50 People With Main Character Syndrome Who Got Called Out And Shamed Online (New Pics)

We are living in an age of entitlement. People parading their importance left, right and center. For all the world to see.

Whether they're jumping queues, demanding a seat at a restaurant without a reservation or going as far as asking, "Do you know who I am?!" (as if they've somehow forgotten their name), these Karens and Kevins believe they're better than everyone else. And they're convinced the the rest of humanity owes them something.

So why are some people able to be decent human beings while others live in a self-absorbed golden bubble, high up on a diamond pedestal?

According to the experts, entitlement is a narcissistic personality trait. But this doesn't mean all entitled people are narcissists. In psychology, entitlement is referred to a “a personality trait characterized by pervasive feelings of deservingness, specialness, and exaggerated expectations.” And those with a sense of entitlement believe they deserve special treatment, certain privileges, or additional resources.

"They typically believe that rules don’t apply to them. They think they deserve success, happiness, and respect without having to work for it and are often unwilling to acknowledge or appreciate the contributions of others," notes the Berkeley Well-Being Institute.

And while they can define it, the experts can't always say exactly how this sense of self-importance develops. But there are a few factors that could be at play.

For example, the environment you grew up in, the way your parents treated you, whether you solved your own problems or depended on adults to do it for you and how you were or are treated by those in charge.

Sometimes childhood trauma can pivot a perfectly decent human being into a terribly self-absorbed person. This is because they turn to entitlement as a way to cope with their emotional pain. They might even truly believe that they deserve special treatment because of all the suffering they've endured.

And when trauma wasn't involved, an entitled person could have their parents to blame for how they now treat others. "Children who are raised by overprotective or permissive parents may be more likely to develop a sense of entitlement," explains the Berkeley site. "This is because these parenting styles may lead children to believe that they are special and deserving of special treatment, even when they have not earned it."

Sometimes a sense of entitlement develops because of where someone grew up. Mary who lived in a mansion is more likely to believe the rules don't apply to her than Shannon who struggled in a shack. It's a theory that's backed up by research.

"Studies show that people who experienced higher socioeconomic status from childhood on are more prone to feelings of entitlement," explains the Berkeley site, adding that people who came from a lower socioeconomic background in childhood but became “upwardly mobile” express gratitude for assistance they may have received.

If some of the posts on this listicle make you feel seen and called out, you might struggle with a sense of entitlement. Maybe you don't care (and we understand why) but if it bothers you, here's some advice...

Firstly, check yourself; know that it is possible to change. But only if you want to. The golden rule, according to the WebMD site, is to treat others the way you want to be treated. "Practicing gratitude and humility can help you become more responsible and considerate," notes the site.

It's also important to understand and recognize that life is not always fair. "If you’re in a situation you think is unfair, pause for a minute and think about the greater good," advises WebMD. "Is it right that because you’re paying tuition you must get a good grade? Consider how the world would look if no one else had to work for their grades."

The next nugget of advice ties in with the golden rule, and it goes a little something like this: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

"Use respect and kindness when interacting with others," advises WebMD. "Everyone is a human being with feelings and struggles of their own. Go easy on others. Be sympathetic to their needs."

And finally, just as others aren't perfect, neither are you. Learn from your f-ups. "Treat failure as a learning tool," the site suggests. "Failing isn’t the end of the world. Mistakes that were made can be corrected next time. Never stop learning, and look for value in failure."