Verbal Abuse Disguised As Jokes

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Verbal Abuse Disguised As Jokes

Verbal abuse can begin as small digs disguised as jokes. Your boyfriend or husband teases, ridicules and humiliates you with sarcastic remarks about your appearance, personality, abilities and values.

If you tell him, โ€œI donโ€™t think thatโ€™s funny,โ€ or you ask him to stop โ€œpoking fun at youโ€ he may become defensive, irritated or angry.

He tells you, โ€œYouโ€™re too sensitiveโ€ or โ€œYou canโ€™t take a joke.โ€ His blaming statements are very convincing and you wonder if you are over-reacting. You question your ability to reason and you doubt your perception of his abuse.

Denial of abuse

His denial of your experience of his abuse adds another layer to his abuse.

He makes comments about you in front of friends that mock or belittle you. He conceals his acrimony with a smug grin and laughter. Because his public ridicule is unexpected, it throws you off balance and it embarrasses and humiliates you.

Read: Covert Verbal Abuse: Passive Aggressive Behavior That Aims to Control You

Your friends may laugh at his wisecracks but your heart felt the jab and your brain struggles to interpret the true meaning of his put-down. If you show shock or displeasure he may patronize you with a hug and tell you he was only โ€œkidding.โ€ He maintains his good guy faรงade and your friends wonder why you are overly emotional about a mindless joke.

โ€œIt takes a quick mind to come up with ways of disparaging the partner either crassly or with wit and style. This kind of abuse is not done in jest. It cuts to the quick, touches the most sensitive areas, and leaves the abuser with a look of triumph. This abuse never seems funny because it isnโ€™t funny.โ€ โ€” Patricia Evans, The Verbally Abusive Relationship

Damage of self-esteem

Over time his ridicule and put-downs can severely damage your self-esteem, sense of self and integrity.

Dr. Dirtbag was a master at covert ridicule. We were eating dinner in front of the TV and out-of-the-clear-blue-yonder, he said, โ€œYa know, the reason fat people are fat is they donโ€™t know when to stop eating. Your plate is so clean when you get I through eating I donโ€™t even have to wash it.โ€

I froze mid-bite. He could see the hurt in my eyes. Instead of apologizing he feigned innocence, saying, โ€œOh, did I say something wrong?โ€ He swore he didnโ€™t mean it and he projected the blame onto me, saying โ€œGeez, I was just trying to help. You told me you wanted to weight. I canโ€™t say anything to you. Iโ€™ll just keep my mouth shut.โ€

His sole purpose was to shock and wound me with his spiteful put-down.

Read: Emotional Abuse: The Quiet Killer

Examples of verbal abuse disguised as jokes:

She canโ€™t remember anything; she has sticky notes everywhere.

Sheโ€˜s so funny; she burns everything she cooks.

She canโ€™t find her way to the grocery store without a GPS.

Having a bad hair day?

You act just like your mother.

You would forget your name if it werenโ€™t on your driverโ€™s license.

He is saying, I can say whatever I want to say about you because I am โ€œjustโ€ being funny.

Understand, the purpose of his hostile, disparaging humor is to victimize, belittle and insult you. If you donโ€™t react to his ridicule, he will not be able to control, dominate and power over you.

Read: Anxiety Disorders Could Be Caused By Being Exposed To Narcissistic Abuse

Instead of reacting to his ridicule (I know it’s hard!), try this:

  • Donโ€™t get drawn into his attempt to put you down. Donโ€™t acknowledge his excuses. Do NOT get into a debate with him.
  • Tell him emphatically, you donโ€™t appreciate being the butt of his humor and you want him to you stop itโ€”donโ€™t stick around for his reply.
  • Tell him, โ€œDo you feel better now?โ€ and leave the room.
  • Ignore him and pick up your phone and call a friend or take a walk.

Get the picture?

Chances are your abusive partner will never change, but you can change the way you react to his verbal abuse.


Written by Nancy Nichols
Originally appeared on KnowItNancy.com

Verbal Abuse Disguised As Jokes
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Verbal Abuse Disguised As Jokes

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    JodiArts

    Thank you so much for this post. It helped me figure something out. <3

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