some of them mature and change their ways. Some go on to be successful in a line of work that rewards jockish bullying behaviour, like a CEO or the military, or investment banking.

There is no natural justice in the world.

[Brando]

I'm sure at some point they might either adapt and quit being jokers, but right after high school it won't happen. Sadly, jerks are in demand and won't go away anytime soon, even once high school is over. They'll just remain jerks (or become even "better" jerks) and keep doing what they're doing.

[BillyTheMountain]

Once you get out of high school you get to pick the people you associate with. There is much less being stuck seeing the same people all the time, some of whom hassle you. So enjoy your new freedom!