Words

“What are words if we don’t mean them when we say them?”

This quote typically refers to the danger of making promises, commitments and of course the “I love you” in every romantic relationship. The dangers are obvious: saying such words and not delivering would quickly mark you as a loose talker, a person who doesn’t mean what he says and of course in cases of a breach of the “I love you” commitment, a Casanova (okay not on the first time, but soon word will spread right?). Hence, people would learn how to control their tongues, described in the Bible as a sword, and tone down their promises and commitments to levels that they are able to deliver satisfactorily in their relations with other fellow people, and that’s that.

However, what about the danger of using words to tease, disturb or playfully verbally poke another person? ‘

There’s no harm right? Playfully insulting one another, I don’t mean what I say right!’

I believe the answer to this is, yup there isn’t any harm as long as you stay within the unsaid limits of your friend’s sensibilities. This means that you’d have to know the person pretty well to be able to know how much he/she can take, else you risk alienating a friend that could otherwise have become a good friend.

Then again, despite not meaning the words said when playfully insulting one another, sometimes the meanings of the words rub off on the receiver subconsciously. Maybe one day the receiver will burst, or on a day the receiver is a little ‘off’, the receiver might just blow the lid on the kettle, I don’t know. It’s a possibility! Sometimes the insults can progress to become a little over-the-top, resulting in momentary discomfort on the receiver’s side. That’ll probably be the first sign of crossing the line.

I think that in general, playfully ribbing one another definitely isn’t detrimental to relationship, platonic or romantic, and can sometimes even build it up even more! However, it is a good idea to keep one’s tongue in check and not go too far, just to keep the peace eh? ^^