They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, and it is true indeed that there isn’t really much art to this particular brand of humor. However that doesn’t mean that it can’t also be hurtful and scathing and in many cases sarcasm can be difficult to bear. Though it is often meant humorously and often intended as a joke, and though it sometimes is genuinely funny, sarcasm often relies on putting another person down and as a result will often make those people look or feel small as a result. Here we will look at what sarcasm is, how it works, why people use it and how to protect yourself from it.
Mechanics of Sarcasm
Sarcasm is very simply put when someone says something that everyone knows is untrue in order to draw attention to its ridiculousness. When it is used aggressively then, this will often mean taking what you have said out of context and exaggerating it to the point where it appears a stupid or inane. This can then sometimes provide humor by pointing out how absurd the situation or comment would be – but at the same time it is often essentially a mockery of your original comment which is why it can be so hurtful and destructive. In other situations the same effect can be achieved through ironic comments – again often critical or damaging. For instance a comment such as ‘remember to eat – don’t starve yourself!’ delivered to someone overweight would also be a form of sarcasm. Often it can be hard to distinguish between a sarcastic and an earnest comment and this can make it hard to call someone on their use of sarcasm. Usually the main indicator of sarcasm is a vocal inflection and this means it tends not to work in the written form.
The Psychology of Sarcasm
So first of all, why are people sarcastic in the first place? Well there are several reasons that someone might be sarcastic and the nature of their sarcasm and how best to deal with it will often depend on the form of sarcasm they are using against you. The question you have to ask yourself is – is this passive sarcasm designed to be humorous that has the unintentional impact of upsetting you? Or is it aggressive sarcasm that is designed intentionally to be belittling and hurtful? Once you ascertain this, you can then better decide how to progress.
If the sarcasm is designed first of all as humor then you will notice that the individual is persistently sarcastic – about themselves and about other things rather than just directing it toward you. In this case you still need to deal with the sarcasm if it is hurting you, but you can do so in a more pleasant manner and should recognize that the person probably isn’t even aware they are being hurtful. At the end of the day though they are still getting a laugh at your expense so you need to correct the behavior.
However if the sarcasm seems to be particularly directed toward you, and if it mostly consists of mimicking you in an unpleasant manner, then this is the sort of sarcasm that that person is using more maliciously. This form of sarcasm is normally used as a way for that person to try and improve their own standing and reputation by putting you down. They might then use sarcasm with the intention of making you look foolish and through doing this they then hope to make themselves look more intelligent and move further up the hierarchy. Such people tend to have low self esteem and so require the use of put downs such as sarcasm in order to try and make themselves feel or look better. These people are like leaches on your self esteem and it’s important not to let the problem get to you.
How to Deal With Sarcasm
If someone is using sarcasm scathingly and if they are damaging your self esteem or reputation, or taking the enjoyment out of social occasions – then you need to address the issue and get them to stop. If someone thinks they can keep trying to belittle you by using sarcasm then you need to show them that they are wrong and look after your reputation without letting them walk on it. There are a few ways that you can deal with sarcasm and different strategies will work better in different circumstances and with different people. Here we will look at some potential options.
Don’t Acknowledge It: One option is to refuse to acknowledge the sarcastic comments and instead treat them as genuine. This way you can quickly move the subject on, show the person that you are unhappy with their comments, and at the same time often turn it around so that they end up being the ones who look stupid.
So an exchange might go like this:
‘How did you get here?’
‘I flew… how do you think I got here?’
‘You flew? You want to think about your carbon footprint’
Another way to ignore the sarcasm is to ignore the comment completely – so just turn away and start talking to someone else as soon as you get a hint of the sarcastic tone. This communicates to them that you are bored with/tired of their comments and you are unimpressed and means they aren’t getting the attention they want.
Retaliate: Perhaps the opposite strategy is to bite back with sarcasm of your own – this way upping the ante and making people forget their sarcastic comment and instead focus on yours. So for instance to use the previous example.
‘Don’t go hungry – remember to eat!’
‘Yeah thanks, don’t choke and die’
If you can make yours funnier than theirs then you will come out of the exchange on top and furthermore if you can make your sarcasm biting enough then you may make the person think twice before using sarcasm against you in future as they choose to instead move to easier targets.
Be Inane: By using an inane come back in reaction to a sarcastic comment you leave no avenue for retaliation while at the same time getting a laugh and demonstrating that you don’t care about their comment. For instance then:
‘How did you get here?’
‘I flew, how do you think I got here?’
‘mi mi mi mi mi, I’m Joe!’
Scold: You can also shoot down sarcastic comments by scolding the person using them and if you do this correctly then you can make them feel small as a result while at the same time pointing out how childish they are. The previous examples are perfect for if you if you are happy to stoop to their level, but if you’d rather keep some decorum and integrity then this is the better strategy.
For instance then:
‘How did you get here?’
‘I flew’
‘Don’t be stupid Joe’
Or alternatively:
‘If you’re going to be stupid/sarcastic then I shall not talk to you in future’
Point Out Their Motives: If someone has used sarcasm in order to make you look bad and themselves look better by extension then this is an unattractive quality and you can turn it around by pointing out their motives. So for instance just say ‘stop trying to show off in front of your friends’ or ‘sarcasm doesn’t make you sound clever Joe’.
Correct: Similarly you can put down sarcasm by correcting their comment and pointing out how stupid it was and by explaining your original point. So if they told you they flew then you would just say ‘I know you didn’t fly Joe, I was asking because you might have come by train’ and this way you have very quickly made their comment look churlish and petty.
Tell Them: If they are making you unhappy with their sarcasm but it’s unintentional, or if you have tried other strategies to get them to stop and it hasn’t worked, then you can try just telling them that you’re not happy with their attitude. If they are a good friend and you draw attention to something that is upsetting you then they should just stop. At the same time even if it doesn’t go that way then it should at least give them a heads up so that they know why you are acting differently toward them.
Cut Ties: Ultimately if this person is using sarcasm to try and make you feel bad about yourself or to get ahead of you then they aren’t a good friend, or they have low confidence that is affecting your relationship negatively and you will be better off either cutting ties completely or just giving them some time to work through whatever it is that’s upsetting them.
I am sarcastic and that gives me the point to be smarter!
THNX PPL WHO MADE THIS WEBSITE
IT HELPS SARCASTIC PPLZ!!!!!!!!!!
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, rooted in anger and takes no intelligence. No one likes it. If someone cracks a joke at your personal expense, you would not like it and likely get very defensive, let it fester until you could come up with a more egregious sarcastic remark… ultimately destroying the relationship with your toxic behavior. Grow up!
Hmm… Sounds like someone needs a hug. You’ve been hurt haven’t you? Don’t worry. Sounds like your pain has been converted into judgement.
Sarcasm is among the highest forms of humor. Stupid people can’t even detect it.
If you have a weak ego and low self-esteem, that’s your problem.
I love when people can give and receive sarcasm appropriately. Don’t confuse it with being sardonic.
Sarcastic people are insecure indeed.
Excellent article… sarcastic people love to inject their own poison into others… very sad folk!
Nice one (sarcasm),
Some people are sarcastic and you shouldn't be so arrogant as to think you have the right to "correct" them. You don't have to get sarcasm, but you do need to get over it. People say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but I would suggest quotable sayings and retorts (like "sarcasm is the lowest form of wit") are in fact lower, as they require no mental investment or ingenuity at all.
And saying "sarcastic people are so insecure" is definitely not an insecure thing to say (Sarcasm). Sarcasm, for the most part, is just an attempt to be humorous, you do remember laughing, don't you? (Sarcasm).
PS – Dear Mr. Sensitivity (Sarcasm) "a comment such as 'remember to eat – don't starve yourself!' delivered to someone overweight would also be a form of sarcasm." is a grossly offensive assumption that implies that everyone overweight is certain to compulsively eat at any opportunity.
From a psychological point of view… you just don’t “get” the article at all. You either disagree or point out exactly what the article is talking about… re-read it with an open mind to understand psychology and how it might apply to you.
"How did you get here?"
"I flew… How do you think I got here."
"I hope it was a two-way ticket." -or-
"Can I ask the f* questions here? How about I be in charge for a change? That wouldn't hurt your feelings too badly would it? So, the question was, how did you get here; I mean aside from the 12 years of riding the short bus to school?" and that's how you make em eat it like a pro. My source: 4 years in the Army.
This is SO TRUE!!! I didn't realize till I read this article that I was insecure, I'm so sad, I need help!!! =(
Excellent article!
I think sarcasm can be really humorous especially with ppl you really know.
I tend to disagree somewhat with this article. I understand the intentions and it is very valid. However, I don't think it takes into account if a person is generally positive natured or negative natured. I've seen many articles stating that "dry" wit is a sign of a smart person, and that sarcasm is/can be viewed as a form of dry humor.
I think back to Golden Girls and the character of Dorothy. She was very sarcastic and sometimes intentionally hurtful in doing it. This article fits for that type of personality. But I've also seen people use sarcasm to break tense meetings, or interject humor into a conversation that is getting too serious. If the person using sarcasm is well intended, and used to break tense situations or conversations, I don't think it needs to be addressed as a bad thing.
My staff has often referred to me as being sarcastic, but they use the word "sassy" to describe me. I will at times use sarcasm to point out that things are as bad as someone is portraying. For example, a staff member stated in a serious way that they had made a mistake and commented about their own poor work. I stated something to the effect of 'oh yes, you are so horrible I can't believe you haven't been taken out back and shot.' Everyone laughed, including the person I made the remark too. She then acknowledged that she was a little harsh on herself and I agreed with her and told her that we all learn from mistakes. It took me pointing out how over-the-top she was to put things in perspective.
Well, enough of me rambling on. I just wanted to share a different perspective.
One should always take the high road when dealing with negative attributes. Your personal integrity is worth protecting and saving.
There is a difference between sarcasm and hate. If the person is hateful, avoid them!
Judging from your article you are not a fan of sarcasm. Looks like you took one example of sarcasm and tried to make it sound like that's all it is or ever was. Not true. Sarcasm is tool. That's it. Sometimes it's a great thing to do to be able to laugh off something that is taken waaaay to seriously; kind of like this article. An example: You're getting tortured. The man has walked back with a pair of electrodes he's going to attach to your nipples. You jibe, "Oh, make sure you turn it up all the way to ten, I can't get turned on otherwise." That's called laughing in the face of danger, buying time, and it's an extremely clever thing to do, because while the audience member is riling with anger over your refusal to break down, it buys you time to finish uncuffing your hands to attack him when he gets in your face to tell you to shut up and die. Surprise! Sarcasm just saved your laugh, you dim wit.
A lot of the times, sarcasm can be used wrongly, which is what I'm guessing happened to you, the author, one day. Yeah, like a lot of things, it can be used for wrong, as well as right, good as well as bad. The true master of sarcasm is one that uses it to dispel the illusions built up around the truth, and bring it back down to ground zero. That's just one description. There are a million, I'm sure. But don't go downing sarcasm on the whole. The 'idea' of sarcasm exists because it has a place in our world. It has a good use, somewhere. Like everything else.
I loved the article and appreciated the different approaches to deal with negative situations. I strongly believe sarcasm is evil, cruel and bullish be it passive, aggressive or unconscious.
I read enough of the comments that confirmed there will always be haters in the world, sad indeed. But when I read of someone in positions of power use sarcasm for any reason such as the case of the statement I read of “take you in the back and shoot you” to make a subordinate feel better. I doubt an employee would call a boss sassy out of their presence…, in their presence, of course. It would most likely be “the boss from hell” I had a situation years ago in college; I’m in my seventies now.
I was walking into my college class finishing up a sandwich because at that time I was raising 3 kids and a husband, working two jobs so I frequently ate on the run.
As I sat down, the professor dramatically strides over to my desk, proceeded to lift his leg and place it on my desk with his elbow on knee and with a high volume voice, so the entire class could hear, declared,
“Why is it every time I see you, your elbow bends and your mouth flies open?”
The silence in class was deafening and I looked around at my classmates and their eyes were like owls and mouths open in disbelief that a professor of higher education would stoop to such a gutter level.
It only took me a moment to rebound with my own sarcastic declarative to his question.
I replied, ” oh probably for the same reason that every time you look at me your zipper flies open” the professor quickly took his leg of my desk and began to check his fly at which time I grinned and said, ” don’t worry a dead bird doesn’t fly out of its nest.”
My classmates came up to me after the class to give me high fives and congratulations for putting the professor in his place. As for myself, I was mortified and was sure he would flunk me in his class.
Even though, I was victorious in the battle of sarcasm I not only passed the class with an A+ but I got an apology from the professor. I only wished he would have apologized just as dramatically in public in the classroom as it would have been the most profound lesson for all to learn that our world does not need sarcasm in any way shape or form, especially for the hater negative people in the world. These people were not born like that, they are self-made. They are what I call, “the unconscious walking wounded, who will justify their dry or wet humor at any cost. There is a lot of good empowering uplifting, loving, healing humor in the world and that’s what is needed in our world, especially in the world of today, in my humble opinion.
Thank you for the article and all who wrote in comments.
Peace, Love, Laughter, Healing to All
Love it!
I don’t like sarcasm at all… it’s quite inane and boring.
Agreed.
Sarcasm is hurtful, but I don't think the proper way to address one form of verbal abuse is with more verbal abuse as in, "Don't be stupid Joe", using more sarcasm to retaliate, etc.
Short article, enough info to keep my attention and not so much that I'm overwhelmed.
Many useful hints provided! Thank you!
good useable strategies…
Thanks, my roommate is a sarcastic prick to me. This will hopefully better my living conditions for the year.
All I know is that emotional manipulators DESPISE sarcasm because it is the ultimate way to respond in an arrow-splitting way! This is when you feel cornered by passive aggression but after your gut starts to catch on on a pattern of manipulative control. I once handled a pathological narc this way (after I eventually stopped second guessing myself) and it ended ugly – which was the best part of a so-called friendship 🙂 So, it has it uses. And for most part I will find sarcastic remarks quite amusing but only if they are very sharp.
I am so sarcastic. It's not even funny.
My new friend is sarcastic and now I understand why and don't take it personally.
This article really didn't help me at all. Also, some of the ways that you listed to respond to sarcasm aren't healthy at all, and don't promote healthy relationships.
Excellent article…!!! Explains almost all the possibilities that can occur. People who are intelligent enough to strike a sarcasm should use them only in a positive manner just for fun and creating friendly humours. If it is made in a wrong way, then his intelligence is mere waste. It won't be recognized and his own sarcasm will retaliate him one day.
This article has really improved my life. I used to live in fear of purple saying something sarcastic to me.
I'd barely speak at all around people I had suspicions of them having a deeply suppressed sarcastic side.
Now, I've gotten my life back on track. I have the confidence to tell people that I shall not talk to them in the future if they choose to be sarcastic to me. This one article has transformed me from a lowly, fearing person, into the strong person I am now. I may have lost almost all of my friends, but it was worth it to cleanse the sarcasm and negativity from my life. I am a changed person now!
When you realize that your roommate is an insecure and perhaps angry person, wanting attention via their sarcasm, it makes their sarcasm more tolerable… you can take comfort in knowing how much more secure and happy a person you are…!! I tend to ignore sarcastic remarks completely by changing the subject immediately or turning away… remarkable how it works wonderfully.
Your article about sarcasm was very very good, you explained everything so well, thank you!
So in what universe is retaliating a not-so-nice habit (debatable) by using the same method? If someone sarcastically snipes at you, snipe back with an even better sarcastic comment? That's just ridiculous…
This article is only telling you how to add to the problem. By retaliating or playing any games in return you are no better than the sarcasm you are trying to over come. Speaking as a current Psych student most of the options listed are meant to be avoided. You can only overcome a problem by rising above it, not by stooping to its level and adding to it.
Exactly!
Sarcastic people think that sarcasm is the only way to teach a lesson.
I think that they are insecure people and use sarcasm as a weapon, it's hard living with them but there is no way out, I need more info on how to deal with them.
I think the article was very good as confirmed my suspicions about what I've been dealing with and I believe I've been using some suggestions mentioned in dealing with thus particular person. However, I just do not see an end to it. I wish the article used examples of "tried and true" ways to get then to stop. I feel it would have been a better article if it described it as a personality type and maybe how other personality types either compete or complement one another (if that is even possible). I'm afraid it is impossible to change him or get him to stop so avoidance is probably the only remedy to end my suffering.
Tx
Sarcasm can be super funny… especially if it is directed at a situation rather than to demean people for a cheap laugh. It is all about the intention. Many times the person who uses sarcasm to get a laugh doesn't see that they are demeaning people. If you use sarcasm frequently and start to notice your friends dropping off like flies or that it is challenging for you to make deep friendships or maintain a romantic relationship, perhaps it's time for you to find some self-confidence and a new way to get a laugh.
The difficulty is deciphering the intent. I just 'broke up' with a very close friend because I got sick and tired of her sarcastic remarks about me and other people. I am sure she didn't MEAN to be a jerk, but the fact is, she was being one. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Good information.
Thank You (no sarcasm) for the help, I have a really sarcastic dad, and he made a pun out of my math homework, which was offensive.
good article
I like your idea of not acknowledging sarcasms and acting inane in such situations.
Scold: You can also shoot down sarcastic comments by scolding the person using them and if you do this correctly then you can make them feel small as a result while at the same time pointing out how childish they are. The previous examples are perfect for if you if you are happy to stoop to their level, but if you'd rather keep some decorum and integrity then this is the better strategy.
For instance then:
'How did you get here?'
'I flew'
'Don't be stupid Joe'
Or alternatively:
'If you're going to be stupid/sarcastic then I shall not talk to you in future'
All I could think was, "promise?"
Sarcasm in bonding and towards yourself, with the intent of being humorous but also for the sake of shedding light of potential shortcomings in a more cushioned fashion has merit.
Sarcasm aimed to injure and stir violent emotion mirror other shortcomings however.
These tips wouldn't work in a million years.
Courtney, comment #17… you nailed it. Perfectly said.
This person does not understand the nature of sarcasm. Also, punning is considered the lowest form of humor. Being sarcastic and being ironic (which is what some of the behavior mentioned is closer to) is not about putting people down or picking on them. It is a way of dealing with the world and its stupidity. Picking on people, mocking them, etc., that is being a bully, not being sarcastic.
People need to read this!!
To the author – On behalf of all the sarcastic people out there, I'm sorry you had such a lousy experience with a sarcastic person. You clearly need to make peace with him/her.
Your views seem emotionally biased — natural for most of us, however these should be taken into account when writing something of significance, on such a — based on an upsetting interaction you must have had with a sarcastic person (or even people). The world is a hard place to live in and people do what they can to feel like living. Even if it means letting out their feelings on an unsuspecting person in the form of sarcasm. You know it's a hard place because most of the time, people like you need an outlet — any outlet — on which you can channel all your frustrations, and you find some depressed sarcastic person. And you think you're helping that person by scolding them? That's only going to fuel their feelings to create more sarcastic (the not so pleasant kind) comments. These people might just not be interested at all in conversing at that moment, so out of frustration they might try anything to push you away (believe me I know, I'm quite talented at pushing people away even though I say so myself). Someone once said, "I'm sarcastic, 'cause it's a much nicer way of telling someone to 'f* off'!".
I'm not saying it's okay to use sarcasm in order to put someone else down. This kind of sarcastic people are not necessarily short on self confidence, but are sure as hell depressed in life. They need to make fun of someone or something to feel better; just think how badly they need to feel better! I believe sarcasm should be used to make light of an increasingly serious situation or in any other way; to help people feel better, not worse! Having said that people ('victims') of sarcastic jousts, are more often than not probably a bit low on confidence themselves! Think about it, why else would you let an attempt to belittle you, bother you so much?! I am sorry to say this, but if someone was targeting you with sarcasm, they're probably targeting you for a reason…
For the aforementioned sarcastic type, sarcasm is not a problem in and of itself. Any of the 'solutions' in the above article (gosh it seems I'm writing my very own article right here!), are not practical. Unless you aren't particularly keen on maintaining (or developing) a healthy or deep relationship with them. For almost every issue I believe you must address the root of the problem.
The above article in its entirety depicts only the audience of sarcasm as victims. It doesn't even consider that the sarcastic person needs or wants some help, even if they don't sound like they want any. The need for sarcasm could stem from a multitude of different possible reasons. The best way to 'cure' an individual from their 'sadistic sarcasm' is to talk to them about themselves. Listen and be patient. Let them be a little narcissistic. Eventually a deep issue will arise. Try to solve it or at least hear them out. This will make them much less prone to sadistic sarcasm now that they are less irritable. Do not do this on immediately detecting any sarcasm! No one wants to talk openly about their problems most of the time. Just take the hurtful sarcasm in for awhile and withstand it. This sadistic kind of attitude is a big problem. And like most big problems it will take time to overcome. There are no quick fixes to life's problems!
Thanks to everyone for reading this. I needed to get this out of my system since a few of my friends have been ignorantly asking me why I am sarcastic, assuming it's always bad.
The original article is good with a few aspects of sarcasm. Just to reiterate that I am not biased in any way while writing my argument in this review; I'm not clutching onto any straws I have left, I'm holding up those which you've left out! I feel this article needed a wider variety of perceptions on the topic, like almost everything in today's huge global society.
As a member of the community of Joes, I am highly offended by the use of Joe as a scapegoat for the examples and shall be filing a complaint with your editor.
While there are undoubtedly those who use sarcasm as a weapon I would venture to guess that just as many, if not more, use it as a form of entertainment for those around them. You want to laugh, hang out with a sarcastic person, if you want to go insane then date or marry a sarcastic person. Most sarcastic people that I know are able to laugh at themselves and are more than willing to take a joke for the team. If you are so offended by someone who is sarcastic, here's an idea, stop hanging around them. What's the value in trying to change someone you obviously have no desire to be around? I always use sarcasm as a means of finding out who will be able to take my sense of humor, if they don't like it then no hard feelings but I certainly don't think it's necessary to change who I am because someone finds it offensive or hurtful – just maybe there is something wrong with that person, maybe they are too sensitive.
This article was actually very useful and helpful, thank you.
Absolutely helpful!
I have an obese male friend that I've known for three (3) years. He's 59. I'm 57. We've both been married to other people, and we both have children over the age of 20. I'm a nice person and totally dislike any form of injustice or racism. My friend, on the other hand is constantly sarcastic, nasty and racist. He calls African American people every unkind name you can imagine. In fact, his 67 yr old brother and 68 yr old sister are about the same. However, my friend is the worst. He is morbidly obese, rarely takes a shower (poor hygiene overall), drinks beers all day with his brother when his sister is at work. She's against drinking as my friend is "supposedly" an alcoholic. He refuses to cut his hair or shave. I, on the other hand am clean, dress well, and enjoy the company of ALL people. When I call him out on his sarcasm, he will twist things around and make me seem like the person that is wrong. I've told him numerous times that I dislike his behavior, etc. He will then get mad and ignore me. He turns silent. My situation is bad because I must live with these people (that’s another long story). Not only is he nasty, sarcastic and racist, he's also obese, lazy and naps most of the day. The other part of the day, he's on his computer looking at Facebook or playing Monster Busters. I don't have a car right now, so I must rely on him. He’s chauvinistic as well. PS. His brother watches Maury all day while drinking beer and taking nips from bottles of vodka he has hidden around the house. When their 68 yr old sister gets home from work, one of these two (2) will yell out,"5-0!!" Meaning she's home hide the booze. Plus, my 'friend" is arrogant. I personally don't think someone that looks like a 500 lb Monty Woolley should be acting like his shit doesn't stink.
Sorry this was so long. But I need advice on how to deal with this moody, obnoxious, racist, nasty, sarcastic sack of pudding. Sorry to be so blunt. But I'm getting angry while typing this because he treats me like crap!!! I'm slightly overweight, smart and attractive. But I'm stuck here with these people. Do you have ANY advice that can sustain me until I can one day leave here?
Thank you!!
Ally
Respond to sarcastic people by being passive aggressive or proving you're better at sarcasm? Doesn't that make you a more sarcastic and insecure person than they are?
Limiting sarcasm to only two motivations limits the discussion on other reasons for using sarcasm. Sometimes it is used as a form of irony to make a valid argument.
I mostly disagree with this article. Not just because I, myself, am a sarcastic person, but because it seems like some statements/points are putting down/belittling sarcastic people for being mean, cold hearted, insecure, etc when they're actually not. Although it can be offensive and upsetting at times, some of the solutions to it make you seem rude, snobbish and/or arrogant. Like simply walking away from them without another word when they answer your sarcastically or scolding them in the same way the example was shown. Being inane just makes look like a complete fool in front of the said person and if that person is sarcastic, s/he is bound to be a smart mouth as well (like me) and will most likely comment how immature your reaction was. The other solutions are fine though.
A personal note: I am not insecure, I know that for a fact. I don't use my sarcasm to insult others, not intentionally anyways… But the main reason I placed this personal note is to say that most of the people I met are perfectly okay with my sarcasm and some of them don't even give a crap. In fact, some approve of it. And really, sarcasm is just a tool for dry humor. I have dry humor so I use it. People find it funny and so do I, so I continue to use it.
I use sarcasm in a funny way (making fun of myself). I can't stand people that use sarcasm to belittle other's to make themselves feel better!! I hate sarcasm that is very dry & not funny in any way!!!
GOOD READ. GIVES ME MORE INSIGHT TOWARDS A PARTICULAR PERSON…
This was interesting…
There is also the application of a quick witted comeback.
The article starts off by saying sarcastic people have lower intelligence than non-sarcastic people, and then gives some examples of how to deal with sarcastic people. I was pretty excited to get to that part, cause I have to deal with myself a lot. So I figured I would give one of the suggestions a try. Shows how much they know… every time I made a sarcastic comment, I tried to walk away from myself. It didn't work. And they call ME the unintelligent one!
There should be more visual images to make this article more interesting.
Quite the inaccurate argument, where I'm from sarcasm is humour, dry humour at that. If you get so offended at a small sarcastic comment meant to be funny then it is indeed you who is the insecure one. It's quite funny seeing people who take things too personally in the comments going, "oh sarcastic people are so sad" ironic if I do say so.
It's like your treating my sarcasm as an illness.
I was not disappointed.
Very helpful! Thank you!
It’s funny how all the sarcastic folks, well, not all are getting so upset at this article. Hahahaha. They must be reading this because someone got pissed off because of something they said. Sarcasm can be funny, but not at other peoples expenses. I work in customer service and get a lot of sarcastic people and usually they are trying to get a rise out of you or their day is not going their way so they take it out on you. In their minds i guess service people are not there to help you. It’s more like we are serving them, and they think they are some sort of king or queen. Actually for the rude sarcastic ones, you can tell they are pretty pathetic and sad creatures. I mean, they are taking cheap shots at a customer service worker whos being polite to them and helping them? Like i guess they can’t do that to the people they want to. Maybe they are chicken s*hit to do it so… In their minds. Easy target. I get mad but then later i kind of feel sorry for them when i see what kind of person they are and their actions. I have wanted to hit and punch out so many rude sarcastic people. Lol. Their ugly asses. Lol. Some of them are really jealous too. Usually that’s what it is.
What a crappy article. What makes you think that all sarcasm is at the expense of people’s feelings? I work hard to be sarcastic and it has nothing to do with insults. It is a different way of looking at the world. Looking for the negative and making humor about it. Whoever wrote this article is sorely mistaken and uninformed.
Agree. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Excellent article.
I am a sarcastic person, and it seems to attract people to me. Only one time has someone taken my sarcasm seriously, and I apologized, and made them laugh. How? By making a sarcastic comment about myself.
I think it is wrong if anyone has used sarcasm as a form of bullying, but to say all sarcastic people are vile and evil is stereotyping. Personally I appreciate it if someone else is sarcastic as well. That creates a form of playful banter, but that is just my opinion.
Really interesting post!