Ridicule is THE MOST BRAINLESS THING EVER

Post Reply New Topic

I've just been figuring this out lately and hope it helps someone.

I'm very sensitive to ridicule. I realized my sensitivity to it has gotten so bad in the last few years, that I now feel like I'm continually trying to avoid being ridiculed. Like trying really hard to not to make any little mistakes or flub anything, to hide anything weird or unusual about myself, and to avoid showing any real vulnerability or weakness around people who might laugh at it.

It's like I thought if only I could do everything the right way, no one would ever have the opportunity to ridicule me again. But in reality? People can ridicule ANYTHING. All it takes for instance is, repeating what someone said in a funny voice. Or imitating a gesture in an exaggerated way. Or simply reacting in mock astonishment to something. It doesn't take any special thought or wit or cleverness to do this. All it takes it the intent to belittle someone.

And the fact that this happens, doesn't mean that the person who is being ridiculed actually did anything worthy of being ridiculed. That's what is being implied by the person doing the ridiculing, but it's not true. They (or you, or I) may have done something that is perfectly respectable. In fact what people find ridiculous in one situation or culture, may be highly valued in another.

What I wanted to say to everyone, if anyone ridicules you, please don't assume that it means you're doing anything wrong. It probably just means that the person who is treating you that way has a real problem with themselves, and it's not about you at all. So don't be like me and start thinking that you can change your behavior to somehow gain this person's respect or avoid being treated that way.

Sometimes, not always, ridicule is not actually meant in a harming way, but a jovial way. Sometimes its both, like if someone points something out to you you are then supposed to then 'snap out of it' and be like 'oh yeah, I guess that came out wrong' and then you can laugh at yourself in earnest. Doesn't work when you don't see it the exact same way though.

Great post, Dianthus.

Thanks Kraftie.

Ridicule is malicious. It also says more about the person doing it than the person being subjected to it.

You do realize that ridicule is the most brainless thing ever?

You should know that feeding one who is ridiculing you invites more ridicule.

I've learned that sheer IGNORING is the best solution to those who seek to ridicule.