How to Stop Being Sarcastic
Sarcasm is a hurtful, nonproductive way of expressing our frustration or anger with others. Several years ago, during the morning break at one of my presentations, a female co-worker came up to me and asked, “Do you know you have that hair clip on your bangs?” I was mortified. In my rush to get out of the house, I’d clamped on the large silver clip to temporarily to set my bangs but had forgotten to remove it when I arrived at work. Perturbed that my co-worker hadn’t signaled me earlier regarding this fashion faux pas, I resorted to a popular but unwise mode of communication: sarcasm. “Why, of course. I want it there!” Do you regularly respond to a person or a group’s actions or decisions in a way that is opposite of what you really feel — as evidenced by your tone or body language (smirking, raising eyebrows, cocking your head to the side, or sighing)? Sarcasm can ruin your...