What Jerks at Work Know that We Don't Know?

Everyone has experienced at least one jerk at work. I often wonder if it's just me that sees it or does everyone see it? You hate to bring it up with anyone from work because you don't know if they are friends with the jerks...sometime when you don't think the jerks are friends with your friends, they are and then they tell them what you said, and that can really create a pretty uncomfortable environment. You just can't trust anyone.

At my last job, I had a guy who was my colleague who was liked by the bosses. He was a guy who was very dishonest and greedy...but he had it figured out. He created a superficial persona that whenever he saw you, he would say, "G-D bless you" and would end every call with every customer with the same thing. He made people believe he was the messiah.

Of course, in private, when the bosses weren't around, he was a real jerk. He stole leads from you right under your nose. He would fart and never excuse himself from the small office, which was shared by 4 of us. He would listen to every phone call you made and then when he was with the bosses, he kissed their butts and dish out the entire goings on in the office.

Now, you say, this guy isn't my friend so why do you make him think you like him? It's a necessary evil, otherwise you risk, if you weren't his friend that he would backstab you. Of course there is no guarantee that they wont backstab you, because, there is no loyalty anymore in the work place. Every man for himself, as they say.

Along in the same jerk categories are those who bully you into doing things. Being professional is merely objective. Bullies are sometimes seen as getting the job done by bosses...then you have the whiners. They are everywhere. They complain about everything, and when they don't complain, you ask them what is wrong? Those too are seen as progressive and being perfectionists by a lot of bosses. Then you have the non-listeners. They will talk and talk, and then when you try to get a word in, they talk over you. That is just so rude in my opinion. But a lot of bosses see this trait as being aggressive and direct in a good way.
I am convinced there is no place for professional, ethical and polite people to work anymore. The bosses seem to cater to these "jerks" and if you are normal like me, you get shut out from being in the inner sanctum because, well, they are maybe not comfortable around people like us. You just can't win. My colleagues are jerks and my bosses are jerks. It's a club they have. The more professional you are, the more they outcast you.