From reading these forums it appears that every so often members responding in the forums "get themselves into trouble" using sarcasm.
It may be somewhat "nerdy" to read Reader's Digest but I do and in the latest issue there is a small item about this issue.
Maybe we could use some of this during our "conversations" to get our meanings across. If you haven't seen it, here it is –( I could not paste it so had to do it "longhand")
Quote-
SARCASM SOLUTIONS
If you've ever misread an earnest email, text or tweet as a snarky comment, you'll agree: it's time we can show we're being tongue-in-cheek with a few simple keystrokes. Some ideas:
¡ Slate.com writer Josh Greenman suggests, perhaps sarcastically, that we implement a "sarcasm point", an upside down exclamation mark denoting snark. It will introduce finesse he says.
Aliza Licht, senior vice-president of Global communications for Donna Karan and self-proclaimed sarcasm addict, uses this mark to let her Twitter followers know that she is being, well, you know. (*S)
End quote
or maybe we could use ¿ ?
Any thoughts?

Those tend to be hard-to-find symbols on English keyboards. (I have to do a Google search when I want to write the word "über".)

Ideally, we could use [sarcasm]smart-aleck comment[/sarcasm]...or some variant to put a warning.

Or we could just let things like that slide...and not get our panties in a wad.

eta: Oh, I'm sorry...was that last comment snarky? LOL 

The upside down ! (¡) and ? (¿) are made by holding down "Alt" and the relevant quotation mark

Quote from: nepla on April 26, 2013, 04:41:01 AM
The upside down ! (¡) and ? (¿) are made by holding down "Alt" and the relevant quotation mark

Not on my laptop....!?

Searched online, did find this:

Quote
start>programs>accessories>system tools>character map. Copy and paste from there. if you look at the toolbar at the bottom, it also shows you the keystroke combination.

..but takes a lot of effort to find the particular doohickey-thing. Even if I right-click-send to task bar to reduce the effort just to find the character map...

But, I am open to learning. Gotta be in less than 3 keystrokes though.../sar

Aye, the average pc doesn't make special characters a spontaneous act. I go for <sarc>this, myself</sarc> (or sometimes <snark>).

Quote from: nepla on April 26, 2013, 04:41:01 AM
The upside down ! (¡) and ? (¿) are made by holding down "Alt" and the relevant quotation mark

Do you have your keyboard set for another language, like a Spanish keyset?

btw, you're pretty, Padma. 

Quote2. Full Keyboard Configuration

For those using Spanish letters and punctuation on a regular basis, I recommend going into your Control Panel/System Preferences and add the Spanish keyboard configuration. This will mean you need to learn the new key placements, but it is very easy once you get used to it.
For Windows Vista

    Go to your Control Panel
    Click on "Clock, Language, Region
    Click on "Change Keyboards"
    Click "Add" and Select "Spanish-International Sort"

For Windows XP:

    Go to your Control Panel
    Click on "Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options"
    Click on "Regional and Language Options"
    Select the "Languages" tab at the top
    Click on "Details" near the bottom
    Click "Add" and choose "Spanish-Traditional Sort"
    Go back to the "Languages" tab and choose the option to "switch languages" by pressing "left alt-shift" at the same time. This way, you can switch to and from the Spanish and regular keyboard whenever you want.

For Macs

    Go to your System Preferences
    Click on "International"
    Select the "Input Menu" tab
    Scroll down to select "Spanish - ISO"
    Note the keystrokes necessary to switch between languages OR Select "Show input menu in menu bar" to be able to click-select which keyboard you want to use.

Good for all known languages, obviously.

Just using standard keyboard configured as bought from store - but this is in Australia
¿¿¿¿¿ we are down under ¡¡¡

I just let go with the sarcasm like grapeshot, no warning! If there's any survivors, well, they'll recognize it next time!

Hmmm ¿

An Spanish people?

I just put (sarcasm) at the end if it's not obvious. Technically, I should be putting (verbal irony), but it gets the message across.

¿Que pasa, amigo?

I said Spanish, because that's the first thing I thought of when I saw the Aussie question mark...although I didn't know there were Spanish-speaking people Doun Unner...are there?

Sarcasm is apart of human communication. Honestly I feel like being blunt about this, even if it does get me into trouble. If you can't handle sarcasm on the internet, which is everywhere by the way, then don't get on the internet. -shrugs-

I think the problem is more that the usual inflections we would have if we were speaking are not present in typed words. It's not that we can't handle it. It's that one of the usual cues to recognize it aren't there.

I always try to avoid sarcasm in spite of how I may feel about a certain post or the individual that posted it. Curbing the urge is just another of life's little challenges. I often envision a sarcastic or snarky comment as if it came from some fat kid living in momma's basement who's hiding the truth about their own selves. As Edge points out there is no way to hear the tone and tenor of a comment or see the body language, all of which is important in communicating the mood and intent of what is being said. I find that unless the other person knows me well enough and that I have earned the right to make a snarky comment without offending them, I usually abstain. That's why Susan and her staff haven't seen fit to jettison me so far.

Hey now, I'm a semi-fat kid living in momma's basement. lol no seriously, I am. O_o though I'm in college and unemployed. I've also got more common sense than the usual troll occupying a basement. I also say it like I see it. People generally dislike it but if the truth hurts -shrugs-

Anyways, I can easily detect sarcasm in the form of text. Though I have a higher observation skill than most people do. Not saying it to sound rude or whatever, but it's there. Observation is my means of survival. I can tell near instantly whether I should be around somebody or not, even if I don't know them.

For example, as a kid, my mother had to bribe me with a kitten to get me to move in with my former step-father. She should have taken the hint, we'll put it that way.

For some people sarcasm is just how they operate. Myself included. It doesn't usually imply trying to be rude or mean, it's just how some people communicate. For me it's more dry humor than trying to be an poo hole. If I wanted to be a poo hole people would know it without a doubt.

Anyways, that's my take on it.












Edited profanity

Glad you get me about the fat kid in the basement, as usual I opened mouth and inserted both feet!  But as a genetic male I have developed exceptional skills such as you describe, probably due in part to being on HRT almost 19 years and being able to think with both sides of my brain according to my cis female spouse. I enjoy conversing with others and am an avid student of body language and dress modes which speaks volumes about the other person to say nothing of tonal inflection all of which is missing in forums, texting and emails which makes it easy to create a misunderstanding between people.

Yeah, Shan.  Sure.

Quote from: Jamie D on April 26, 2013, 01:17:54 PM
Yeah, Shan.  Sure.

Ok I know you are just being your sarcastic self Jamie D! 

Quote from: Beth Andrea on April 26, 2013, 01:17:18 PMSarcasm isn't about telling the truth, or even speaking your mind...its intent is to hurt.

This is true. The actual definition of sarcasm is to be cutting. But I've noticed that a lot of people also take it to mean verbal irony which is not necessarily meant to harm. Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony, but not all verbal irony is sarcasm. I think this thread is more about verbal irony than sarcasm. Am I making any sense?