# What makes a douchebag? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735 "2009-10-14T02:10:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/41 "2009-10-21T17:18:27Z")
How about assclowns, what relationship do they bear to douchebags? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/42 "2009-10-21T17:27:24Z")
Plastic and saline solution. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/43 "2009-10-21T20:50:16Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Wearing Ed Hardy shirts does seem to be a pretty strong indicator of douchebaggery. They’re pretty fucking ugly and ridiculously expensive. I did a quick Google image search. What exactly is objectionable about Ed Hardy shirts? They seem kind of cute. Or is it a concept that cannot be explained to me, like “fashion” or “eating with utensils”? Regards, Shodan PS - Disclaimer - I own t-shirts with Superman and Batman on them. I wear them mostly to the gym, but my daughter picked them both out. If they mark me as a douchebag, I warn you in advance that I am not going to care. ---
**Author:** ![stanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@stanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stanger)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/44 "2009-10-21T23:45:42Z")
I never thought of fashion having much to do with whether one was a douchebag or not. Manner of dress may be an initial indicator, but I don’t think there is any dress code. An asshole is a person that does things to other people that is intended to hurt , embarrass or denegrade, just to get pleasure from the hurting. When an asshole does something to someone, they are thinking to themselves “Ha! I gotcha!” A douchebag is basically an asshole that does the same thing, only they do it , and knowing they are doing it, out of indifference or just because they can. When a douchebag does something to someone, they are thinking “Ha, ha! You are stupid and fell for it.” ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/45 "2009-10-22T00:30:43Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I did a quick Google image search. What exactly is objectionable about Ed Hardy shirts? They seem kind of cute. > > Or is it a concept that cannot be explained to me, like “fashion” or “eating with utensils”? I’ve added a few links for reference: [White People Like Hating People Who Wear Ed Hardy.](http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/04/13/124-hating-people-who-wear-ed-hardy/) [Urban Dictionary Entry for Ed Hardy](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ED+HARDY) [Some blog about John Gosselin’s penchant for Ed Hardy clothes.](http://jezebel.com/5312591/jon-gosselin-ensures-that-ed-hardy-will-forever-be-known-as-the-axe-body-spray-of-clothing) [Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt tour Ed Hardy](http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/heidi-montag-and-spencer-pratt-tour-ed-hardy-204531/) [The Douchebag Anthem YouTube Video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_faInfFMtr4) The best way I can describe it is that Ed Hardy has become associated with spoiled, over privileged, vapid, attention-seeking quasi celebrities like Hiedi & Spencer, John Gosselin or people aspiring to be just like them. TapouT (Tap Out), a brand associated with Mixed Martial Arts, is similar. Basically, they are ugly, gaudy, cheaply made clothing that is overly expensive and lets everyone around you know that you think you are hardcore and kind of a big deal. And quite frankly, going around acting like you think you are hardcore and kind of a big deal is pretty douchey. Especially since most of the people who actually were those clothes are nobodies who spend all their money on fashion while living in their parents house out on Long Island or New Jersey somewhere. IOW, there is a fine line between dressing cool and dressing like a douchebag and Ed Hardy, Juicy and similar brands shit all over that line. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/46 "2009-10-22T00:36:55Z")
Is a douche required to be unaware of their douchnicity? Or is there a subclass of deliberately douchnistic douche? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/47 "2009-10-22T01:08:46Z")
> [@cerberus](#): > > Is a douche required to be unaware of their douchnicity? Or is there a subclass of deliberately douchnistic douche? I think they are generally unaware of their douchosity. What generally makes a douche is that there is a severe cognative dissonance between what they think is “cool” and what the rest of the world thinks is cool. And this may be reinforced by hanging out with an insular subculture of like-minded douches. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/48 "2009-10-22T01:16:34Z")
Kinda related, in German the word _douche_ means _to shower_. I wonder what the equivalent of a German Douchebag would be. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/49 "2009-10-22T01:17:28Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > Kinda related, in German the word _douche_ means _to shower_. > > I wonder what the equivalent of a German Douchebag would be. Deutsche bag? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/50 "2009-10-22T01:19:20Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > Kinda related, in German the word _douche_ means _to shower_. > > I wonder what the equivalent of a German Douchebag would be. Hitler! You set 'em up, I knock 'em down. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/51 "2009-10-22T01:25:58Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I’ve added a few links for reference:…[Urban Dictionary Entry for Ed Hardy](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ED+HARDY)… Wow, definition #3 actually references “starving artists”. Why am I not surprised? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/52 "2009-10-22T12:37:25Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I’ve added a few links for reference: > > [White People Like Hating People Who Wear Ed Hardy.](http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/04/13/124-hating-people-who-wear-ed-hardy/) > > [Urban Dictionary Entry for Ed Hardy](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ED+HARDY) > > [Some blog about John Gosselin’s penchant for Ed Hardy clothes.](http://jezebel.com/5312591/jon-gosselin-ensures-that-ed-hardy-will-forever-be-known-as-the-axe-body-spray-of-clothing) > > [Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt tour Ed Hardy](http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/heidi-montag-and-spencer-pratt-tour-ed-hardy-204531/) Well, thanks, I guess. At least now I have something to put on the Christmas wish list. > [@](#): > > Basically, they are ugly, gaudy, cheaply made clothing that is overly expensive and lets everyone around you know that you think you are hardcore and kind of a big deal. Well, sure it sounds bad when you put it that way… > [@](#): > > IOW, there is a fine line between dressing cool and dressing like a douchebag and Ed Hardy, Juicy and similar brands shit all over that line. Before my daughter came along, I had no idea what the line was, or even that it existed. She used to try to explain the rules, but it made my head hurt. Now she simply shakes her head sadly and sends me back to change when I come down with a Totally Non-Cool outfit on. She’s strict, but fair. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/53 "2009-10-22T14:25:22Z")
“Hey, this scumbag, he goes out last night, picks up two douchebags – he doesn’t even call me, this scumbag.” Things have obviously changed. Or my memory is shot. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/54 "2009-10-22T14:57:15Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > How about assclowns, what relationship do they bear to douchebags? Assclowns may exhibit douchey behavior, but only purely by accident while they are trying really way too hard to be cool, without actually knowing wherein lies true coolness. They may sometimes be seen as sidekicks to douchebags while simultaneously being the object of douchebag derision. They are often punched in the head by alpha-douchebags for their assclownness. Assclowns laugh too loud and are the guys who say “Hold my beer and watch this!..” and may be seen with their shirt-tails inadvertantly sticking out of their flies when they come back from the mens room. ETA: I can’t believe there has been a whole douchebag thread and I’ve been missing it! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/55 "2009-10-27T22:28:50Z")
[The definition of douchiness (with some douchebaguette thrown in).](http://jezebel.com/5391049/the-villain-wore-an-affliction-t+shirt) ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/56 "2009-10-28T08:49:26Z")
> [@SmartAlx](#): > > I thought a tool was someone who lets himself be used without considering who he is supporting… doesn’t have a mind of his own. You know, someone is using him like a tool. They are generally tools of “the man.” Some cops for example are tools because they support a marginally corrupt system that cares more about making money for the city than safety. A whole freaking lot of media people are tools, like Sean Hannity and Anderson Cooper. No no, that’s the wrong definition of the word tool. You must think of hand tools, not cogs in a system. A tool is likened to your tallywacker, your John Thomas, the part of the anatomy that a man wants to use to screw, nail, or drill with. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/57 "2009-10-28T10:01:28Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Hitler! > > You set 'em up, I knock 'em down. Godwinned! ---
**Author:** ![BKReporter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@BKReporter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BKReporter)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/58 "2009-10-29T20:02:13Z")
I just had to post this story: **Douchebags Unite, Take Stand Against Non-Douches (VIDEO)** > **[Douchebags Unite, Take Stand Against Non-Douches (VIDEO)](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/we-are-douchebags_n_338568)** > > Douchebags Unite, Take Stand Against Non-Douches (VIDEO) ---
**Author:** ![BKReporter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@BKReporter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BKReporter)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/59 "2009-12-29T15:12:48Z")
And the award for biggest douchebag of '09 goes to…well here’s the list of contenders: > **[Who's the Biggest Douchebag of 2009?](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/whos-the-biggest-doucheba_b_405304?slidenumber=8odlbbv3JCA%3D&slideshow=)** > > Who's the Biggest Douchebag of 2009? Some of usual suspects are on there like Jon Gosselin, Ashton Kutcher and the Balloon Boy dad, but a few surprises also. Personally I’m shocked the cast of Jersey Shore didn’t make it. ---
**Author:** ![LilGypsyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilGypsyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilGypsyGirl)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735/60 "2009-12-29T15:46:45Z")
> [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > \…A douchebag is a narcissistic guy who thinks he’s cool, and surrounds himself with guys who dress, look and think just like him. He’s superficially attractive but lacks depth. He’s oblivious to his douchy appearance and behavior. He’s probably talking loudly on his cell phone in an inappropriate place right now. \ Hmmm - something like THESE guys? Note the guy on the far right on his phone… [http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/danielletasco/DoucheInvasion-1.jpg](http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/danielletasco/DoucheInvasion-1.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-douchebag/513735.md?page=4)