We can vent frustration w/out being offensive by keeping the actions or events the target of our comments to avoid making it personal.

I often prefer to be alone. When I use sarcasm it's in jest and with those I am most comfortable with...usually. I don;t really go in for the whole competitive battle of wits mentality tho. I don;t really like arguing sarcastically or otherwise...I nearly always walk away from that kind of thing.

Once I find out someone communicates on that platform I do what I can to avoid them....jmho

I've been thinking about your post trying to wrap my head around your meaning.

How can we actually target someone's actions w/o hurting their feelings, even if we don't address them directly?

Is this like beating around the bush to make our point?

And if the target is present and knows we're referring to them then that's okay that we've vented our frustration on them indirectly? No matter if we've being intentionally offensive in an underhanded way?



I'm the same way when it pertains to sarcastic remarks. Mine are generally teasing in nature unless someone has attacked me first. Then, like everybody else I stand up for myself, especially if the attack is just somebody venting their frustration in my direction.



Wouldn't you agree that most conversations, or debates are simply battles of wit?

Then, when sarcasm is used as a tool to goad or get under the other's skin the conversation can become more intense and volatile?

I find that sometimes people with differing opinions than mine will harshly judge me (incorrectly) because they interpreted something I said one way, and then used their assumptions to throw subtly scathing remarks at me.

Then, when I politely stand up for myself to clear the air so the others keeping up with our conversations won't be left with the wrong impressions about what I meant, those that try to rebuke me publicly may get offended because I stood up to their "rush to judgment" opinions.

Personally, I think when we're all talking to each other about topics we feel passionately about that sarcasm shouldn't be used as a sneaky method to barb an opposing view. But if it is then we should be ready to get as good as we give.

Wouldn't you agree?



I agree with you on this point... When I interact with people who think they're the only ones with the right answers and snark at me at every opportunity because they think I should keep my differing opinions to myself, I also avoid these types too.

Thank you sweet... for the opportunity to discuss this topic further...

OUCH!



Now that's some serious tude...