I'm someone who really loves to use sarcasm a lot, but when it comes to using it over the internet, most people aren't able to pick up on it. Now, as a sarcasm user, I'm used to using it all the time and hearing it all the time, so I can pick up on it. Now it's a habit for me to use sarcasm so even on the internet I do that, but it gets annoying when people get confused or offended.
What do you think of using sarcasm over the internet?
Do you do it?
Is there a way you're supposed to do it?
Share your thoughts!

This is an excellent thread.

How is that?  XD
Nah, I'm just fooling with you.  I'm not sure how to speak on how I 'use' sarcasm on the internet. I think most people use it through pixels like they do in real life. The only difference is that some people might use it more often.  But aren't we all more open and brave online?

I like using sarcasm too, just not on the internet. A lot people are either to dense or don't hear it enough IRL to pick up on it without other people pointing it out. That's why the rare times I attempt to use it on the internet I do something like [sarcasm] at the start of the sentence and then [/sarcasm] at the end, most people recognize the reference to HTML tags. There is really no sarcasm font, which there should be, so I just do that if I attempt internet sarcasm.

Well normally I will just say something sarcastic and hope people pick it up, and if they don't I will shame them for ruining my joke. Also though, I've actually seen people use ")(" for sarcasm.

Example: )That's a great idea, yeah.(

I never use sarcasm on the internet, never, not once, and never will(!)...oh who I am kidding? It's hard to not use sarcasm on the internet when you're going to get people who'll take everything seriously or are being really obnoxious.

Another great thread...XD just kidding

I don't really know how to make it more noticeable to someone else that you are using sarcasm over the internet...it is so much easier to pick it up in real life because you can just look at their body language and their tone as well, which makes it a whole lot easier to detect. I tend to be more direct on the internet so their isn't any confusion and it just gets straight to the point, plus I don't have to worry about the risk of someone getting offended by it (unless I intend to be critical)


I don't know what would make it stick out more to be honest, perhaps just italicizing it might make it a bit more noticeable, but not completely obvious so that anyone can pick up on it. 

I use sarcasm a lot, both in real life and on the Internet. It is very hard for people to pick up on it sometimes, though. I do pick up on it more times than most, just like you. But I still have trouble sometimes. On occasion I will use "sarcasm tags" to mark my post like this: [sarcasm]Wow I care so much.[/sarcasm] But it kind of ruins the effect a little, and it confuses people that don't know what formatting tags are.

jack3604 : Hm, that's interesting, I wonder if my firmeds would know what that means lol I have also seen (!) used for sarcasm (see above)

The amount of sarcasm I throw around in the chat room that is mistaken as insults or bad jokes or whatever else people want to call it? Yeah, I use sarcasm on the internet. Probably way to much, come to think of it. As for if there is a way that you are supposed to do it, I guess I never really thought about it that way. Maybe people should start using italics to show sarcasm?

Sarcasm is a huge characteristic of my personality! Or so I've been told by friends and some strangers. >.>

Like practically everything in life, sarcasm is perceived as a good and/or bad thing. I don't think it's inappropriate as long as it's done respectfully, if that makes sense. Sometimes a person being sarcastic can be obnoxious and rude, depending on the situation......

As for people being sarcastic on the internet....majority of the time I'm completely unaware, unless I'm familiar with the person and their personality or if it's simply obvious. Safe to say I don't grasp sarcasm over the internet.

I'm never sarcastic, I thought that you would have figured out.

Okay okay that was obvious (or not ). I use sarcasm on the internet and in real life but I use it here more than at some other places. The only point is, you have to watch out with which people you do it as some can take jokes while others have more trouble in it.

Razor-987 : I agree with you, in real life it's a lot easier to see if people are sarcastic or not, the most obvious sign is when their voice changes and they try not to laugh.

I too, like to use sarcasm on the Internet, as pointless as it is, but there's a huge problem with it...... lots of people can't identify it. I can see why, it's not too easy to spot inflection in text.

I can tell when someone is being sarcastic for the most part. And if done jokingly, I'm perfectly fine with it.

jack3604 : I think the ")(" idea is pretty cool. )like, just, really cool( haha

I know sarcasm is used heavily around here.  Sarcasm, to me, a lazy form of aggression without any commitment.  It's like "Meh."  People think, "I want to comment to show I disapprove but I don't want to put real work into it and provide criticism and I don't want to appear upset or angry."

A huge percentage of human interaction relies on non-verbal communication.  The tone, your facial expressions, the way your body is and how you express yourself affect your message much more than the word selection.

"What is that?"

That can mean 20 different things depending on how someone says it.

So, sarcasm, which relies even more heavily on tone is much more difficult to pick up.  You can't be subtle on the internet because there's no room for subtlety.  That's why it's easy to run around and call people gay, Nazis, and whatever extremely mean words.  The internet forces us to be over the top when we're explaining what we mean.  Sarcasm is going to confuse people because they can't tell what you mean.  And then things break down into anger.

I don't use sarcasm on the internet but I don't use it in the real world either.  People like me because they know I'm telling the truth and what I feel and how I think.  They don't have to second guess my intentions or thoughts.  Sarcastic people don't seem to communicate their genuine feelings as well so they rely on the defensive sarcasm to protect themselves.

Just be real and upfront on the internet.  It makes things easier for everyone.  If someone has a bad idea, tell them.  Don't tell them it's the greatest thing you've ever heard in the history of forever.  They might believe you.