10 Ways Sarcasm Makes You A Better

Person
JK, you’re the worst.

By Lindsay Holmes

Forget Spanish or French. For some people, sarcasm is a second language.

While everyone lobs a snarky remark here and there, a sarcastic person
expresses humor in verbal irony by making statements that defy their literal
meaning. Anecdotally, many people who identify as sarcastic claim that they
can’t help their salty commentary. For them, it’s as natural — and important —
as breathing.

Those who are sarcastic are the rulers of the universe, displaying more wit
and intelligence than any other personality type (that was sarcasm, obviously).
But, in all seriousness, snarky commentary is a quick way to get
misunderstood.

But sarcasm isn’t necessarily a bad trait to possess. Below are just a few
things you should know about sarcastic individuals and their shared smart-
aleck personality type:
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1. Sarcasm may be a sign of good brain health.

Research shows that a little sarcasm can be a good thing when it comes to
cognitive function. In fact, an inability to detect sarcasm may even be a sign of
brain problems or disease, like dementia. Through a series of MRIs, scientists
found that sarcasm lives in the parahippocampal gyrus, the part of the brain
associated with memory. How’s that for a reason to sharpen your wit?

2. It helps you pick friends.

Sarcastic people tend to dish out their snark more with their loved ones than
anyone else. This makes it important that they surround themselves with
people who appreciate their sense of humor (which research shows is crucial
to social connection). Sarcastic people appreciate people who not only have
the ability to tolerate their smart-ass comments, but can give them back.
3. You’re good at showing affection (really!)

I hate you = I love you to someone with a biting sense of humor. “There does
seem to be truth to the old adage that you tend to tease the ones you love,”
sarcasm researcher Penny Pexman, a University of Calgary psychologist, told
Smithsonian magazine.

Sarcastic people show affection by way of snark. That being said,

psychologists recommend curbing the remarks for the sake of certain
relationships. What sarcastic people view as playful, others may see as
hostile.

4. It might make you more creative.

A recent study found that smart alecks may be more inventive. Participants
who made sarcastic remarks — as well as the receivers of those remarks —
did better on creativity tests. The study also found that sarcasm may jumpstart
a person’s abstract thinking.

5. You know how to de-escalate a situation.

It’s no secret that sarcasm can be a little off-putting. But while conflict can
arise with a sarcastic remark, those closest to a smart aleck know it’s just their
sense of humor — at least according to research.

“Our studies show that, given the same content and tone, sarcasm expressed
toward or received from someone we trust is less conflict provoking than
sarcasm expressed toward or received from someone we distrust,” Francesca
Gino, a behavioral scientist and professor at Harvard Business School, wrote
in Scientific American.

6. Sarcasm rules the world.

Sharp wit has been revered for ages. Researchers have been studying
sarcasm for at least a decade and the trend has permeated culture much
longer than that. One phone analysis study found when people used the
phrase “yeah, right,” it was said sarcastically 23 percent of the time. What’s
more, children are exposed to it from an early age, making it highly likely they
understand sarcasm before they even get to kindergarten.

7. Sarcastic people think on another level.

There’s a common saying that “sarcasm is the lowest form of wit but the
highest form of intelligence.” That may be right: Sarcasm really is a workout
for the noggin. Research shows the brain has to work harder to process
snarky remarks, the Smithsonian reported, which may lead to a sharper brain
overall through problem solving.

8. It may have played a role in your survival.

The inability to detect snark in today’s modern society is more of a hinderance

than a help, according to experts. Research shows sarcasm may be seen as
an evolutionary survival skill because of its critical role in social interactions. In
other words, smart-ass comments are simply part of human behavior at this
point.

9. Your snark may reveal where you’re from.

Sarcasm varies depending on region and immediate culture. One study of

college-age students found that 56 percent of participants in northern states
saw sarcasm as funny while only 35 percent of the southerners found it
humorous. It seems that sincerity and southern charm may go hand-in-hand.

10. You can give up being sarcastic.

... Just kidding. In a culture that praises sarcasm through pop culture and
social media commentary, it’s easier than ever for a sarcastic person to flaunt
their biting sense of humor.

A sarcastic person passing up the opportunity to make a salty statement?

Yeah, right.