“Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
There are two kinds of sarcastic people.
Truly sarcastic individuals, for whom sarcasm is their way of life. They’ve been that way for as long as they can remember. Their motto is: “I am sarcastic, ergo I exist!”
The second type of sarcastic people uses sarcasm as a defensive mechanism. It is just their way to keep their privacy and stand their ground. These people assume their sarcastic personality only when they need it – in the office, on a crowded metro train, or when they are having an argument with their partner. As a rule, they are well aware of their being sarcastic at the moment and they can measure their sarcasm quite well.
More often than not, sarcastic people are very charming. This is in part because of their nimble mind and in part because of their unusual sense of humor. The most common reply they get from others is” “I can’t believe you just said that!” And yet, their interlocutors are just intoxicated by the experience and don’t seem to be able to break away. If you have fallen hook, line, and sinker for a sarcast, here are our
Top ten tips for a smooth relationship with a sarcastically-minded partner:
1. Go past his or her sarcastic defenses.
Nobody wants to be hurt, right? Well, this is especially true for sarcastic people. Beneath their hard sarcastic shield, there often is a soft, sensitive heart. To reach it, however, you’ve got to bypass numerous layers of bitter irony and quite a few occasional jabs.
Unlike empaths, who literally feel others’ pain and negative emotions, sarcasts react with bitter remarks to all things that aren’t alright but are beyond their control. They do not hold back their emotions. Rather, they let off the steam as soon as it builds up and move on. So, this is a good thing to have in your partner, isn’t it?
2. Seriously, sarcasts are seldom serious!
Having said that, I mean you should really try to figure it out for yourself. You see, whatever a sarcastic person says, it always seems as if he or she is just kidding. The thing is, sometimes they are dead serious, and you’ve got to sense when their words should be taken at their face value.
3. Watch your tongue around a sarcastic person.
As a rule, sarcastic individuals have a very low tolerance for bullshit. So, if you are emotionally involved with a sarcastic guy or girl, just be careful what you say around them. Their radar ineffably detects and intercepts every stupid remark or a silly question.
What invariably follows is a rapid-fire response with disparaging irony and a volley of sardonic comments. Well, sometimes it can be a snap, off-the-cuff remark that will catch you completely off-guard.
4. A sarcastic brain is always on steroids!
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of sarcastic people is their nimble-mindedness. To say that sarcasts are quickwitted will be a sheer understatement. When it comes to witty remarks and ironic jabs, it is as if their brain is constantly on steroids!
In this path of thought, sometimes they tend to “go too far”, which means you should be ready for some pretty awkward moments when going out with your sarcastic boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s just some people have a very low tolerance for sarcasm. Therefore, sarcasts are very often misunderstood and mistaken for jerks and assholes.
5. Date a sarcast and you’ll become one.
Once you get emotionally involved with a truly sarcastic individual, you’ll gradually learn how to read them right. That’s inevitable. The great Friedrich Nietzche once said that “when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you”.
In your case, it means that the longer your relationship with a sarcastic person goes on, the more skilled you will become in avoiding the irony traps they set for you. And, if you finally choose to share your life with a sarcast, you’ll inevitably become one yourself. That’s for sure.
6. The harder a sarcast teases you, the more they are into you
Given that your sarcastic girlfriend or boyfriend is cracking witty jokes all the time, it’s hard to tell if they really like you, or are just having some nice time with you. Here is a clue. If you are the target of their remarks and witty comments, things are going in the right direction.
Against all logic, the harder a sarcast is picking up on you, the more he or she is emotionally involved with you. Contrarywise, if they are siding with you to throw a jab at someone else, in all probability you’re still just friends.
7. Sarcasts seldom pay compliments, but when they do, it means a lot.
You’ve probably heard that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The same goes for the compliments you receive from your sarcastic partner. You haven’t yet? Don’t worry! Sarcasts rarely pay any compliments unless, of course, when they are being sarcastic.
This is exactly what makes the rare moments when they pay true compliments so special. When you are in a relationship with a sarcast, a simple compliment may reveal that you actually mean the world to them.
8. If you’ve overheard your sarcastic partner say something under their nose, don’t send to know what it was.
Suppose you’ve just overheard your sarcastic boyfriend or girlfriend say something to him or herself. For God’s sake, don’t ask them to repeat it. It almost never has to do anything with you. It’s just one of these letting-out-the-steam episodes I mentioned above.
And if you confront him or her about what they just said, you’ll startle your partner and will trigger an instant and more or less instinctive defense reaction. Let’s just say occasional mumbling is one of their peculiarities you’ve got to live with.
9. Sarcasts of a feather flock together
Never does a sarcast feel more excited and intellectually challenged than when they meet their match. That is, another sarcast. What inevitably ensues is a thrilling battle of witts, wherein the duellists often get inebriated by the loquaciousness of their own verbosity to the point where they forget about the world around them.
What about us, you may ask. What should we, the non-sarcasts do in this situation? Well, you, and all other people at the party, are sure to have the fun of your life!
10. They’re great wordsmiths
Blacksmiths are guys that make different stuff out of metal. Bladesmiths craft slashing items like knives, swords, and halberds. In the same way, sarcasts are great wordsmiths. That is, they easily craft new words to reflect the complex meanings that they wish to express.
The results are always unexpected and genuinely amusing! With a sarcast by your side, you’ll never get bored!
