Sarcasm

I've got a rant building up on the subject of sarcasm, particularly regarding its use by parents to their children.

I haven't worked out all the details yet, but the essence of my peeve is this:

ATTENTION PARENTS. CHILDREN DO NOT UNDERSTAND SARCASM. HOWEVER, IF YOU CONTINUE TO USE SARCASM, THEY WILL PICK IT UP AND USE IT. This doesn't mean they will understand it, nor its consequences, especially its ability to make others feel ashamed and hurt, but they will still use it. (And if they are the right type of kid, they will keep using it even after they realize its effects.)

So when your kid turns out to be a jerk, all I'm sayin' is, don't look around for someone else to blame.