GIP: I'm joking!

[alias_sqbr]

Because I have this unfortunate need to make sarcastic jokes in the ljs of strangers, and then they think I'm sincere, and it's all very embarrassing. (It's also sometimes a problem with people I know, but on the whole I think you guys have learned to go "Sophie just said something nonsensical or out of character, so even though it wasn't funny I'll assume she was joking")

Comments

[oddmonster.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I think I know you."

I always feel bad when I comment randomly and yet and yet and yet it is always entirely appropriate in my brain...

[alias_sqbr]

Yeah, if only other people would learn to be psychic my life would be much easier :)

[oddmonster.livejournal.com]

Okay that needs to be a tshirt.

[alias_sqbr]

Heh, you're right *ponders*

[nixwilliams.livejournal.com]

i think i should make me some kind of similar thing. oh, sarcasm.

[alias_sqbr]

So irresistible, and yet so troublesome...

[danamaree.livejournal.com]

Cultural differences are a big deal too, sometimes I say sarcastic things (and well, to be fair, sometime sarcasm doesn't come off well in the written format) but Americans sometimes don't get sarcasm, or they find sarcasm offensive.

This I got into trouble with when I stayed with my Aunt in Maryland, she hanged out with a lot of bible thumpers, so I was always making sarcastic remarks, but it was lucky in some ways, coz they took me literally, take rhetorical sarcastic questions seriously, and I'd be like 'yeah OK'.

Best thing to say though, if you say something sarcastic and someone takes it the wrong way, 'Sorry, I was being sarcastic' and try not to give in to the temptation of being even more sarcastic (which is my sin).

PS: I've messaged people hundreds of times to let them know that someone else online is being sarcastic on LJ, I'm compulsive in trying to mediate off the thread.

[alias_sqbr]

Yes, cultural differences don't help. Even small scale ones like nerd vs non-nerd can be troublesome if I'm not keeping my audience in mind.

[penchaft.livejournal.com]

If I had a dollar for every time I've offended an American because our humour styles are incompatible...

Then again, I've seen someone say that it's okay for British people to be snarky and mean because they're just so gosh-darned sexy.

[alias_sqbr]

Well it is!

(Wow, this icon is useful)

[col-ki.livejournal.com]

I think you need less disclaimers in your life!

As is often said (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bernard_Baruch):
"Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter."

[ataxi.livejournal.com]

I agree.

[alias_sqbr]

Given the choice between disclaimers, constantly re-explaining myself, or alienating a large proportion of the people I meet, I like disclaimers :P (If the only people I alienated were stupid I wouldn't mind so much, but my humour really doesn't seem to translate for a lot of people)

Anyway, I think it adds to the humour of a joking comment to have a giant THIS IS A JOKE disclaimer attached to it(*) (If you don't that just proves my point)

(*)Except when it totally spoils the joke, I'd probably not use it then

[col-ki.livejournal.com]

The negative side effect of disclaimers is similar to appending "or not, whatever" to every sentence - it means that you don't have a position on anything.

Fences are pointy, you know.

[alias_sqbr]

How is a giant blinking sign saying "THIS IS A JOKE" ambiguous?

[greteldragon.livejournal.com]

You should start using that icon sarcastically.

:)

[alias_sqbr]

Ahaha, yes, mess with people's heads.

[capnoblivious.livejournal.com]

"Sophie just said something nonsensical or out of character, so even though it wasn't funny I'll assume she was joking")

I've had people take written lj parodies of Miranda Devine - my personal benchmark for insane right-wing drivel - as my honest-to-god opinion. I don't know how this happens, because I'm pretty sure my 'net persona is as much of a lefty as I am in real life, but, you know, it did and does.

I don't know if your sense of humour is more obtuse than mind - it would seem unlikely from what I've seen - but I'm prepared to write off people who, for example, think I share opinions with Miranda Devine as idiots, mostly because I find that sort of thing fairly offensive and fairly *obviously* offensive. Paralleling your comment, it looked to me as if the following thought process was taking place: "Stu's just said something nonsensical or out of character - clearly it's better to assume a complete reversal of opinion, not to mention nature, rather than a joke that's fallen flat."

Much as I hate to give offense myself, I figure I'm allowed to feel offended once in a while. :)

Extreme example, with a point that's vague at best. Sorry about that. :)

Multiple edits, as well. Sorry about that, too. :)

[alias_sqbr]

Well, I don't think it's fair to complain if people misjudge you if they don't know you, which is where this mainly comes up for me. But yes, I would also be pretty offended if people who know me took that sort of sarcasm from me at face value.

Comment editing is both a blessing and curse isn't it? :)

[capnoblivious.livejournal.com]

Yeah, context is important. As a stranger among strangers (eg. forums and discussion groups), it's fair enough. Among friends (a blog among my people), I'd be a bit more annoyed, especially if it recurred. In my space - my own LJ - I'm remarkably intolerant. :)