#6: Sarcasm Sets The Tone Of The Room
Sarcasm is contagious. The more you use sarcasm, the more it spreads to others. It sets the “no vulnerability here!” tone for the room. And it erodes everyone’s kindness filter that censors harsh, biting banter and encourages courteous, uplifting conversation. Without that filter, there might be laughter among the group, but it will be the uneasy and uncomfortable kind.
Let’s be clear: you don’t need to lose your sense of humor. Just use your “gift of the zinger” sparingly. Be intentional about looking for the positives in people and situations rather than the negatives and highlight those good things. You’ll notice a difference in yourself (hello, more joy!), and you’ll notice sweeter, more open relationships—and more joy-filled, lighthearted laughter—all around you.
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Shaunti Feldhahn loves sharing eye-opening information that helps people thrive in life and relationships. She herself started out with a Harvard graduate degree and Wall Street credentials but no clue about life. After an unexpected shift into relationship research for average people like her, she now is a popular speaker and author of best-selling books about men, women and relationships. (Including For Women Only, For Men Only, and the groundbreaking The Good News About Marriage).
Her newest book, The Kindness Challenge demonstrates that kindness is the answer to pretty much every life problem, and is sparking a much-needed movement of kindness across the country. Visit www.shaunti.com for more.
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