Sarcasm- The Double Edged Sword

Sarcasm- The Double Edged Sword

I have a very sarcastic sense of humor and it can sometimes get me into trouble.  I assume that everyone knows of my sarcastic way of thinking (ah... assuming, I think I've found the root of the problem!) and that they understand that I'm really only "joking".

Laughter is my go-to or knee-jerk reaction to most things that are out of my control.  Grief, stress, anger... I can feel giggles bubbling up from inside as a sort of coping mechanism, so yes, I can be found, perhaps not out and out laughing, but a tense giggle at the most inopportune times.

I can only assume that I would laugh at a gunman who tried to rob me at gunpoint.  It would be funny to me, not that I could lose my life, but that I have nothing for him to steal.  My knee-jerk reaction would be laughter.  That poor criminal, just trying to do his "job", not looking to be heckled.  (sarcasm) I know.  It doesn't make sense.  But I'm the one who laughs at funerals because I want to remember the good times.  I'm the one who tries to make others laugh in a time of crisis to divert the attention from what is causing them pain.  I am the one who laughs through my tears because I am at such a loss, and I am convinced that there is a silver lining somewhere.  Life is pretty funny, you know.  Irony can be downright hilarious at times... okay, for me anyway.  And if you can't laugh at yourself, life can get pretty intense.  So I laugh at myself... and everyone else too.  


My sarcasm definitely stems from all that, I think. It is easier for me to come back with a sarcastic quip than have to deal with the "real" issue.  They say that there is a modicum of truth in every sarcastic comment... I'm inclined to believe that is true.  But again, truth when softened by a little bit of laughter, is so much easier to get through.  Am I wrong?

For example, I have a co-worker who brings in tasty baked goods on a regular basis.  And every day, I yell at her (when I say yell, I don't mean raise my voice, I mean sarcastically scold) that she is trying to make me fat.  Am I really angry at her? No.  Do I think she is personally attacking my waistline? No.  But the pastries ARE there, tempting me and I COULD blame her for putting that temptation in front of me... testing me.... So my sarcastic side "blames" her for tempting me and downplays the exact opposite that she is being thoughtful and caring to the people she works with.  (Sarcasm often times takes the extreme opposite of a situation in order to make an exaggerated comical point) I'm not even mad.  Not at all.  But I scold her.  And until she realizes that I have a sarcastic sense of humor, she may think that I am really and truly angry with her.  Which is not the case. And that would hurt me immensely because I would never choose to hurt anyone's feelings.  But the words come out because it is just who I am and a lot of times I end up apologizing to those who don't know how to read me. 

I am usually around people who can handle it and even play along.  Both of my children have a razor sharp sense of humor and I love the banter with them.  Whoo!  They keep me on my toes... so since I enjoy such clever conversations with them, I assume- there's that word again- that others can keep up as well.

Some people don't appreciate a good sarcastic wit and even I am annoyed when some take it too far, but as for me, I need to learn to reign it in until the people around me get used to me.

All this to say... You know, I'm not really sure.  I guess it's a PRE-apology for when I say something sarcastic and you're not really sure what to do with it.  Just know in advance it is sarcasm at its finest and that no harm is meant.

Have a great day... no really... have a great day, no sarcasm... (yes, I see the problem....)

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