Genuine Instructions Vs Joking

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Does anyone else find it frustrating how some people will tell you to do something or not to do something and then it turns out that they really wanted the reverse yet other times it was really intended. Like one time you are told to do something and punished or at least threatened with punishment if you don't then another time you are told to do something and later the person is angry at you or at least annoyed because you did what they said and they are sarcastic with you about not having to do everything they say. Also, telling you not to do something and usually you would be in big trouble if you did what you had been told not to but every so often they don't understand why you didn't do it because this time it turns out that they told you not to because the reason for telling you not to do it was supposed to get you to do it and so this time it's funny or cute or something if you thought they really didn't want you to do it. Why can't some people just be honest?

 

[Judge]

Does anyone else find it frustrating how some people will tell you to do something or not to do something and then it turns out that they really wanted the reverse yet other times it was really intended. Like one time you are told to do something and punished or at least threatened with punishment if you don't then another time you are told to do something and later the person is angry at you or at least annoyed because you did what they said and they are sarcastic with you about not having to do everything they say. Also, telling you not to do something and usually you would be in big trouble if you did what you had been told not to but every so often they don't understand why you didn't do it because this time it turns out that they told you not to because the reason for telling you not to do it was supposed to get you to do it and so this time it's funny or cute or something if you thought they really didn't want you to do it. Why can't some people just be honest?

I suppose that depends mostly on who it is saying such things and why. Beyond that it strikes me as a form of "passive-aggressiveness". Frankly I'm inclined to think that there's inherently nothing particularly honest about passive-aggressive behavior.

However in my own case I should probably mention that I have difficulty processing sarcasm aimed directly at myself in general. When I usually respond with no response at all.

Then again in a nebulous social sense, I suppose for many that "beating around the bush" amounts to a "national pastime". Which can easily obscure one's message, apart from their real intent.

 

[Tired]

Can we get some examples?

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Like when I was little and we had gotten one of those small pools for little kids to play in and Dad's like " Don't swim in the pool while I'm at work" and I was supposed to know that it meant that I was supposed to play in it.

 

[Judge]

Like when I was little and we had gotten one of those small pools for little kids to play in and Dad's like " Don't swim in the pool while I'm at work" and I was supposed to know that it meant that I was supposed to play in it.

Yeah. Good example. Somehow I KNEW your father would be prominent in this scenario. Though when it involves an adult instructing a child, somehow a "joke" doesn't really come to mind.

An adult can rationalize the arrogance of "Do as I say, not as I do". But expecting the same for a child ? -Ridiculous. The sad part being to attempt to rationalize what your father's real intent was in the first place. "Tough love" or just plain malice ?

I suppose some adults do forget what it was like being a child.

Sort of reminds me of the ex-husband of a girlfriend's daughter I often had to care for. He could be so mean to her over things beyond her control at the ages of 4 to 7. A man who seemed to take out his ire over divorce on an innocent little girl. I just don't understand where that comes from. Nothing worse that recalling how pensive that little girl was every Saturday morning that her father came over to take custody of her. To see a child of that age physically nervous....awful.