KimD wrote:
Sometimes sarcasm can highlight a "bond" when it's shared with people who are dealing with the same painful situation, frustration, or anger and it can lighten the mood up--or at least let people know that they're not alone. People might use it as a conversation starter, as in "Nice weather we're having," when it's raining, or "Man, the [team name here] really earned their money last night!" Sarcasm can also be a good way to ease up an embarrassing moment, especially if it's aimed at oneself. If you've just tripped and you say something like, "Wow, those dance lessons really paid off!" you're letting people know that you're okay and make it alright for them to laugh a little if they're inclined to do so. (Even if you're still embarrassed and you don't really want people to laugh, it can still make you seem "cool" because don't appear frail or lacking in self-confidence.)
However, some sarcasm is just plain mean, or at least rude, especially if it's aimed at someone that they know will be hurt by it. Too much sarcasm can get tedious or obnoxious, and being sarcastic about something that's super-obvious probably won't qualify as funny in the first place--but, as I said, it can be a conversation-starter, a way to change a topic, or at least a way to break the silence.
Of course, humor is really subjective and things like time, place, sub-text and culture can have a big impact on what's considered funny. A good comedian usually knows what their audience will like--they "read the room" well.
I agree with what you're saying and sarcasm is also used as a sense of humor to make people laugh and be funny. But sometimes it's used to make fun of people and some people are very sarcastic and do it all the time and that is what I have a problem with. If someone is sarcastic all the time, I never know when they are serious. My first boyfriend was always joking with me which my mom called sarcasm and it would always upset me because he did it all the time. I told him how it made him felt and nothing change but at least my husband would apologize. For my first boyfriend he saw it as changing who he is if he quit doing it with me. Then he would get upset with me for taking him seriously or for not knowing he was teasing. My mom says he was just a jerk and anyone can be an as*hole.
I agree; using sarcasm to inflict harm is wrong, and anyone who says they "can't stop" doing it even when they know it's really annoying or hurts someone is, indeed, an insensitive, immature a-hole! I hope you didn't keep that first boyfriend for long.
09 Nov 2016, 8:04 pm
