i dont really get whats wrong with sarcasm. maybe its because im english and i have a different sense of humor, but i just never get it when americans talk about sarcasm like its the height of rudeness. its just a form of comedy, whats wrong with it?! they seem to talk about it as if it means your rude, cocky or insincere, but thats not what sarcasm is. sarcasm is just irony in a humerous and often cynical context. even if you say a rude and ignorant comment using sarcasm, its not the sarcasm thats rude, its what your comment means. PLEASE someone explain! also, do americans usually just NOT use sarcasm in the funny way, just the rude way? in that case they are sooooo missing out! no wonder they had to change 'the office' thats full of irony, sarcasm and such like. im not saying that americans have a bad sense of humour, im just wondering if maybe thats why they dont 'get' some british comedy.
2007-02-21 03:18:07 · 16 answers · asked by bojanglestothemax 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
sarcasm is used by moderatly smart people to feel superior. thats why people dont like it. i personally love british tv
2007-02-21 03:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
You've hit the nail on the head! Some Americans just have a different idea of what's funny and what's not. It's the result of us coming from so many different backgrounds.
For instance, my grandmother finds sarcasm horribly rude. Sometimes it makes her angry. Comedy classics like Monty Python are either lost on her or elicit an angry reaction. However, when you consider that my grandmother was raised speaking Chinese and still thinks in Chinese, it's no wonder that she has a hard time getting English-language sarcasm. (She really does take everything said to her at face-value.)
As for me, I tend to like sarcasm, but whether or not I get it or appreciate it is dependent upon my mood, the tone the person employing the sarcasm and how well I know the person. I suppose some of my grandmother's tendencies have rubbed off on me.
Another problem that I've seen, especially online, is that it's difficult to tell whether or not a person is being sarcastic when I can't hear their vocal tones or see facial expressions. Usually sarcasm is accompanied by a slight smile, a twinkle in the eye, a slight change to the voice, something that lets the listener know that one is not completely serious. With the written word, that's not a possibility. Some people are skilled enough that they can manage to mix a certain tone in with the words, but most people just can't do it. With nothing else to guide me, I will take something I see in writing literally. (So do a lot of other people.)
I'm not a stupid person and I actually love sarcasm. It's one of my favorite forms of humor! But sarcasm's beauty and effectiveness, unfortunately, is always dependent upon its delivery. Some people just can't measure up, I'm afraid.
2007-02-21 12:26:02 · answer #2 · answered by Avie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll say it. AMERICANS HAVE A LOUSY SENSE OF HUMOR. There. That out of the way, I think sarcasm is the highest form of comedy known to man. It takes quick thinking, and its convenience (usually at a time when least appropriate) usually adds to the laugh. People don't get british comedy because they don't want to look into it so much. If it doesn't fart or get kicked in the nutsack every 5 minutes, the channel needs to be changed- maybe thats why we keep wanting more crappy channels.
2007-02-21 11:25:56 · answer #3 · answered by billthakat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think witty sarcasm is funny on tv and in movies, but in real life, it takes on a different meaning. People sometimes use sarcasm in place of being direct with their anger. It can be a passive-aggressive way for people who are uncomfortable expressing their emotions to undermine another person under the guise of humor.
2007-02-21 12:25:53 · answer #4 · answered by good_4chen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a day goes by that I don't use sarcasm in some way. In fact my boyfriend is the most sarcastic person I have ever met (think Dr. House) and I love it! He makes me laugh :) As long as he doesn't use the sarcasm directed at me ;)
2007-02-21 15:13:54 · answer #5 · answered by Aquaria 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I like Sarcasm. Read through my questions. I am the king of sarcasm.
That said, the English sense of humor is too obvious, and too silly. Sarcasm is funniest, when it's subtle.
2007-02-21 11:23:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sarcasm is an art form; many Americans are just too lazy to try to understand it or too stupid to find the irony. Most people prefer to be spoon-fed their opinion from someone else.
It's just a flesh wound - come here and let me bite you.
2007-02-21 11:24:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm American and I simply LOVE sarcasm. I use it quite a bit myself.
Sarcasm is...oh so lovely like a rose, you can smell the beauty of the petals but are leery of the thorns.
(Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own"--Jonathan Swift)
2007-02-21 12:04:05 · answer #8 · answered by ViolationsRus 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sarcasm is true Wit! I love It!
2007-02-21 11:25:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't see what's wrong with sarcasm... maybe because I'm Canadian! I use it all the time... in addition to those cute three little periods. (I think they're called an ellipsis.) Our two countries have a lot bigger problems than sarcasm! For example, gay marriage needs to be abolished and the death penalty needs to be enforced for all murders.
2007-02-21 11:24:16 · answer #10 · answered by pianoman.jeremy 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I love sarcasm
2007-02-21 11:22:32 · answer #11 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋