More Thoughts on "Being Funny" – Part 3

#8: Using Sarcasm is funny and dangerous.

I have learned there is a fine line between Sarcasm & Cynicism. And truly great communicators know the difference. Biting sarcasm can hurt people and although it may be funny in the moment, it will often do more damage than good.

Being funny at someone else’s expense is another form of cheap humor. If a sarcastic punch line is aimed at a truth about someone else that is out of their control, then it loses it’s humor.

And the reality is, most listeners will come to the rescue of someone who is being attacked in a condescending, sarcastic way. Which immediately causes the humor to be nullified.

When I use sarcasm, I try most always to aim it at myself, but again, not in a condescending way. (That just makes people think you have low self-esteem, which is anything but funny…)

matt