How do you respond to cynicism and sarcasm directed to you personally?

1. 73

   breathe2travelposted 13 years ago

   How do you respond to cynicism and sarcasm directed to you personally?

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2. 81

   MarleneBposted 13 years ago

   I understand cynicism and sarcasm. I know it is the other person's way of putting me down- trying to make me feel less of a person than they are. But, it doesn't rile me up. I might address the comment out of the sake of acknowledgement. But then I let it go. I'm usually not brought down by it. I usually just feel bad for the other person. I know they have some deep rooted problems that they have not dealt with and they think I'm the one they can lay all their frustrations on. They don't know, I'm not that person. Not today anyway.

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3. 60

   MickSposted 13 years ago

   Sometimes I will answer out of politeness, trying to keep the peace sort of thing; however, I've found that it is usually better to let the children play.

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4. 61

   duffsmomposted 13 years ago

   It can be really hurtful if someone directs that at you.  While my first instinct is to react in kind, I have found it very effective to either smile as though they are not important or if appropriate give a laugh, turn and walk away.  They will be left wondering, "what the h---?"

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5. 60

   TheLifeExperimentposted 13 years ago

   It depends. If the person is legitimately trying to make me feel bad, or just being rude, then I walk away and let them sort out their own issues. But sometimes, its just the person's personality, and they don't mean anything by it. Some people are just sarcastic and cynical because its more interesting than being agreeable and friendly to everyone 100 percent of the time. It really just depends on the person and the situation.

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6. 78

   remanikiposted 13 years ago

   One of the useful lessons I have learned in life has been to learn to I-G-N-O-R-E (I call it my mantra) people who are rude and sarcastic to me. I can guarantee that once you turn away from them, they are actually left shocked because all they want to do is to provoke and when that provocation does not work, they are left wondering as to what to do next.
   
   They are most likely to feel ashamed by this bad behavior of theirs and might, just might think twice before doing it to another person. Of course nature of human beings don't change so easily but it is definitely worth a try. At least that may be an experience they would remember.

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7. 60

   ackman1465posted 13 years ago

   I double it up and direct it right back at the idiot who visited it upon me in the first place..... Tit-for-tat!!!!!

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