10 Rules for Not Being a Complete Douche Bag
I have decided to take a break from the standard Internet Marketing talk on this blog to post some ideals I try to live by each day.
I fail.
And I fail on almost a daily basis.
But at least I know I am trying to be a better person, what are you doing?
Rule #1: Don’t enter everyday of your life trying to prove to everyone how much smarter you are than them
Rule #2: Realize that your fellow humans have something to teach you and be willing to accept that education
Rule #3: STOP thinking your belief systems and ideals are more valid than someone elses
Rule #4: Before you treat people like they are worth less than you, remember what it was like to get picked on as a kid (and if you don’t know what it’s like to get picked on let me know and I will find you and bully you for a bit)
Rule #5: Try to remember that one day you will die, what will your legacy be?
Rule #6: Open a door or let someone in in traffic once a day
Rule #7: Have one conversation a day where you do not mention or reference yourself or your accomplishments
Rule #8: Before talking down to a person imagine that person is the one person you love in life more than yourself, would you still talk that way?
Rule #9: Next time you are about to complain about something remember there are kids starving in Darfur, then rethink your complaint.
Rule #10: Admit once a day you were wrong about something!
Add your rules below!
44 Comments, Comment or Ping
paisley
i like it.. no wonder i have a high opinion of you.
=)
Oct 13th, 2008
Kenny Hyder
NICE, Rule #11: Die Quietly, no one wants to hear you whine!
Oct 13th, 2008
Marjory
Hey, you misspelled “than” in rule number 1 (I guess I just violated it, didn’t I but then I was trying to be a douche bag). So shoot me. All kidding aside, great post again. You rock.
Oct 13th, 2008
admin
Thanks Marjory. You could never be a d-bag :-) Fixed
Oct 13th, 2008
Zachary Tumin
As Heine said, ya gotta forgive your enemies, but not before they’ve been hanged. if we live by these, and check off against them, we will definitely make the world a btter place & ourselves decent folks trying hard. All that can be asked.
Oct 13th, 2008
Monica Wright
Nice. Interesting timing, someone let me go in front of them when I was bringing the boys out to lunch, although they were clearly there first. It’s amazing how it can set the tone for the day.
Oct 13th, 2008
ScreenRant.com
If people employed those rules in their online communications (blogs, social sites, etc) the internet would be a VERY different place.
Vic
Oct 13th, 2008
Paul
Loved it overall.Not sure I am too worried about #5. If you live by the rest of your code that part will work itself out
Oct 13th, 2008
Barry Wise
These don’t apply to dealings with customers and clients, right?
Oct 21st, 2008
Michael
#11: Add one “to do” solely for someone else’s benefit to every To Do list you write.
Oct 25th, 2008
Tyler Hurst
#12: Don’t add your own rules to someone else’s list.
Oct 26th, 2008
David Temple
David you are a class act. These are indeed rules to live by and from what I’ve seen you practice what you preach. And thanks for the internet marketing reprieve.
Oct 28th, 2008
Ed
I mulled over half of these in my head today, before Brogan ever showed me this post.
Thanks for the #validation.
Nov 29th, 2008
Kristyann
Nice list!!
Should get these put on cards so whenever I catch someone being a db, I can just slip them a card and walk away :)
Nov 29th, 2008
johnpiercy
rule #11 always listen to a senior .. they maybe old and gray , but they have ideas
Nov 29th, 2008
Arleen Anderson
#13 Luck is not something that happens to you. Luck is what you choose to make of your life, and it’s more frequent when you focus on blessing the lives of others.
Nov 29th, 2008
steven wilson
Rules that should be posted in quick site for daily viewing.
Nov 29th, 2008
Deb Brown
I was going to blog about the people who want me to hear them but don’t want to hear me –and then I read your blog. I”m going to practice the Golden Rule some now. great blog.
Deb http://www.debworks.com
Nov 29th, 2008
Todd Earwood
Great post. I think we all need to hear these. Many times social media becomes who beats their chest the loudest, so it’s refreshing and a good reminder for us all.
Nov 29th, 2008
Alexandra
Great list. May I also suggest:
14. “Spend a few minutes every day appreciating all you have to be grateful for. Act from a place of gratitude.”
Nov 29th, 2008
hurlyburly
When I read Rule #1, I thought you might be interesting. When I read Rule #10, I realized I was wrong about you. See, I admit when I was wrong.
Now whose the douche bag?
Nov 29th, 2008
Lorraine Ball
15. Say Thank you - and mean it. Look up an old teacher, and tell him/her what she meant to you, say thanks to the clerk in the convenience store.
Simply say thanks, and enjoy the look on the other person’s face
Nov 29th, 2008
Vajrppa
Fantastic list. Great food for thought. Thank you.
Nov 29th, 2008
Chris Hooley
You don’t tug on Superman’s cape
don’t spit into the wind
don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger
and you don’t mess around with gin.
Nov 29th, 2008
Hazel Walker
16. Take time to just listen to people, really listen.
Nov 29th, 2008
JonZ
Great list and thanks. I have to also agree with Hazel. I am constantly reminding myself to listen instead of thinking of my response when someone is speaking.
Nov 29th, 2008
Paul
A somewhat related game: http://douchebagbingo.com
Nov 29th, 2008
Casey Butler
I can’t remember who said this, but I like it and it’s kind of relevant:
“The secret to being a complete bore is to tell everything”
Nov 29th, 2008
Wa Mui
Re: “Rule #3: STOP thinking your belief systems and ideals are more valid than someone elses”
What if my belief system includes ideals that all females in Afghanistan should have the right to education?
I actually feel I have every right to force those ideals down the throats of those who don’t actually believe it. And if they don’t believe it then I believe those people should be banished.
Nov 29th, 2008
Heather (How to be a Woman..?)
It would help my self-esteem a great deal if you would wait at least a day after our champagne brunches to write these types of posts. I’m starting to develop a complex.
Nov 29th, 2008
Jay
I’ve been on twitter for about a month. I follow some who seem to be “gurus” of social media. I noticed a few of them tweeted a link to this page. I truly hope they adopt these rules. It’s not fun to watch these folks try to be relevant and profound 30 times a day.
Nov 29th, 2008
Bluejeanslady
Had to laugh with Jay’s comment above….It is true that peeps are always trying to be relevant and profound many times a day on the internet. It is the nature of the beast. Many of us just starting to learn….many trying to maintain their lead. Odd how hard we make our lives when just a few simple rules followed by all would make us equally happy.
Nov 29th, 2008
Dean
#3 - the world would be a better place if liberals/conservatives would take this to heart.
And if you think that’s not true, you’re part of the problem.
Nov 29th, 2008
Shannon Ehlers
#XX (I’ve lost count because there are so many #11s)
Hey - just have a little fun! Life is serious enough, no matter if you’re a real person or just a blogger. So let’s all “LUAU” (lighten up “asteroid”, understand?)!
And I echo Jay - the reason I’m not more prominent on Twitter is exactly this glut.
Nov 30th, 2008
Andrea de Michaelis
Excellent list, I’d like to reprint this in my (print)magazine.
Nov 30th, 2008
Carrie
Great list!
Nov 30th, 2008
Shannon Norrell
Do something nice for someone else. Ask for nothing in return but for them to “pass it on” to someone else under the same terms.
Nov 30th, 2008
Marti
Have you been reading my new book? *grin*
I did include a nearly identical list - general rules for being a better person. You have a catchier title though. Thanks for sharing!
Nov 30th, 2008
Brandon M. Sergent
Blah blah blah, Translation… “Try to be as servile self doubting and robotic as possible, but don’t let yourself THINK you are being servile self doubting and robotic, make your slavery YOUR idea, be proud of it.”
Ask Newton how he’d have felt about this.
Dec 2nd, 2008
Ironic
I find it ironic that one of the biggest douche bags I know posted a link to this page on her Twitter. So, I wonder are douche bags interested in reading about how not to be douchey–highly self-aware or entirely out of touch?
Dec 3rd, 2008
Clark
You can be a man and kick some ass, or you can be a woman and kiss some ass.
But in America, the men have been domesticated, but not castrated, yet.
Dec 26th, 2008
Mark Knowles
Dave,
Nice post. That’s a good list, a tough list, a list that helps us each of us help each other. “Imagine all the people… “
Mar 29th, 2009
mass mailer
Like the rant and would love to see more of these types of rants.
Tired of all the Glass Jaws posting crap that they know nothing about.
Apr 1st, 2009
bulk email sender
Thanks Dave for the List. I am new to internet marketing and trying to learn as much as I can. Free tips are always appreciated!
Apr 1st, 2009
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