> Being a "jerk" is a defense mechanism. Being an uncommunicative jerk is considered a more forgivable trait than actually pushing back on the work put on your

> Being a "jerk" is a defense mechanism. Being an uncommunicative jerk is considered a more forgivable trait than actually pushing back on the work put on your plate. In my first job ever, I spent about six months helping anyone who came by my desk for help. As it would turn out, my manager completely hated the fact that I did that because it looked like he couldn't keep me at 100% utilization. He was much happier after I grew a neckbeard, long hair and turned into someone who'd bite the head off any QE who came by my desk with random questions. More than a decade later, way out in open-source, I have gone back to being nicer & calmer - because nobody knows your hairstyle on the internet.