To be blunt,

are there more assholes in the world these days? Or is it just my life experience? Sure seems that in the past few years I've encountered more people that are just JERKS. I mean flat out jackasses. They mostly hide behind the protection of email, a faceless tool that seems to bring out the worst of people. Maybe I dwell on them, and it's good story telling, or maybe not. In the past month alone I can think of these examples:

1. While at a restaurant, late so it was near empty, I asked a guy "so how was the steak?". He just stared at me, didn't answer. Oh yes, he heard me. He was spooky. And he wanted another Espresso. I had visions of him going on a killing spree.
2. RE: The lady in my neighborhood that followed me home to yell at me for "driving too fast"
3. A pinball parts customer of mine who was griping about their order taking so long. It had been 4-5 days and they picked Ground shipping (or didn't pick Priority). He said he didn't see the option, and I told him that it did default to the cheapest method, to get this: You know, I tried to make nice with you and now you call me cheap. NO more emails. I will not buy from you ever again. and I will tell all the people i know not to also. You are a JACKASS. You dont insult the customer. If they are not here by friday I will get my money back. I should have never waited this long. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
   I WILL NOT OPEN ANYMORE MAILS FROM YOU SO DONT EVEN SEND THEM.
   LOOK FOR A PAYPAL COMPLAINT ON FRIDAY IF THEY DO NOT SHOW UP.
4. Last week, I bought $200 worth of parts for my business via the Internet. The guy sent me a PayPal payment request, for which I paid. For some reason, the payment didn't include what I was buying, and you would have thought it was the end of the world. I got a nasty immature email back stating since I didn't say what it was for, they'd send pictures of what they spent it on. Excuse me? I explained what it was for, included a copy of the invoice I showed as having the info, and said I was a little shocked at their email. I thought I'd get an apology. What I've gotten, and still getting, are long emails telling me what a jerk I am. Quotes are: "Be as unprofessional as you like and lay it off on anyone that makes you feel comfortable. While you're feeling all superior on next week, don't for get to look in your mailbox."  and "When things get screwed up and no one can find you, you want to blame others. I know, you're really a comedian. This has all been a joke and I should be laughing."  and " I can have any attitude that I like. Your over inflated need for special attention not withstanding, so I gave you some." and "You decided that you could treat people at great distances from you like monkey poop and they would just love it." And mostly what I've said to this person is that I'm shocked at being treated this way, and told him many times I paid the invoice I was sent. This is from the owner of this small company. I'm still amazed.
5. Three+ years ago, a jerk in KC basically stole a pinball machine from me. The other day he felt compelled to email me with a link to pictures of how he restored it. 

That's just my thought of the moment. I guess though, I've said it before, will say it again: I hate people.