Dear Eric: Lately I have been kind of a jerk to people around me, and although it is kind of a mystery as to why, I know it is something I need to get a handle on. I just don’t know how.

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For example, a couple weeks ago I stormed over to a neighbor’s where a painting company was setting up ladders for a job. I complained to them about the noise, since it was early enough in the day that the county noise ordinance was in effect.

In retrospect, they weren’t that loud. I felt embarrassed afterward for giving them grief. I have no idea why I was ticked off enough to do this.

In another case, I picked up some takeout food and completely unfairly gave the workers a hard time.

There have been other times as well where I’m ticked off and call them out. I don’t know why I’m doi

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