The family tradition of merciless teasing isn’t playing well with friends. Can this letter writer break a sarcasm habit?
My family is loving, but they tease one another a lot. We’re all expected to have a sharp sense of humor. You have to be able to dish it out and take it. Because I was raised in this atmosphere, I can come up with jokes on the fly, and I love to make people laugh.
Recently, a friend told me that my humor is nothing but zingers, and that some people are afraid to tell me things because they know I’ll tease them about it. I feel awful about this, and now I’m trying to ensure that my sense of humor isn’t solely based on making fun of others. I realize I do to other people what my family does to me. I’m a freelance artist, but most of my money comes from commissions from people in various fandoms. I never let my family know this anymore, because one time my dad saw my art and he just had a ball with it. He made fun of it and me, even when I said I put my heart into it and the client was really happy. The family still brings it up when I say I have a new project.
· Chop-busting only works among people who accept and respect the things that someone deems sensitive and off-limits. People who are not doing that are NOT doing it “all in good fun,” and it might be worth taking another look at how your family interacts in other ways.Bald eagle lands in D.C. decades after his dad helped revive the species
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The best Carolyn Hax columns about breakupsA round up of Carolyn Hax’s best columns about breakups.
Read more »
Carolyn Hax: Parents want to cushion their son’s breakup with his girlfriendThese parents see a breakup coming between their teen and his girlfriend. Should they intervene to spare the girl’s feelings?
Read more »
Carolyn Hax: How do you get over someone you don’t want to get over?A letter writer can’t stop thinking about the girlfriend left behind for a “shiny new job.“
Read more »
Carolyn Hax: Anti-recycler wants respect from partner on trash worldviewThis letter writer refuses to recycle and expects pro-recycling partner to respect that as they make plans to move in together.
Read more »
Carolyn Hax: Single parent wants to reconnect with ex who didn’t want kidsThey broke up amicably because he didn’t want kids. The letter writer is now a single mom and wants to reconnect.
Read more »
Carolyn Hax: Parents’ sudden divorce complicates plans for ‘dream’ weddingDad is badmouthing Mom after abruptly divorcing her, but he’s also picking up the tab for the letter writer’s “dream wedding.”
Read more »