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The Jackass Whisperer: How to deal with the worst people at work, at home and online―even when the Jackass is you
A rallying cry for everyone tired of keyboard commandos and people who use speakerphones in open plan offices, The Jackass Whisperer is your guide to dealing with the worst people on earth. Jackasses are those who make our lives needlessly harder. They drive too slowly in the fast lane and too quickly in the slow lane, reply all, heat up fish in the microwave at work and share way too much information about their cleanse on Facebook. They live in our homes, work in our offices and shop at our stores. Jackasses are among us, and we have some bad news for if you can’t spot the Jackass at the (enter literally any place on the planet), then the Jackass is you. After a lifetime of research, Scott and Alison Stratten offer the definitive guide to surviving the Jackassery in your life and making the world a better place, one set of noise-cancelling headphones at a time.
- GenresSelf Help
186 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2019
27 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 2, 2019
Have you ever been on an airplane with a screaming baby? Has your boss ever scheduled a Friday night team dinner but excluded partners and spouses? Did you ever stand behind someone in the express checkout lane who thinks 12-items-or-less is a suggestion and not a rule?
Those people might be jackasses, including the baby.
The world is full of people who get it wrong. That’s the premise of the new book called “The Jackass Whisperer: How to deal with the worst people at work, at home and online―even when the Jackass is you.”
Husband and wife duo Alison and Scott Stratten take pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and share a group of stories to highlight jackasses in various locations: at the office, in traffic, and your family. After each story, they offer two ways you can manage the situation: as emotionally regulated adults with empathy or as jackasses yourselves.
What I love about this book is that Kramer and Stratten also offer a scoring system. If you see yourself in any of the scenarios, you get one point. At the end of the book, you tally up your “jackass score” and have a real reckoning with yourself.
Is the world a terrible place? Do people suck? Or are you part of the problem?
This book makes an excellent office white elephant gift, a great stocking stuffer for your annoying cousin, or even an excellent book for a boss with a sense of humor. Except, don’t give your boss a gift. That’s not how the world of work works, and you’ll look like a jackass.
If you’re sick and tired of people with bad manners and no sense of dignity in the world, I can’t recommend this book enough. I read it on an evening flight to Boston, and I was the jackass with my overhead reading light on while people were trying to sleep.
Ooops.
I also laughed out loud at several chapters in the book, which means I’m the weirdo in a window seat having a moment to herself on the plane while others are just trying to make it through the flight.
Sometimes, the jackass truly is me.
Those people might be jackasses, including the baby.
The world is full of people who get it wrong. That’s the premise of the new book called “The Jackass Whisperer: How to deal with the worst people at work, at home and online―even when the Jackass is you.”
Husband and wife duo Alison and Scott Stratten take pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and share a group of stories to highlight jackasses in various locations: at the office, in traffic, and your family. After each story, they offer two ways you can manage the situation: as emotionally regulated adults with empathy or as jackasses yourselves.
What I love about this book is that Kramer and Stratten also offer a scoring system. If you see yourself in any of the scenarios, you get one point. At the end of the book, you tally up your “jackass score” and have a real reckoning with yourself.
Is the world a terrible place? Do people suck? Or are you part of the problem?
This book makes an excellent office white elephant gift, a great stocking stuffer for your annoying cousin, or even an excellent book for a boss with a sense of humor. Except, don’t give your boss a gift. That’s not how the world of work works, and you’ll look like a jackass.
If you’re sick and tired of people with bad manners and no sense of dignity in the world, I can’t recommend this book enough. I read it on an evening flight to Boston, and I was the jackass with my overhead reading light on while people were trying to sleep.
Ooops.
I also laughed out loud at several chapters in the book, which means I’m the weirdo in a window seat having a moment to herself on the plane while others are just trying to make it through the flight.
Sometimes, the jackass truly is me.
December 3, 2019
What a fun read! This book was gifted to me as an attendee of the Blissdom Conference in Nashville, TN. Well, actually, I bought the book on Amazon while listening to the author give a dynamite keynote speech and then later received a free copy at the end of the speech anyway, so now I have one for me and one to give to someone I like.
The book details the various types of irritating behaviors that people exhibit throughout daily life and gives suggestions for how to respond either as a jackass in kind or as someone who knows how to give grace and move on with one's life. I guarantee that you yourself do at least 3-5 of the jackass moves decried in this book. However, The Jackass Whisperer pokes fun at you, me, and everybody else, so there is no need to be offended.
The moral of this story is that we can all be a bit unsavory at times, so it is time we lighten up and spend more effort coming up with ways to treat other people better rather than spreading more jackassery around. Read, enjoy, and better yourself.
The book details the various types of irritating behaviors that people exhibit throughout daily life and gives suggestions for how to respond either as a jackass in kind or as someone who knows how to give grace and move on with one's life. I guarantee that you yourself do at least 3-5 of the jackass moves decried in this book. However, The Jackass Whisperer pokes fun at you, me, and everybody else, so there is no need to be offended.
The moral of this story is that we can all be a bit unsavory at times, so it is time we lighten up and spend more effort coming up with ways to treat other people better rather than spreading more jackassery around. Read, enjoy, and better yourself.
April 29, 2020
I feel like the authors are a couple of jackasses...
This book felt like a hoodwink. The book contained 125 ways that the authors point out how people (in very specific situations) can come across as "jackasses". There is a self-assessment or "scorecard" that you can participate in as you read through each of the 125 different examples. But when it comes down to it, we're all jackasses at times and we need to realize that we need to be more self-aware and do our best to NOT be the jackass that we can't stand at the gym, on the freeway, or at the grocery store, etc.
I'd like to add #126; the jackass doesn't write a book based on poor comedic assessment of what annoys us as individuals. Or does that make them geniuses? So, does that make ME the jackass? Hmm...regardless, I'd give this novelty book a 2/5 for minimal entertainment and 0 practicality.
This book felt like a hoodwink. The book contained 125 ways that the authors point out how people (in very specific situations) can come across as "jackasses". There is a self-assessment or "scorecard" that you can participate in as you read through each of the 125 different examples. But when it comes down to it, we're all jackasses at times and we need to realize that we need to be more self-aware and do our best to NOT be the jackass that we can't stand at the gym, on the freeway, or at the grocery store, etc.
I'd like to add #126; the jackass doesn't write a book based on poor comedic assessment of what annoys us as individuals. Or does that make them geniuses? So, does that make ME the jackass? Hmm...regardless, I'd give this novelty book a 2/5 for minimal entertainment and 0 practicality.
May 14, 2025
The Jackass Whisperer explores the frustrating world of difficult people, who the authors call jackasses. The message is that while we can’t control other people’s behaviour, we can control how we respond to them.
With 125 different scenarios, they show common types of jackassery encountered in everyday life. Each chapter focuses on a different setting (at work, online, in traffic, in parenting, etc.) offering advice on how to respond with a jackass reaction or a whisperer reaction. At the end, you can tally your reactions and see what you are (I had mostly whisperer reactions).
I've read other books by Scott and have liked them. Like this one, not only is there humour but there are some skills you can take away and put in practice in your life.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2025/05...
With 125 different scenarios, they show common types of jackassery encountered in everyday life. Each chapter focuses on a different setting (at work, online, in traffic, in parenting, etc.) offering advice on how to respond with a jackass reaction or a whisperer reaction. At the end, you can tally your reactions and see what you are (I had mostly whisperer reactions).
I've read other books by Scott and have liked them. Like this one, not only is there humour but there are some skills you can take away and put in practice in your life.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2025/05...
May 13, 2021
Funny, relevant, great!
A really good companion read to The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't.
I would also recommend this if you recently read Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People - and Break Free.
Stratten is always a fun read.
4.3/5
A really good companion read to The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't.
I would also recommend this if you recently read Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People - and Break Free.
Stratten is always a fun read.
4.3/5
January 8, 2020
Am I a jackass for this review?
I love Scott and Alison. Their expertise in marketing and customer service has made me a better customer service writer. Their banter in their other books and podcast makes our industry fun!
But this book...
I don't know if they wrote this just for fun or to really open people's eyes or both, but it missed the mark with me. Sometimes I felt the whisperer answers were more jackass answers. I guess I am a jackass for telling it like it is, but this book was a miss.
I love Scott and Alison. Their expertise in marketing and customer service has made me a better customer service writer. Their banter in their other books and podcast makes our industry fun!
But this book...
I don't know if they wrote this just for fun or to really open people's eyes or both, but it missed the mark with me. Sometimes I felt the whisperer answers were more jackass answers. I guess I am a jackass for telling it like it is, but this book was a miss.
December 12, 2019
i really wanted to like this book as I have been a long time listener of their podcast. Here is a summary of the book
some jackass does something bad
the jackass solution (act like a jackass)
Just be nice (the nice solution)
There you go. I kept thinking there has to be more to this book, but no it just went on. Thankfully it was really short.
some jackass does something bad
the jackass solution (act like a jackass)
Just be nice (the nice solution)
There you go. I kept thinking there has to be more to this book, but no it just went on. Thankfully it was really short.
January 1, 2020
I didn’t really enjoy the style of this book. It seems to be built on concept of providing scenario, then giving 2 responses, allowing you to chose if your reaction is a jackass reaction (jr) that pays the awfulness forward or a whisperer reaction (wr) that stops the spread. Might be a good read, but I found it irritating and lacking substance! I couldn’t get past the second chapter...
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February 20, 2020Are you worried of being a Jackass? Do you often feel you should have acted a certain way but not sure whether you'll be labeled as a jackass for that?
No worries! The Strattens have made a comprehensive list for you to decide whether you are a jackass or a whisperer.
Be a whispering jackass, I say!
No worries! The Strattens have made a comprehensive list for you to decide whether you are a jackass or a whisperer.
Be a whispering jackass, I say!
February 25, 2020
This book started out great, and I love the idea. Pretty soon it became clear that it wasn’t really seriously a guide - instead it’s a series of one-page hyperbolic descriptions of jackass examples, with unrealistically polarized “Jackass Reactions” and “Whisperer Reactions.” After about half the book, I felt like I was just reading a beefed up list of someone’s pet peeves, and I gave up.
December 23, 2019
This book is a witty jaunt into the life of dealing with the bothersome or jackassy people in everyday life. The situations are amusing and there's a situation for all. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
January 20, 2020
A very quick read (more like a flip calendar style book where you can read one page a day). Lots of LOL moments and "I can't believe this has happened to someone else" realizations. Interesting to see how the other side lives when I spend my time as a whisperer.
January 26, 2020
I thought I’d read all about the jackasses who annoy me on the daily. I had that joy... but also received an education on how I can be one too (no surprise!). I really enjoyed this light hearted read and appreciate Alison and Scott’s sense of humor.
February 29, 2020
Some things made me laugh out loud, would clearly be funnier if I knew who this couple are and/or listened to their podcast. Truthfully, people who always talk about this funny/cool/awesome podcast they listen to and are convinced I should to are jackasses to me!
April 10, 2021
We are all jackasses! Lol. This was a quick and funny read. You will find real life scenarios with two ways to respond to the situation ... 1 being a Jackass Reaction and 2 being a Jackass Whisper response. This is not intended for serious advice, or is it? lol. Very creative.
November 22, 2019
Easy to read, sharp, funny, a little bit of clever goes a long way (even in a short book).
December 18, 2019
The Jackass Whisperer is a humorous and informative book that I would buy. It makes some great points and it is well written.
January 8, 2020
Endless entertainment and insight. Numerous laugh-out-loud moments.
January 11, 2020
I got this book from my dad at our family’s Christmas book exchange. I can be a bit of a Jackass, but most of the time I’m a Whisperer. 😁
January 12, 2020
Quick and easy read. Wish there would have been a few more stories in here but overall pretty funny and true!!
May 10, 2020
Tons of fun. I'm working frontline in a hospital during this pandemic and needed some serious laughs. It delivers.
And guys, I accept your apology!
And guys, I accept your apology!
September 9, 2020
Shhhh. They're all around us. The jackasses have invaded and are a plague upon the earth. This book will teach you how to thwart their jackass plans. Must read.
October 11, 2024
Wasn’t a fan of this style of writing
February 27, 2025
Just a fun book. 😆
May 2, 2020
The Jackass Whisperer by Scott and Alison Stratten is a lighthearted look at how to deal with the many forms of jackass you’ll encounter – including yourself. And these encounters are inevitable; “When you put a lot of humans into one space, Jackasses happen. It’s just science.”
The book caught my eye because in Daring Greatly, Brené Brown uses this fabulous quote from the book, “Don’t try to win over the haters; you are not a jackass whisperer.”
The book is divided into sections based on where you would find the jackass: in the wild, at work, at the gym, at the mall, online, at school, in transit, and with a kid. Each page has a scenario followed by a jackass response and a jackass whisperer response. And judging by my response preferences, I am much more of a jackass than a jackass whisperer.
When the jackass wants you to smile, the jackass response is: “You stare them down with the rage of a thousand customers. Possible replies include, ‘Maybe you should smile less,’ or, ‘I can’t; smiling killed my father.” Meanwhile, the rather dull whisperer response is to just smile. Come on, now, who wants to be boring?
For the jackass who is always trying to one-up everyone, the jackass response is to “name drop and tell them the story about breaking every bone in your body when skydiving with a chinchilla. Let’s see them top that!”
I was particularly interested in the Jackass who leaves work early and shows up late, as there are a number of those at my own workplace. The jackass strategy: “You call a meeting to discuss ‘new’ technologies such as GPS and Google Maps and include a copy of Captain Late-to-Work’s route from home for everyone to evaluate.” The whisperer response: “You let them know privately that this is affecting everyone because they’re such an important part of the team.” Jackass all the way, baby.
There was the “deep-googling Jackas (a.k.a. Captain Creepy)”, which would be me except that in their scenario, the deep-googler lets you know; I keep my Google-stalking private. There was also mention of the TMI Jackass, to which I saw bring on the warty feet!
The section on travel notes that air travel is “basically a Jackass stew.” One of the jackass varieties that showed up was one with an emotional support squirrel. Personally, I’d prefer a llama; the spitting could come in handy.
The Jackass who comments that you must be pregnant and about ready to pop – the Jackass response: “Yes I am, and the Big Mac I ate earlier is the father.” I might have to use that someday.
This book is a lot of fun, and a great way to get down with your jackass self.
I received a reviewer copy of this book from www.netgalley.com.
This review first appeared on https://mentalhealthathome.org/2019/1...
The book caught my eye because in Daring Greatly, Brené Brown uses this fabulous quote from the book, “Don’t try to win over the haters; you are not a jackass whisperer.”
The book is divided into sections based on where you would find the jackass: in the wild, at work, at the gym, at the mall, online, at school, in transit, and with a kid. Each page has a scenario followed by a jackass response and a jackass whisperer response. And judging by my response preferences, I am much more of a jackass than a jackass whisperer.
When the jackass wants you to smile, the jackass response is: “You stare them down with the rage of a thousand customers. Possible replies include, ‘Maybe you should smile less,’ or, ‘I can’t; smiling killed my father.” Meanwhile, the rather dull whisperer response is to just smile. Come on, now, who wants to be boring?
For the jackass who is always trying to one-up everyone, the jackass response is to “name drop and tell them the story about breaking every bone in your body when skydiving with a chinchilla. Let’s see them top that!”
I was particularly interested in the Jackass who leaves work early and shows up late, as there are a number of those at my own workplace. The jackass strategy: “You call a meeting to discuss ‘new’ technologies such as GPS and Google Maps and include a copy of Captain Late-to-Work’s route from home for everyone to evaluate.” The whisperer response: “You let them know privately that this is affecting everyone because they’re such an important part of the team.” Jackass all the way, baby.
There was the “deep-googling Jackas (a.k.a. Captain Creepy)”, which would be me except that in their scenario, the deep-googler lets you know; I keep my Google-stalking private. There was also mention of the TMI Jackass, to which I saw bring on the warty feet!
The section on travel notes that air travel is “basically a Jackass stew.” One of the jackass varieties that showed up was one with an emotional support squirrel. Personally, I’d prefer a llama; the spitting could come in handy.
The Jackass who comments that you must be pregnant and about ready to pop – the Jackass response: “Yes I am, and the Big Mac I ate earlier is the father.” I might have to use that someday.
This book is a lot of fun, and a great way to get down with your jackass self.
I received a reviewer copy of this book from www.netgalley.com.
This review first appeared on https://mentalhealthathome.org/2019/1...
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