Title: How to Deal with Sarcastic People | Savvy Psychologist
Headings: How to Deal with Mean Sarcasm
How to Deal with Mean Sarcasm
6-minute read
Featured on QDT
Sarcasm requires more advanced thinking skills
This doesn't mean sarcastic people are smarter, despite what some Internet articles might want you to believe.
Neither human judges nor machine algorithms are very good at identifying sarcasm on Twitter.
Why do people use sarcasm?
Next time you call customer service, your best bet is to be nice.
How to respond to mean sarcasm
Response #1: Answer them literally
Respond with the opposite of sarcasm—sincerity.
Response #2: Ignore them (and maybe throw some compassion their way)
Response #3: Label real feelings and follow up with sincere questions
Response #4: Give some free advice
About the Author
Jade Wu, PhD
More Tips from Savvy Psychologist

Content: Some folks are sarcastic to make fun of an absurd world. They’re laughing with you, not at you. Or maybe they're even laughing at themselves. That’s fine—let them be. But those who are laughing at you often honestly think they’re being funny. They don’t realize they leave a trail of hurt feelings—not to mention higher odds of divorce and greater chances of getting fired—in their wake. If you care about someone with a habitually hostile wit, consider a gentle intervention: “ You have such a wickedly sharp sense of humor. I know you don’t mean to be hurtful, but your sarcasm sometimes comes across as hostile, which I’m guessing is not your intention.” If you’ve come along for this deep dive into sarcasm without saying “Wow, how in teresting,” then when I say “Thanks for listening,” know that it’s sincere.