Is sarcasm the best use of humor

[Nick F]

I think so, if it's used correctly.

What are your views?

[Dougal]

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour, but the highest form of wit"

As stated by my sister, and its true.

[tiggerai]

If used sparingly... Otherwise it just shows that you're not capable of other types of humour.

A little bit of good old british sarcasm goes a long way (esp in america where they don't get it)

[Pirate Pete]

yeh seconded tiggerai,

i hate those people that are just sarcastic 24/7, its like their only means of communication

i have to sit next to one in maths !!!!!!

luckily im off for the summer and she isnt in my set next year

phew

Pete

[autopilot]

The saying is actually "Lowest form of humour, highest form of intelligence", but they kind of mean the same thing i guess.

Americans do get sarcasm. They over-use it more than anyone. Friends was almost entirely based on sarcastic backhanders. It's irony they struggle with.

Anyway, the thing with sarcasm is it is easy, yet it almost always really stings the person it's aimed at. Why? Sarcastic comments often imply that the person it's aimed at are obviously lying or being very stupid and that the person making the sarcastic comment are much better or more clever.

When sarcasm is very bad is when it directly mocks the person, not the subject mater. Especially if it's someone you don't know - which is why it tends to push people buttons on forums. It can be very rude.

But a bit of sarcasm at the right time and place can be very sharp and funny. There are differnt levels of sarcasm. What annoys me is people who use it all the time because they can't think of an intelligent reply that actually explains why they dissagree with something. They are usually hiding something, like the fact they have not got the brains to contruct a counter argument.

[tiggerai]

Ah yes, I stand corrected... Irony is what the Americans struggle with... the French struggle with our sarcasm.

[shiato storm]

irony the US will just never get, ironic really. and french can't handle sarcasm as they think its an insult (something to do with the inflections of speach at certain points) and the germans are just crap at telling jokes.
therefore I conclude this is the best country for comedy.

[Paul Adams]

In response to the title question "Is sarcasm the best use of humor (sic)", I would say no.

It is the easiest form of wit, and I have no idea why anyone would consider it the most intelligent?
Americans apply it with a sledgehammer - it has to be obvious sarcasm or they seem to miss it (see the formulaic sitcoms & chat shows on US TV).

One thing I have found is that Americans find it fascinating that Brits most often poke fun at themselves, which contrasts with their method of taking the proverbial out of others.

Anecdotal humour, or putting up yourself as the butt of a joke seems to be a more "safe" kind of humour - blatant sarcasm, especially when delivered through a text-only medium, can be misinterpreted way too easily.

[autopilot]

Spot on Paul. You have to look at why people are being sarcastic sometimes. The best way to retort to sarcasm is to just smile and ask the person exactly why they mock your comment and to explain what thier perspective is on the subject they are being sarcastic about. If they can only reply with more sarcasm, they are clearly an idiot. Tell them that, as sarcasticly as posible Really sarcastic people often can't take people being sarcasirc to them. A taste of thier own.

[wedge22]

I have been noted by my work colleagues as having a dry sense of humor which I guess means that I am a sarcastic little git. Although they do not mind it too much and I try not to be funny all of the time.

[rajagra]

I think so, if it's used correctly.

What are your views?

Like, ... duh!



There you go, sarcasm and irony rolled into one.

[skuzgib]

Sarcasm = brilliance.

Especially when people get it.

[Kumagoro]

Saying that americans dont get irony when they probably dont know any and are
just spouting out something they have heard someone else say is pretty ironic.

[iranu]

Sarcasm is best amongst friends. You can usually smile whilst dishing it out so it's not taken badly. Often it will be returned within a few days. On forums I think it's wise to use something like [sarcasm] just incase it's taken the wrong way.

[Raz316]

When I think of the things that I've found funniest recently, it all points to Family Guy, which is silly humour.

But among friends, sarcasm all the way but its certainly only for people who know you are sarcy, else you just look rude

[unrealuniverse]

Everything i seem to say is sarcastic so i'm really to popular with people who find it funny. sarcasm is great