Roy, thanks for your response and your candour, very much appreciated. In the same ilk as your teacher wanting to desensitise you somewhat, I think many people (certainly myself) who were exposed to lots of teasing (giving and taking) due to younger interactions, were similarly desensitised and as a result think nothing of teasing another, or being teased, and perhaps don’t understand why some people find it so offensive and off-putting!
Self-deprecation is a lovely thing and very attractive, I think it shines through well with you and in your work… And the tone… Spot on. nail on the head. I think my point about intention is similar to tone, because the tone will show your true intention.
Amen indeed my friend, A.

Hi Keith, parading as me indeed!
Well there is a level of expectancy with the Weakest link, isn’t there? People expect it and therefore deal with much of it before hand. That said, on TV they may not show offence or upset, but I expect many of them really do feel that way following a show.

Ya know, when I was younger, and uber sensitive, I never took the teasing well. BUT, my teacher whom I am close to till this day, insisted on teasing me lightly in order for me to “get over” my sensitivity.

It somewhat work then but it took a lot more work over the years from me. It comes from realizing, who cares? From changing perspective on oneself. I am VERY quick in mocking myself now which at times can be dangerous as I can easily tease others but I do it in a loving way.

For example, last night I had to call a girl for the first time and she said she will call me back later because her phone is dying and I might get cut off…I said sure, why don’t you just hang up on me like that….she started cracking up and it was a great conversation later.

I guess it comes with one tonality, and how their personality shines through. Hard to do but a great skill to have.

Sometimes, well, all the time, we must be careful that when we tease, we really teasing and not have some embedded meaning in it which will be felt.

And today, I tease a lot in a fun fashion, especially those who are uber sensitive, not because I want to make them cry, but rather because I want to help them. Is it the best way? Not sure. But seems to work so far as they know who I am.

Best thing about it for me, because of my ability to laugh and tease and just have fun, people tend to listen to me more. I think it was Bandler who once said if he can make someone laugh, he can help them change.

Amen.

P.S. Not sure what with the uber word today.