What are playful insults?

Question

I've noticed some of my friends like to use really offensives insults in their conversation. It makes it difficult to tell when they're being seriously offensive and jokingly offensive. I don't always get the context of their insults.

Also, I'm terrible at "comebacks" because I don't think to start insults in the first place. I'm not constantly looking for negative things to say about people. I tend to try to only see the positive in people so I suck at thinking of things to say back.

Answer 1

Read "Cool book of Insults". I don't remember the author though.
E.g. "If you were any more stupid, you'd have to be watered twice a week!"
"Why don't you go home and brush up on your ignorance?"
"I don't know what it is that makes you stupid. But whatever it is, it works."
"When you leave school, you should become a bone specialist. You've certainly got the head for it."
"Are you really bald or is your neck just blowing a bubble?"

Answer 2

I'm not a big fan of "playful insults".

If you aren't good at comebacks just let it go. Why try to do what they do if it isn't really in your nature.

If you really need to try to think up something to say back maybe you could use whatever is opposite of the thing they say about you. For example, if they say you're such a bookworm you probably haven't had a date in a year you could say something like, "Well, at least I'm not bordering on illiterate like you are".
If someone says something like that your hair is so long you look like a Wookie you come back with the (unimaginative, I know), "Well, at least I don't look like a chemo patient."

No, the things you say won't be all that clever; but they'll serve your purpose in giving you something to say back. You figure, they'll insult you about something that is different between you and them. They aren't going to insult you over something they also are or do. So use the opposite of their insult as your comeback.

If, by any chance, Fred says you hair is so long you look like a caveman but Fred's hair is kind of long too then you point out the "Who are you talk, Chewbacca" thing.....

Answer 3

ah God bless your innocents. don't lower yourself to their standard. if they really need your company they will have to come up to your level of respect or not find you in their presence. its very easy to just walk away from a insult competition and let the stupid ones duke it out. your doing the right thing by not saying anything.

Answer 4

Just don't say things that are their pressure points. Say things that they know are jokes, like "hmm, you know looking at your nose reminds me, Iforgot to unplug the iron"

Answer 5

i don't think there is such a thing as playful insults.