It's atypical of juvenile males and entitlement. Especially nowadays. When someone makes the effort to be a decent and trustworthy individual, displaying polity, they tend to attract people of equal calibre and - especially - attractive women who feel safe talking to them because they don't act like a perambulatory sound activated dildo. That's the bit that really upsets the ones who become envious as they haven't the social skills or maturity to change their ways. Like toddlers.

"Why does Shelley like JAMES? I mean Bobby sells cocaine BRUH lmao" etc etc. yeah. But it ain't what the woman wants.

Maintaining eye contact instead of staring at someone's body parts, honesty and a shoulder to lean on as a friend is a low bar to clear. Some just want to shuffle through life, make zero effort, then moan they've got nothing of note about themselves. They also tend to be really good at throwing hands, as self reliant loners, so all people can do is bitch and whine behind their backs. That's why the ones who perceived him as better got so irritated at him in the show.

I believe the phrase nowadays would be "cope." It's generational. Back then most people would probably stare and mouth off under their breath, those kind of individuals were a bit more common as an archetype. For a lot of younger males, watching it now would provoke a derisive reaction due to their lack of self awareness.

It's the old adage: nobody's ever jealous of someone less successful than themselves.

Like I say. Low bar. He's not exactly deep, just quiet. I think people get a bit surprised when they find out that's all there is to it. Some people are just like that.

Her eyes are up there.

(Edit: some seem to be taking this really personal. I'm not a "James", I wasn't as a Gen X youth in the early nineties either. Knew a few similar guys. Certainly wasn't like the ones that'd get mad about it. It's whatever. You do you.)