Jul 12, 2009
Asking if you’re joking either ruins the humor or shows I don’t take your seriousness seriously.
Occasionally, a comment makes me honestly wonder if the author is kidding.
But there’s no way to politely ask, “Are you serious?”
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You can google their screen name if the comment seems trollish. Some people have a particularly obnoxious web presence.
Done this before. Very helpful.
You don’t ask if they are serious. You assume they are just a selfish, sarcastic jerk and talk about them behind their back until they become “that guy that posted that thing on your blog that one time” and all you have to do in your circle of friends is mention him by his new name, TGTPTTOYBTOT and everyone says “ooooohhhhh” in a sincere voice and looks all sorry for you. AND you get double points if you can pronounce TGTPTTOYBTOT. So score for you.
(In case this helps, totally not serious. And yes, it’s past midnight. And yes, my baby doesn’t yet sleep through the night. And yes, I should go to bed. And yes, I’m blaming exhaustion on this comment. You’re welcome.)
“And yes, it’s past midnight. And yes, my baby doesn’t yet sleep through the night. And yes, I should go to bed. And yes, I’m blaming exhaustion on this comment.”
I used to not understand comments like this, but after 2 1/2 weeks of Fatherhood, I realize my former level of understanding was a blissful ignorance.
My response then: “Are you serious?”
My response now: “Seriously!”
About time someone said this. We should clamp down on all non-serious posting. We have a great commission to fulfill, no time to waste laughing.
…are you serious?
i find that in this singular context, asking if someone is serious adds to the humor…
LOL
…no time to waste WONDERING whether we’re supposed to laugh or throw rotten tomatoes.
Hey, I’m with Paul. Remember, “Jesus Wept,” not “Jesus belly laughed.”