Sarcasm Stinks!

Sarcasm Stinks!

I have had 2 people in the last week be sarcastic to me in situations where either I was too overwhelmed to help the person (and their response was sarcasm) or I asked someone for help, and their response was sarcastic and accusatory too.

I hate it when folks get sarcastic. I don't know how to deal with it very well. I don't reply sarcastically, I don't think that would help. I just don't know what to do! I feel so defeated when people get this way with me.

Well, I cannot say for certain in these particular scenarios, since I do not possess enough information to make a judgement, but sarcasm is often intended for humorous purposes (not always). This said, while it may seem accusatory in nature, it is often simply a light-hearted method of picking on someone else -- nothing personal. Of course, this is not always the case, but I find it to be just that more often than not.

Still, some people are downright rude at times, but chances are, in these situations, they are merely projecting their own insecurities elsewhere. It all really depends on the circumstances and the individual.

Sorry to hear that. It is a hard one. Does it happen in a workplace or in your other life, if you want to say.

Sarcasm sucks the big one it's interesting because the word sarcasm comes from the Greek word sarcaso..... which mean to tear flesh. Go figure.

Well, in one case it was from someone who does not work where I work, but who is an attendee where I work. We were riding the bus home and she wanted me to help her by going into a store for her and buying her something. I am currently on antibiotics and exhausted and I told her this and that I was not up to doing this for her today. When I came back onto the bus that we were riding on, from the store, she got all sarcastic about how LITTLE I had bought and surely I could have helped her too.

In the other case, it is from the building maintenance guy where I live. I told him we need a new washer and a new dryer and he "thanked" me for my "opinion" and then accused me of writing a nasty note about needing a washer and dryer to which I assured him I had not written it. Now, my sink is leaking and he will probably take is SWEET time about getting it fixed, because I am betting he still thinks I wrote that supposedly "nasty" note.

Well, the attendee is just rude. Don't give her another thought. She just behaved badly.

The building maintenance guy is acting like building maintenance guys always do.

Sorry any builders or plumbers who are out there but WHAT IS WITH YOU?

I was going to say, if it's in the workplace, professionalism is best. In fact, it can be helpful in all situations.

Professionalism means never raising your voice. Never replying with sarcasm. (Both of which you managed). Calmly repeating what you said the first time, but in slightly different words.

"Yes. I know you needed some things. But, it's like I said, I am not feeling up to it."

You can make your voice a little sterner when you are repeating it. This will discourage them from continuing the conversation. And it will stick in their head that this is how you will deal with them if they behave badly again.

As of you're talking to a child, really.

To the maintenance guy:

"I realise it's a big deal to get a new machine. But that's what needs to happen. As I said, I haven't written any notes of any kind. I came straight to you with this. Can you suggest what we do next?"

Again, 'As I said before' is the key phrase.

These are situations you need to shut down, as oppose to open up.

It feels crap to have someone's sarcastic final words laying on you. So, have the final (calm but firm) word.

Yes, I do work with the public.

Hope these suggestions help.

I didn’t know that about the Greek word sarcaso

Yeah sarcasm can be very toxic

Gggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Hugs

I believe that sarcasm is toxic and that there is no room or need for it, ever. Sarcasm is frequently disguised as humor, but it is never funny.

I agree, it’s usually (or always) nasty. I don’t think that so called “blunt honesty” is any better though

Honesty without compassion is cruelty

(Not about anyone here)

Both people sound RUDE to say the least, hang in there, you are taking a high road with these jerks

I agree with the above poster. Both people were out of line. Just let it roll off your back and take the high road. Ignore that nonsense.

Well, the maintenance guy fixed my sink, so thankfully he must have gotten it that I did not write that nasty note. He was polite today when I went to do my laundry and I had a chance to thank him for fixing my sink yesterday. He even put some quarters into the dryer for me, because he was testing it. So I didn't even have to pay to dry my cloths today! I guess he felt bad about accusing me falsely, or he just was doing his job (I don't know which). Also, I told him yesterday, without mentioning my sink at all, that his helper was looking for him, so maybe he was relieved that I did not nag him at all, but let him get to it in his own time.

As to the pushy woman, she started in on me again yesterday the moment I got on the bus. I just calmly told her that I was on 42 days of antibiotics and that I was "bushed" and the bus driver came to my aide immediately, pointing out that 42 days of such things must be really tough on digestion, to which I heartily agreed and the passenger did not say a word after that to ask me for help. Thank goodness for that bus driver, She has come to my rescue a number of times!

Big hug, Sheila.

People like that are whiners. In some ways they are asking for support from you. Their whining has nothing to do with you personally.