Considering many of the public personalities we venerate, these findings make a lot of sense, though I would like to see a follow on study that examines observer perceptions when the rude rule breakers are caught.

FORBES: Why Absolute Rudeness Impresses Absolutely

Finally, while not detracting from the important contributions of the people acknowledged in Mr Sachs's footnote, I would like to point out that many others contributed to the Bank's study.

ECONOMIST: Growth and geography