Finding People Who Are Capable of Sarcasm

In order to be able to recognize sarcasm, you will need to hear a lot of sarcastic comments, and to pay close attention to the nuances that make an otherwise simple comment into a sarcastic sting. To do this, you will need regular access to one person who is a natural at being sarcastic. The easiest place to start would be the people you already know. Although it is unlikely that you will have a friend or acquaintance who is clever enough to be sarcastic -- being that you are not sarcastic yourself*--it is still worth evaluating your friends.

Note: If the initial search leaves you empty-handed (which is highly likely), please do not be discouraged. The next few paragraphs that follow will outline a course of action to acquire at least one avenue to situate yourself where sarcasm can be recognized and studied.

If you have exhausted the first step of your search, it is now time to expand your quest beyond the limited scope of your friends and acquaintances.

Note: If your search is taking too long and you feel that you may be losing some of what you had learned in Lesson One, then you must take some time to review the definition that you memorized (and hopefully grasped) in that lesson.

The easiest way to recognize people from whom you can learn is to listen when people talk. If someone uses words that you do not understand, or perhaps makes a comment which induces laughter in others but does not strike you as whimsical at all, then you can almost always be certain that you have located someone who is capable of sarcasm. But be careful not be misled by a comment that is merely an 'inside joke'.

In addition to the technique mentioned above (which may be very time-consuming and at times confusing) you can use a more direct approach. When you hear something that you do not understand which causes laughter among some (if not all) who are present, then simply as the speaker if he was being sarcastic. This will most likely make you seem silly or stupid, but you must remember to concentrate on your goal, and not allow some embarrassment to dishearten you.

By asking if a particular comment was meant to be sarcastic you will be accomplishing two things. First, you will more often than not get a response to your question and gain experience in recognizing sarcasm. Second your odd question may be deemed a joke, and garner laughs of its own which would put you a step closer to being more friendly with the people you are trying to learn from.

Repeat the above exercise as often as possible. As you gain more experience, attempt to decide whether a comment is 'sarcastic' or 'not sarcastic' before asking the question. This way you assess your abilities and progress.

Once you are confident that you can recognize sarcasm, it is time to move to Lesson Three.

Note: Sometimes a mere alteration in tone and cadence can transform an innocent remark or reply into a sarcastic gem.

*As previously discussed, though you may not be dim-witted, it is highly likely that you do not have the requisite intelligence, wit, or cleverness to attract members of the intelligentsia as friends or acquaintances.

Lesson Three: Memorizing and Reciting