Am I a jerk?

You aren't a jerk. Jerks kick puppies & bully people smaller or weaker than they are. And they spout off with offensive words and opinions thinking they need to try to intimidate others so they can feel superior. That's not what you're describing about yourself right? You just sound standoffish & cold. You're so afraid of rejection that you have built a wall around yourself to scare others off. It doesn't seem like you're happy about this. That's why you're asking if you are a jerk.

You know, it's never too late for a positive change don't you? Try being friendlier towards others & treating them with the respect you know you yourself deserves. Even if some people ignore you or are rude in response, it's not the end of the world. Forget about them & move on.

I used to know somebody who thought and said those same type of things. He was definitely a jerk.

Moreover a stanger most probably IS your enemy, doesnt mean u should be a rude fck. Just be polite, even to your enemy. Nothing is wrong with that. And people are bot treating u nice because u re a rude jerk and it can be spotted on your face from far

If you are around clowns, and you dress up like a clown and act like them, you are a clown, too.

If you are around drunks, and you drink too much and act like them, you are a drunk, too.

If you are around funny people who tell good jokes, and you tell good jokes too, you are a funny person, too.

If you are around jerks, and you act like them, then you are a jerk, too.

You can decide for yourself what kind of person you want to be... or you can simply reflect what you perceive others to be. That is a follower.

Only you can know the intention behind any behavior you choose to engage in and ultimately, you need to do what instinctively feels right for you. You are not responsible for the reactions, behavior and expectations of other people, you are only responsible for yourself. How you see the world and its people, as well as how you treat them, is your choice and a valid perspective for you. Also important to remember, we each have our own definition of what is considered respectful, polite and self-serving, so be open to realizing not everyone will necessarily share your point of view.

Yes.

When others are rude, one can respond politeness or with further rudeness. To respond with further rudeness is to "stoop to their level" while to respond with politeness is to shame them with your good example and superiority.

If you truly respect yourself as a human being, then you will respect ALL human beings. If you don't have enough respect for yourself to choose to do the right thing and be courteous and respectful toward all, then the problem is YOU, not other people.

Well, as you pointed out without know me at all I am self-serving. So why should I be polite to you? When you judge oeople and only look for the bad in people that is exacltly what you will find.

You are a jerk. Congratulations.

Everyone has the right to decide how (s)he will deal with others. One has to be willing to accept the consequences though.

I, like you, am quite severe with others, because, after decades of being extremely polite, as my parents taught me to be, I began to realize that the average person was getting ruder, and MY politeness was being seen as weakness.

The hallmark of a gentleman or a lady is to always be polite, no matter how they are treated. If all we do is to reflect back how people treat us, we are no better than mirrors.