When I write something sarcastic on a forum I usually use <sarcasm></sarcasm> to point it out. I have bad experiences with people not understanding my written sarcasm.
But I don't have much problem getting sarcasm out of other peoples posts. Well, sometimes I assume wrong but most of the time I get it. I learned to recognize sarcasm using logic and context so as long as I know the situation I can accurately guess if someone is being sarcastic or not. I use this method in real life too. The main rule is - if something makes no sense or sounds rude in a friendly situation then sarcasm is probably being used.
Personally I find sarcasm a funny tool to use in conversation.
It can be used to weaken a honest opinion so it won't hurt anyone but make people thinking.
You might say anything but as long as you wrap it in sarcastic tone noone can really be mad at you. You can even be 100% honest and say something hurtful if you want and sarcastic tone is going to make other people wonder whatever you are being serious or not. It's like being a "jester".
Example: Your friend is delaying with helping you. You say: "You are just being lazy, aren't you?" using sarcastic tone. If you were serious the friend would get angry with you since you are the one who needs help in the 1st place. But since you are being sarcastic he wonders wherever you are seriously thinking he is lazy, saying he should hurry up or simply using a joke to fill the waiting time.
One might answer with the same kind of joke. Your friend might answer - sarcastically - "Yes, I am." and you can't know whenever he is saying he is lazy, doesn't want to help you but doesn't want to hurt you by saying this openly or he simply plays along with your joke.
Sarcasm is also a weapon against bullies. For example when someone does something rude to you and you answer sarcastic "Very funny" it means it wasn't funny at all and implement that they have sick sense of humor. But opposite to seriously saying "It wasn't funny at all" you implement that you see it as potentially funny joke (a joke, not tease) and advice them they should be more creative if they really want to make jokes of you because so far they fail. It implies you can laugh of yourself if their joke is good and laugh at them if they make the joke bad again. Bullies usually bully people who make a fuss about being bullied. If someone laughs it off they give up and look for another victim.
Sarcasm is also simply a socializing toy. People use it to light the mood on any occasion and it doesn't have any meaning at all then. "You fat ass come here!" said sarcastically to a very good friend that is actually slim means you are being playful. He is free to answer you "Yes mommy!" or other abstract words. It's a play, like throwing a ball to each other.
10 Nov 2014, 5:22 pm
