Greetings Bitter People of the Internet Blogosphere. Bitter Ben here from First World Problemia. I have a complaining-about-first-world-problems problem and people at work started noticing so they started calling me Bitter Ben. A long time ago, I learned in marketing that you should find a need and fill it. I started noticing that a lot of people like to complain about little things, but they felt ashamed to do it, because they felt like they were being petty. So I came up with the idea to start a 900 line (1-900-BITR-BEN), where people could call and complain about all the little things that drove them crazy, but the twist was that the Customer Service Rep could also complain back. This would not only allow all the complainers to get it out of their systems, but the call would be longer and I would get more money. This lead me to come up with my tag line, “We make bitter better.” That idea failed because of a number of reasons, so instead I did the next best thing. Start a blog with the same mission. For free. For now. But someday, you will be eating in Bitter Themed Restaurants, reading Bitter themed novels, and wearing bitter oversized T-shirts. Everytime you hear someone say bitter you will think of me or this blog and you will pay a fee just for thinking about it.
So for now, jump into this safe bitter filled environment, where you are free to complain as bitterly as you like. No matter how petty, all bitterness is free to roam these wide open bitter halls, or meadows if you prefer. Comment the heck out of every post, because you can be sure I will comment right back with more bitterness. Let’s “Make Bitter Better”.
Bitter Ben
Some Bitter Posts to get you started:
The two posts that miraculously got Freshly Pressed:
Some other Popular Bitter Posts:
And a few of my Bitter Favorites:
Guardians of the Bendrameda Galaxy
The Four Chambers of my Bitter Heart
Surviving Work Disasters Bitterness
From the Bitter Benzoac Era to the Bitter Twitter Era
Don’t forget to follow the Bitterness elsewhere:

Credit to Michelle of Life as I Know It for this cartoon version of me.

Hi Ben, Thanks for following my blog. I certainly would not want you to be bitter about me. Yours is a unique idea for a blog and for some reason I like it.
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Well, I’m bitter about everyone and everything, but less about some. In other words, it may be a while before I do a bitter post about you.
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Hahaha 🙂 Awesome idea for the blog 🙂 Thanks for the like on my blog (wordtripping.wordpress.com). Will look forward to reading subsequent posts from you!
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Let the bitter be with you.
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Bitter cars (con’t) – Yes Ben, there are Bitter cars and they’re both rare and yet amazingly affordable. The best website to see them is http://www.bittercars.com, or here is the url for one of mine. http://s195.photobucket.com/user/timo1938/library/1985%20Bitter%20SC/Bitter%20number%20402
I am a very outspoken supporter of these cars and everything related to Erich Bitter. – if anybody is interested in learning about Bitter cars, please send me a note (obrienboysatgmaildotcom). I’d be happy to share and encourage your interest.
Best regards
Tim
FWIW – I requested the personalized Colorado license plate “Bitter” and was rejected. so I’ve got “Bttr SC” – but “BttrBen” would certainly fit as well.
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I just checked with the state of Washington and it says that BITRBEN is not taken. It is almost a done deal. By the way, your revelation that there is a whole subsection of cars called Bitter Cars opened up a whole world of possibilites. I will probably be using this info for a future post.
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Dear Bitter Ben. If you are looking for a sweet Bitter car – please send me an e-mail. I’m a Bitter Car fanatic and found your site while searching for the rare and remaining Bitter SC. A Bitter guy like you, needs a Bitter car. I can help you find one. – Best regards Tim
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A bitter car salesman? There is such a thing? I definitely need a bitter car, but my car with a few more dents would be bitter enough. I definitely need a license plate that says BITRBEN.
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Bitterness goes well with Kelp. Thanks for the like. Kelp shall follow your bitterness with great awe and much chocolate.
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And kelp and chocolate go together like Bitter and Ben.
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For reasons I cannot explain, I find you hilariously biting and a bit clever.
I’m afraid it may mean that I am bitter as well.
It’s possible.
Either way, I’ll be back.
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It’s about the time you realized that you are bitter. I would like to say that I am the opposite of a motivational speaker. I bring out the bitter deep inside that people have been ignoring their whole lives and helping them embrace it.
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Hello! Enjoy the nomination for the Bouquet of Awards! Have a nice day!
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Hi, thanks for stopping by and liking my post! 😀
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Well Ben, 1st off thanks for stopping by my blog and giving me a “like” I do appreciate it. Myself, I am 63 and heard a lot of whining in my time, your 900 number may in fact solve many problems. Good luck in whatever direction you choose. Take care, Bill
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To a bitter world!
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Are you related to Lemony Snickets?
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No, he is related to me. He is my bitter younger brother who went on to fame and fortune while I am relegated to this tiny corner of the internet bitter blogging. I will get my revenge against him someday.
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Definitely let me know when you get your revenge. Lemony has it coming.
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Why my parents named him Lemony I will never guess. All I know is that I will be the Lemon to his papercut.
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Or knife cut. Depends on how bitter you are.
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If you cut me open I would drip out rhubarb.
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😆
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Hello Ben, I nominated your blog for the Shine on Award!
Have a good week ahead!!
http://baconandjackrussells.com/2013/06/23/shine-on/
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There is nothing Sunshiny about me. Have you ever read my blog? You must have been desperate to find someone, so thanks for thinking bitterly of me.
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Haha, have a great bitter week ahead!!!
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I do have a full week of bitterness ahead.
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Ben you have a great blog that makes me laugh out loud and I feel good and happy after reading your posts. I know this is not what you want to hear but I figure my warm sentiments will add to your bitterness and that should make you happy …
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Clearly you have not understood my mission in life. I am trying to make the whole world bitter and you are the last one left that hasn’t gone bitter. Could you go ahead and just be bitter so I don’t have to get off the couch and send my bitter attack dogs to your house and bite you with their bitter venom.
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Well, I could try as I don’t want to force you off your couch but I think at least one member of the human race needs to remain bitter-free if only as a nostalgic reminder of long ago bitter free days . . .
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Nah we don’t need any, but you aren’t even the only positive follower I have. I need to start working harder at making people bitter.
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Hi Ben
Pleased to meet you. :).
My name is Kevin Gillespie, I do, MUCH prefer to be called Kev though. :).
I live in Wales, & am now Following your Blog. :).
Best Wishes
Kev. 🙂
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Thanks dude.
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I nominated you for an a “Shine On” award. Go to http://funnyphilosopher.wordpress.com/ (6-18) for details.
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The sun is too shiny for a bitter guy that hides on his darkened couch. I will have Superman place the award on the sun when I get a chance.
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Hey, I have lupus and shouldn’t even be in the sun. I’m a chromophobe.
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Good thing Superman can deliver that to the sun for us them. I’ve been known to burn a little when exposed to sun.
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Hey Ben, I hope you don’t mind that I shared some bitterness for a good cause.
http://badanemone.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/kickstart-war-save-a-sturgeon-versus-the-roboroach/
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You can share bitterness as long as it is for a bitter cause.
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Ben! I came here to thank you for leaving the “likes” on my blog from time to time. After I arrived I said to myself, “Self, you REALLY need to follow Ben!” I always listen to myself.
Have a bittersweet week. –John
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Listening to yourself is usually right, except in this case. Sorry about that bad idea.
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Ben–In the spirit of things I believe it will make your day to know that I feel just awful about my decision.
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Let’s just say that I am bitter about everything so you can feel however you want.
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Hey Ben, neat new style! Diligent dodger you 🙂
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You think so? You are the first to even comment on it? I think some people saw the blog and thought I had quit or something.
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I’m really the first?! Was already wondering when I read the comments…. And yes, my first reaction was ‘ups, I’m wrong’. Crap old computer gone astray… What a differenc a week makes 🙂 I’ m glad that you are still there!
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Bitterness will always be here. Someone will take over after i die.
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Thanks for the follow! Interesting idea you have here. Will check it out for myself.
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It would be great if I wasn’t so bitter.
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Hi, thanks for stopping by and liking my posts! 😀
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Thank you for liking my posts. I am enjoying reading about your “bitterness” and your quirkiness. Very entertaining.
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I promise to entertain by my bitterness as long as you keep reading.
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Hey Ben
Thanks for the like on my post
http://creativechemistryinc.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/different-times-differents-thought/
Regards
Ramesh
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Hey BB (Bitter Ben), it’s Skinny. Here’s one for you: If you put the bitter butter with the better butter it makes the bitter butter better and the better butter bitter.
My father said that to me at least a thousand times.
You are a funny guy, despite the bitterness. I like reading you.
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Butter makes me bitter because it doesn’t make me skinny.
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Phew! Got here in the end! All the scrolling has given me RSI!
After deciding to take a break from the normal heartbreak blogs I usually read I was hoping for a like minded fellow bitterite (?!) but it’s just a big love in. Where is the bitterness? I’m disappointed…and a little bitter. Oh…I just got the irony…now I’m happy…or am I?!
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Sorry, I know my previous comment is still awaiting moderation but it’s 10am here and I have nothing better to do right now so i thought I’d share my feelings on the title of your blog. Lets face it not much thought went into ‘Ben’s Bitter Blog’ did it? I feel like it was decided upon during a session down the pub and it ended up being scribbled down on the back of a fag packet?!
So here are my ideas for a new name :
From Here To Bitternity
Bitter The Devil You Know
Getting Bitter Everyday
It’s A Bitter Sweet Symphony That’s Life (ok, this is just a lyric but I’m boring myself now)
At best I’ve given you some pretty good new names for your blog I think you’ll agree, at worst you’ll be glad that you opted to moderate comments and who knows I might have left you feeling bitter for taking up your time with my pointless replies in which case you should be happy…or bitter…whatever.
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I think you’ve mistaken me for someone who makes changes. I might change to a number of clever titles if I had ambition or goals or the desire to anything but the laziest, bitterest person.
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Disappointment is what I do. Disappoint my father, my family, my employer, and especially people who read this blog. Any kind of expectations you have about it will be met with disappointment and bitterness.
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You disappoint people who read you blog, and yet you receive so many readers, you disappoint your employer and yet you keep your job and get paid!?
Can I tell you I am so bitter and envious to know your good fortune? I will read some of your posts and get more bitter till my bitterness explodes and burns the world entire.
By the way, Thanks for liking my post on Philip Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint:
http://rajivthind.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/in-praise-of-philip-roths-portnoys-complaint/
I hope some of Portnoy’s quotes were bitter enough for you 😉
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Anytime I have sucess I just get more bitter. Everytime I get a reader it is just one more annoyance and one more to respond to. Taking up all my bitter lazy time, by responding bitterly to people.
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I had to scroll down this freakishly long line of comments to add my own. That says something about the popularity of bitterness, I suppose. Or the popularity of Ben. I guess it’s open to interpretation. Anyway, how the hell did I end up in your Bitterland? I have no idea. But I’m glad that I did, as it’s freakishly awesome in a dry, sour kind of way. I am following you now, and it’s entirely your fault if I end up losing friends. I’m known for being sweet. You’re a corrupting influence!
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Just so you know, once you enter Bitterland, you never get to leave. Or if you do, it requires a large fee. You’re better off just staying and becoming bitter like the rest of us.
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Why so bitter, Ben?
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Wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for a Liebster Award, which should totally ruin your day. Thanks for the snark!
You’ll see more details of your trials and tribulations, should you accept the nomination at http://createdbyrcw.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/another-liebster-award/
Cheers! Randy
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I am very bitter for being nominated. Thanks a lot! Not I’m going to have to go to some awards show and dress up. Unless I can wear shorts to this Liebster award thing.
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Meow! Thanks for the visit to Furandsteel and liking my newest post.
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And here I came here thinking we were going to talk about beer . . .
Now *I’m* bitter!
(That’s my way of saying . . . I feel conflicted because I don’t like bitterness, but I like this blog. A lot.)
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I apoligize for causing such bitternness(that is bitternness with two nn’s) and confliction, Jenn with two NN’s. If I knew anything about beer, I would try to talk about that. But I only talk about what I know, complaining a lot about stuff I don’t like.
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Well . . . try beer then. You might not like it. 🙂
I’m pretty sure “bitternness” is the condition of some birds: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bittern
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So now birds are trying to steal my thunder? Next thing you know, rhubarb will want to be bitter. Write your own blog rhubarb.
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🙂 There’s some taking over my back yard as we speak.
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Dang bittern birds. Be careful. They are probably tweeting about you right now.
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Ooo–nice one.
Although I had moved on to rhubarb in that last comment.
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I knew that of course. The rhubarbs are tweeting about you as well.
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Indubitably. I KNEW I was gonna be famous!
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I know right? The Rhubarb has at least 1.2 million followers. And a very popular blog.
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Ima google it.
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Or Bing it for more bitterness.
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Ooo–good idea.
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I’m full of bitter ideas.
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Not quite a bitter comment, but love the blog! unique and funny 🙂
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Welcome to Bitterland. Please keep your hands and feet inside the ride because it is going to get bitter in here!
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I’m terribly sorry but I’ve nominated you for an award:
http://ardenrr.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/id-like-to-thank-the-academy-sweet-baby-jesus-ummmm-im-missing-someone/
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You should be sorry. I have so many of those pieces of cyber awards from so many people that mistake me for inspiring or German…they make me bitter. However, because you have taken the time to realize that I don’t like them and that my blog is bitter I shall award you with a bitter ,”Thanks for reading my blog and finding it worth your 10 or so seconds to read this bitter mess.”
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I will take that award and I’m gonna make a trophy for it that I will cherish forever. I just hope that “Thanks for reading my blog and finding it worth your 10 or so seconds to read this bitter mess” fits on a small plaque…
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I showed up to one of these awards shows once and no one was there. They did however fit a huge sentence on the award, so it is possible.
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thanks for dropping by my blog…
i believe in joy and happiness but love to laugh at the humor in “good funny” and wit
have an awesome albeit bitter day 🙂
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Thanks for dropping back. Always fun to see people realize my vision of bitterness with a slice of humor, or humor with a large slice of bitterness.
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This blog is HILARIOUS. I’m glad I discovered it–I could use the laughs!
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Welcome to Bitterland. Please come back again and again so I can get rich.
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Thought your Tag is … undescribable. Glad to be aboard. I use to be a tree.
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Do your worst dude.
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I do my best when it comes to being bitter about things.
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Hey, the bitter makes the sweeter even better!! Thanks for reminding me that it’s okay to be salty now and then 🙂
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I know nothing of this sweet of which you speak. My tongue only has one type of tastebud. Bitter. Maybe someday I will learn what sweet is.
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Have you reflected on the fact that you have bitter tastebuds? Do some tongue research….electron microscope images of tastebuds is pretty cool too…..thanks for visiting my blog too…
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Rare people like me have only bitter taste buds, no sweet, sour, or others, just bitter.
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I have nominated you for The Sweet Blogging Award:
http://thesoundoflaughter.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/sweet-blogging-award-nomination/
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There is nothing sweet about me. Thanks.
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Hey funny man, I’ve just nominated you for “The Beautiful Blogger Award.” I realize awards are not your thing, but you fit into my acceptance speech! 🙂 http://honeydidyouseethat.wordpress.com/
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Thank you so much! Now I am going to have to write something nice or something. Just kidding. I won’t write anything nice.
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Thank you for checking out my site & liking it. I love your sense of bitter humor! Fits perfectly with my outlook on life. I look forward to reading & sharing more of your bitter musings.
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Bitterness is the best medicine right? Wait it isn’t? Well it is for me. So you know..thanks for stopping by.
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i was actually looking forward to a bitter experience but its like someone has tempered with it
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It is our unalienable right to be bitter. You don’t have to take anyone messing with your bitterness!
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You please write about parades. I hate them. I am not quite bitter enough to do justice to how much they suck. Don’t mean to make you more bitter by making this request. Oh wait. Maybe I do.
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I will think about it. I usually don’t go to parades because it involves walking and driving someplace and watching other people walk. It sounds exhausting. I might as well watch a marathon. The more that I think about it, it sounds even more like a good subject.
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Although my current motto is: “I never sweat on purpose,” I used to march in parades. They are a lot more fun to march in than they are to watch, especially if you are watching the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade. Yawn. That said, I could get very bitter when I had to march behind animals. Horses weren’t too bad, but you never want to get behind an elephant. Trust me on this.
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Definitely parade bitterness.
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Ha! I really enjoy your blog. as a bitter bartender serving a bitter clientele i find it a lot easier to just have a laugh– and if it’s ever too much to stomach bitters and soda usually does the trick! keep up the good work!
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I can see how your job would also make you very bitter. Welcome to bitter central where all your bitter needs are met.
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I’m bitter about supermarket and bottle- recycling- decives today. They thief my lifetime! Open up your hotline – I’m moan-mood today!
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Moan all you want on my bitter hotline. It is only $3 a minute.
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I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. I’ve done this because I want people to know how much I enjoy your blog. You don’t have to pass this award to others, but I hope you will. You can read about your nomination here:
http://crankycaregiver.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/the-versatile-blogger-award/
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I accept your nomination and will show up at the versatile bitter awards ceremony in Hollywood, California, where I will be the only one that shows up and therefore wins. Everyone else will not show up because they are afraid of how bitter I am.
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Aw, I bet you’re just one big Teddy Bear! You don’t scare me! I’m gonna ride my bike to the Awards so they can see what happens when Bitter and Cranky are in the same room! 🙂
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So there will be two there, but I will win. Then become bitter about it.
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🙂
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If you want bitter, just keep checking me out! Thanks for noticing my cranky old man blog. Yours is just up my alley!
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Sounds like we could be in the same bitter blog neighborhood.
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I involved you in the blogosphere’s equivalent of a chain letter by nominating you for a Liebster Award. It’s kind of a pain, but you can find details at my blog.
I just realized you may have too many followers, but this has taken too much time already.
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Noooo! But thanks. I will cherish it will all my bitter heart.
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Hello Ben : )
I would like to ask for your thoughts on my latest bitter posts, which explain more of my concerns about the first world. It’s not only about the infrastructure and technology, it is much graver than that.
In your latest reply to me you mentioned: “Let’s take this first world problem thing on the road!” Well, that’s what I am doing on my blog, or at least am trying.
Most of us tend to think that our system is flawed but friendly, it is the least of all evils and it will always adjust itself. This is a huge misconception. We are in big trouble – and I am talking about the FIRST world.
The posts I would like you to look at are on the home page: http://familyhurts.wordpress.com/
for now especially these two:
“The end of capitalism 1/3: right back into the game”
“The end of capitalism 2/3: new feudalism via a global-scale foreclosure?”
(Today I will post the third part)
I would like to ask for some support for this cause, both from you and from your friends/followers. You guys are brilliant and these concerns need insightful, knowledgeable and responsible people.
Thanks a lot for your attention 🙂
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I actually don’t know much about those things. I am just a bitter person talking about bitter things, but I will take a look at your blog and give my “expert” opinion.
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Thank you 🙂
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Will do my best this weekend when I get a few moments.
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A phone line for complaining. They should have put that one on Shark-Tank. Beats the guy who claimed he could make gold out of ocean water put through a hurricane-machine. People pay $100 dollars an hour to complain to a shrink who isn’t listening. This is another one of those ‘Why didn’t I think of that’?
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What I would do is go on the Shark Tank and insult every one of them in the deepest and most personal way. Then when each one started to rail at me, I tell them to stop and call the bitter line. They would spend hours telling me what an idiot I was and I would make millions.
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I’m a bit better for your stopping by my blog. I’ll be bitter if you don’t make it a habit!
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Howdy; it is my honor to notify you that you have been nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Take a look at this page for rules and requirements. Best of luck to you! 🙂
http://darkstarpublishing.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/a-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
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Thanks! You will see my award from you on my Awards page!
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