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Really, I'm curious...because it is not in me to do...not since I fell into a crowd
that seemed to do it when I was 19.
I can't remember the feeling...I think I thought I was clever and cute...funny.
But it was always at someone else's expense....I caught on pretty fast.
I think a lot of people here are 30~60 from comments I've read, not teenagers.
What compels you to mock someone and make fun of them?
I personally am not bothered, how could I be?
I look at the source...an insensitive, unkind individual...unaware of their own
actions, thinking only of themselves, their opinions and status in the eyes of
others like themselves, insecure so feels better then somone when able
to embarrass them publicly...did I get that about right?
Teasing with family and friends can be ok, of course....online it can hurt people.
(Not me)....but others have real problems and get devasted by the mocking and
put downs...I and Dr. John Bradshaw, call it what it is out and out shaming.
Comments....meanness that wants to now be expressed towards me?
It is a curious phenomenon to walk thru life being asleep, while hurting others.
We have a 45 year old neighbor who constantly makes fun of others. He is annoying and obnoxious. IMO he acts like a child. He is lazy and thinks he knows better than any one else. He is probably insecure. No one cares to bother with him, but I personally like to put it right back in his face. When he says something rude about someone else I have said to him, "who elected you judge?" or when he mocks someone for not doing something I will say, "c'mon you are so lazy you don't take care of the outside of your house." He usually avoids me.
Don Rickles made his living mocking and insulting people. A lot of people thought he was funny except the ones being mocked, of course. To me, he came across as nasty and belittling.
I have to say I have been guilty of laughing when someone is clever and sarcastic and aims their comments at someone else, or even myself. It's only when it is meant in a mean spirited way that I find it offensive.
Sarcasm is not funny, unless you think demeaning other people is funny. It destroys trust and makes people feel bad about themselves. Shucks, why not go out and kick some puppies while you're at it?
What's more, it's the sign of a deeply insecure and small person, one who tears others down in order to make himself feel better. So if you are describing yourself as kind of sarcastic, then you're essentially describing yourself as an a-hole.
And yes, humiliation of others may make them feel empowered for the moment, but in reality, they are just insecure about themselves.
Others are like mirrors to us.
The things people usually make fun off are the things they see in others that they don't like in themselves.
some people are just cruel, I've stopped using sarcasm a long time ago because of the possibly one might feel like I'm mocking them in whatever situation
People seem to confuse "sarcasm" with "being mean" or "caustic humor."
I use sarcastic humor all the time, but it's never in a way that attacks or mocks anyone. I also love quick, wry, smart sarcasm when I see others do it well.
Yes, people can also use sarcastic comments to put someone down, but that's only one way of using sarcasm, and it's not the most creative way, or a way I respect. When people hurt others with sarcasm, I don't admire it. But when people use sarcasm the way I do, I really respect them, knowing that their mind operates in a way I can relate to.
Technically, sarcasm is making a point by saying or writing something that's seemingly the opposite of what you mean. But loosely, "sarcasm" has come to describe all sorts of satirical communication. But the key idea here is satire, not cruelty.
So going by the most technical definition of sarcasm, some cruel examples would be:
"Wow, what an awesome outfit! I just love those Walmart fashions."
"Right Sherlock, your powers of deduction never cease to amaze me."
"I just LOVE when you come bother me with your useless problems."
But non-cruel examples, like I use every day might be:
"Hey everyone we have another State audit coming up next week. You know my motto: better living through government intrusion!"
"I just had the exquisite pleasure of meeting with Mrs XYZ this morning and hearing about more of her complaints about our staff."
"Yes, the IT Director can come up to work on my computer this afternoon, but not in the morning-- I'll be way too busy surfing for porn." (note: the sarcasm is evident when you know that I'm the compliance officer)
But just making a wise crack to put someone down is not necessarily "sarcasm" unless you're using some kind of "opposite" statement. I think too many people just think "sarcasm" means caustic humor. It gives sarcasm, which is really an art form, a bad name.
General rule of thumb: If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
And the Internet is a great, big kitchen.
P.S. Come over to Relationships, where you will see that most of the people who get zinged deserve it.
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