I didn't learn how to have a normal conversation until I was about 25. I'm pretty good at it now, but sarcasm will always be my first language.
I sometimes forget how sarcastic I am until I give someone a compliment and they say something like, "Screw you, jerk!" Apparently I don't do sincerity very well.
Still, I keep trying, in an effort to make something of my emotionally stunted personality. The other day I said to my wife, in an effort to express my admiration for her, "I don't think there's anyone quite like you." She said,"Hmm. I'm not sure if that's good or bad." And I responded with firm conviction, "Oh, it's good."
I think I'm going to stick with sarcasm.
By the way, I made the "motivational poster" at http://diy.despair.com/motivator.php.
| posted by Diesel at Friday, December 08, 2006 |
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I love sarcasm. It gives me joy.
"That's so cool" she said sincerely.
Your link to the poster that is. Sarcasm is the language that allows me to claim my bilingual status honestly.
sarcasm? so that's what you kids are calling it these days? good to know.
okay. i think this is pretty freakin' funny. of course, i'm fairly certain you know you've surrounded yourself by those who appreciate you *because* of your so-called sarcasm -- that said, the free food you hand out at the blog door doesn't hurt. xox
I'm amused by sarcasm but no good at it. "Sometimes the journey of a thousand miles ends badly"... that is hysterical. Good job.
I frequently refer to sarcasm as my mother tongue, as in, my mother is the one who schooled me.
I, of course, a passing the tradition on to the next generation.
Three years ago my husband decided to get a permit and cut a wild tree for Christmas, it was pitiful.
After it was decoration the kids asked me what I thought. My then 4 year old son reported to his dad, "She said the tree looked great but it was in that voice that means really the opposite."
I have an extraordinary inability to express myself unless I am being sarcastic.
I suck at sincerity too.
I have to be really careful with sarcasm. Most of the 11 year olds take you literally. Most of the 14 year olds get sarcasm. In between is kind of a grey area.
I think that's why my favorite expression is "you suck!"
I usually say that to people I like.
Sarcasm is my life.
That and Pez.
Good post. I hear you, Diesel. I never really noticed you were sarcastic. Really.
I'm reminded of the Simpsons episode where Homer joins the Lollapalooza tour as a human cannonball. Two kids in the audience are talking about Homer's act:
Kid 1: That guy is so cool.
Kid 2: Are you being sarcastic?
Kid 1: I can't tell any more...
You managed to get married, so apparently, someone saw through your facade!
My first ministry was in the southern U.S.A., where they didn't get sarcasm... at all... And me, fresh out of college... Had to completely alter my mode of expression from the pulpit. Usually had to follow up sarcasm with, "Now, I'm being a little sarcastic here, but..."
Goldennib - Me too.
G - That poster took about 30 seconds to make. Try it, it's fun!
Neva - Thanks. The sad thing is that I'm barely exaggerating. On several occasions I've tried to say something nice to someone, like "I like your hair," only to have them give me this odd look, as if to say, "What are you trying to say?"
Kat - It's easy. Jut say exactly the opposite of what you mean, with double the amount of apparent sincerity. Say something like "I like how you were able to make it look like you really spent some time on that post by inserting a giant graphic that took 30 seconds to make using somebody else's template."
Logophile - That's great. Between me and my wife, I think my kids are getting a pretty good schooling in sarcasm too.
Fiar - I hear you. There's definitely something wrong with us. We suck.
Robin - That's why I'm training my kids early.
Tjotjog - Is that why they call you Mr. Fabulous?
Cindra - Wow, really? That's really surprising, because...hey, wait a minute....
Jess - I LOVE that Simpsons exchange. That pretty much sums me up.
Allen - Our courtship consisted primarily of reciting lines from SNL sketches. I once had to give a children's sermon on the Fifth Commandment. I got up in front of the church and said, "The pastor asked me which commandment I wanted to talk about, and I said I'd take the fifth, because I thought it meant I didn't have to say anything." The kids didn't get it, but it got a laugh from the congregation. :)
I, too, wish I were good with sarcasm, but there's an art to it that I just don't have.
Apparently, I'm becoming much more of a jackass in my old age, though, so that shoe is fitting me pretty well today. Now, if I could only figure out how to capitalize on my newly found strength.
p.s. Demotivators make me happy.