Here's an interesting article on how we humans* use sarcasm as a survival skill. While I appreciate sarcasm as light-hearted fun with friends and family, I hate it when people use sarcasm to hurt others, sarcasm that puts others down or makes fun of them.
Do you use sarcasm in your relationships? How long could you survive without using sarcasm?
*Edit: If humans use sarcasm for survival what do other animals use it for?
10 comments:
Sarcasm? Me? Never!
Well, okay, maybe just a little. . . occasionally. . . perhaps a bit more than necessary even. What can I say? I grew up in a household where Dad used sarcasm as a primary weapon against everyone else. Then if you were hurt by it he could say that he was "just kidding." I had a boss like that too, for almost 15 years. The first month I thought I couldn't stand it because he was too much like Dad. Turns out I was one of the few who could really deal with it, having had a lifetime of experience.
So I try not to turn into a sarcastic bitch, but it does seem to come naturally given how much exposure I've had. Sometimes I almost literally bite my tongue to keep from using sarcasm. Sometimes I fail and the sarcasm comes spewing out.
Sigh, still a work in progress. . .
I very much appreciate witty sarcasm done with humor and no intention of hurting anyone (even using care to not hurt anyone unintentionally).
I definitely do not like those who use sarcasm as a means of hurting, even if just hurting themselves.
Who me?
Okay - I confess. As a matter of fact, I do use it but not as I use to. I don't think I ever got into the habit of using it to intentionally hurt others but it became my own tool for keeping me "safe".
Most of the time I can recall using it in my own mockery. I think as I've grown older, some of that faded away.
(it still sneaks out at times...especially when I witness people doing really stupid things..)
For whatever reason, my brain just runs to sarcasm (which, by the way, I prefer to call 'irony'). . .
Like SM, I try to use it 'affectionately' and not cuttingly, but sometimes my Inner Smartass gets loose. . .
When I am sarcastic its almost always because I'm upset, which is the worst time to use it without feelings getting hurt. So its usually best if I avoid it whenever possible.
RS can be sarcastic sometimes, but I can't think of a time when it was directed at me.
Yeah, right, as if ...
Get real man, like I'd ever be like that.
Who do you think you're talking to anyhow?
When it comes to sarcasm, it's all about the funny.
I found myself to use a lot of sarcasm. But not to hurt anyone. Its quite and ice breaker for me. Helps me when I'm nervous.
I hope my sarcasm has never been perceived as harmful. I believe I developed my sense of sarcasm as a defense mechanism growing up, then honed it as a teenager. I used it to shield myself or turn attention away from negative attention I was getting.
I've had a friend tell me that I use it as a buffer to hide my true emotions, and I'm pretty sure she's right based on the situations.
I know it's tough to 'read' online, but I think the people I communicate with on a rather regular basis either know I'm using sarcasm as a humorous base, or they share a level similar to mine, and we completely click.
From time to time I might have been accused of being a bit sarcastic...but only if I know you well.
I limit my sarcasm to people I know fairly well. There's 6-8 guys I can make fun of and be sarcastic with, and I know it won't affect them. Women tend to be a bit more sensitive (sorry), so there are only 2-3 women I know of that I can be really sarcastic around. And it's taken many years to get to that point, where they'll realize I'm being sarcastic.
I wonder if I'd be sarcastic around all of you face to face. Hmm. Give me an hour after meeting you, I suppose.
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