How do you handle jerks at work when every interaction with every person is a jerk?

Try to find another job..? I read some of your stories and I know that you are an intelligent person. You can look for other jobs where there are more mature people who can accept you for who you are.

Being under estimated can play to your advantage. Take on projects that no one expects you to be able to do, then knock them out of the park. Make sure that people see and recognize when you perform well or when your ideas work better than someone elses. You can do this indirectly or jump up and point at someone and say, "In your face!"

Of course, this requires that you can actually handle the project well. I'm assuming that these people aren't judging you because of your work performance, but rather maybe your personal habits?

If the retarded judgement is coming down to your personal interactions, I suggest you stay quiet more or think about how your words and actions could sound to others. Maybe take a few communication classes at your local college. They can work wonders.

That being said, I would wait until someone degraded me this way, especially in front of others. Then, I would beat the sh1t out of the person really bad and make sure everyone knew it was because I got tired of the condescending bullsh1t. Repeat as needed.

Maybe you're a jerk too.... and that's why you work there! LOL

I would have said "yes SHOCKED, S-H-O-C-K-E-D because the average person can't do the amount of work I can..."

Sounds like you have severe self esteem issues- working at a place like this won't help it at all- find a better place to work at.

My last job drained my self esteem to the point I was afraid to turn around I was totally walking on eggshells and was a nervous wreck! I left and found a better job that makes me feel wonderful and totally appreciated everyday!

Make them coffee and spike with laxative - then stand in front of the toilet door and refuse to let them pass until they spell diarrhea correctly, (which i admit i can't do myself - where's my bloody diary?) LOL Let's see how much that SHOCKS/PLEASES him, the condascending ******!
Or do what overman says, his way's good too.

you could try and make friends with them, you never know there may be a non jerk amongst the jerks..hiding somewhere :) if not you could always beat them at their own game, that might earn you respect and if not it earns you a giggle and a bit of revenge :)

I wouldn't feel right about telling you to leave or to stay in your present job; without defending any of the jerks that you work with, I will say that the working world is full of people like that, no matter how much money you make, where you go or even how smart you are. Work isn't fun most of the time; however if it gets to the point for you where the other aspects of your life (health, socializing, etc.) are suffering because of your work experiences, do yourself a favor and find another place to work. You will be happier in the long run. Most people have to change jobs several times in their lives. Your well-being has to come first. Good luck.

When everyone I come in contact with is a jerk (or some other negative quality) it's time to look at myself.

These are crazy times. Everyone is anxious about their job security. That might be one reason why you are not being trained properly. This is happening to my daughter too. She started her job in the busy season and did not receive any formal training, expected to hit the ground running by observing her coworkers. It has been very hard. Everyone is protecting their jobs by withholding even the most casual information from her. If I were you, I would not take it personally and would not hold it against anybody. But do double your efforts and hope we can all ride out the rough patch ahead!

The best way to handle this situation is to apply yourself to the task at hand, all your co-workers opinions should not matter to you because they didn't hire you nor is their name on your paycheck. The only two persons you are accountable to are you and your immediate supervisor. If you haven't been warned or written up about your job performance you're doing just fine. There are people who must put others down to pick themselves up, they seek approval from other ignorants just like themselves, be strong, bold, and next time you're confronted in a negative way ask them to step into a private area, preferably in you supervisors office and ask the employee to explain to your supervisor the dilema he's facing with you. You need to put these people on the spot but in an intelligent manner without stooping down to their level of ignorance. If that doesn't work out than approach your supervisor with the situation and ask him to call off the bullies, keep notes on all the negative confrontations, names, dates, times and keep them because if the problems persists you may need to approach your human resources manager for immediate attention. You should enjoy your job, not regret having one, by all means, please don't resign or quit jobs are not easy to find in todays economy. Don't give these office bullies the satisfaction of getting the best of you. Keep to yourself as much as possible, interact on work related issues only and remember keep a journal of every negative experience you have with these people these notes will be of good use when you submit a grievence to your H..R department for harrassment.