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Memes are excellent forms of expression, whether it’s humor, a strong emotion, or even a political belief. As you’re about to see, they are also effective tools for communicating sarcasm. 

For this list, we’re featuring posts from a Facebook group called Relatable Memes Served With a Side of Cyanide. If the name doesn’t give you a clue, it features images that convey some cynicism through visual humor. 

Most of these are slightly snarky in tone to perfectly capture life’s daily stressors, passive-aggressive anger, and the discomfort of embarrassment, to name a few. And as always, we’ve compiled the best ones for your enjoyment.

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    Sarcasm is a hit among many people; all 407,000 group members are just a fraction. But why is that? According to mental health counselor Anthony D. Smith, it allows us to mask hostility with humor. 

    In an article, Smith pointed out that people who use sarcasm may not be able to confront their real emotions. Therefore, they resort to a "cloak-and-dagger" approach to communication.

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    Smith adds that some people may use sarcasm to help them deal with possible intimacy issues. Apart from allowing them to “expel brewing contempt” in a less hostile manner, it may also serve as a barrier to keeping a distance from people. 

    He also pointed out other potential issues like pessimism and low self-esteem, which may explain why they react negatively towards people who aren’t fans of sarcastic behavior.

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    Magenta Blu
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah. But on the bright side it always works as socializing deterrent for people I wouldn't want to socialize with in first place. So my win after all

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    As abrasive as it may be, sarcasm has some known benefits. A report published in Scientific American Magazine revealed that people who engage in sarcastic conversation display higher levels of creativity

    For a sarcastic comment to work, the person must understand the contradictions between literal and actual meanings. This requires some critical and creative thinking.

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    DennyS (denzoren)
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    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Redo! It didn't go as pretend planned so we got to change the narrative. Sometimes you need more drama.

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    BoredPossum
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have stood up for myself but my comeback came to me on the way home and it would have taken too much mental power to fight.

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    However, even with its perceived benefits, experts advise using sarcasm sparingly. In an article for Psychology Today, renowned psychologist and lecturer Dr. Clifford Lazarus compared it to adding spice to a dish and how too much can ruin the experience. 

    “A big or steady serving of sarcasm will overwhelm the emotional flavor of any conversation and can taste very bitter to its recipient,” he wrote.

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    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, if course it is fair that we pay more taxes than billionaires, they have earned their money and keep people employed.

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    Smol Frog
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aren't there buttons??? or is this just an australian thing?

    The Problem With Censorship Is *******
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have buttons in The Netherlands, but bus drivers happily ignore them if they're either in a mood, or yapping with a collegue sitting in the front seat. :-D (And yes, this causes me anxiety. A LOT.)

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    TheBlueBitterfly
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did this first time riding the city bus, had to walk 2 blocks home. Second time, I pulled the cord (we have the old cord-style ones still, no buttons) too early and got off a block before I needed to. I just pretended I meant to do that, stopped in the deli to buy a drink. Yes, that was my plan all along.

    stacey montebello
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I bought one of those crazy reflective construction jackets, neon yellow with glow in the headlights safety stripes and neon yellow hood b/c my bus kept driving by my stop and insisting when I called to complain that they didn't see me waving at them from IN THE ROAD. CaN YoU SeE ME NOW, KeNneTh?!?!?! I literally light up the night with it on.

    Rigor Moreno
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the bus driver's too shy to ask you too but he knows you're several stop beyond... :D

    Bored Retsuko
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shut up - I had an actual nightmare about this the other day!

    Asmodeus Hare
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Y'all have buttons? We in my area just ride and hope the bus driver does not skip any of the bus stops we need to get off at

    Blitz
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once I pressed a button on a translink bus and I had never been on that bus before and I thought it would skip that stop but it stopped there and I didn’t wanna annoy the bus driver so I tapped off and walked home in shame

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    Dr. Lazarus isn’t entirely against using sarcasm. However, he recommends tweaking the approach and using clever wit instead. As he explained, the primary difference is in the intent. 

    While sarcasm is meant to sting, witty remarks are more about magnifying an issue's absurdities. The humor involved is usually harmless, not creating any tension. 

    We’d like to hear from you now. Which of these memes did you connect with the most? And what made them relatable to you? Let’s start a discussion in the comments!

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    Lucky2BAlive
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    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even when they hear the thank you but decide your honest thank you “had a tone”

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    Nosirrow
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brain is designed to keep you alive, not to make you happy. That's why we naturally remember bad things more vividly.

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    Michael Largey
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    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm waiting for that wall to get ready first. And I'm both courteous and patient. When advantageous.

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    TotallyNOTAFox
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "It can only go uphill from here!" - Yeah, ask Sisyphos how that turned out for him....

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    Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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