Search Results: low self esteem

Self-deprecating humor is something that is said, often when the speaker has engaged in a faux pas or misstep, to try to make others laugh and - at least superficially - distract attention away from the gaffe. E. g., if I tripped, stumbled, and felt embarrassed, as I picked myself up, I might joke that "Well, there's a reason why my mother didn't name me 'Grace!'"

The person making the joke feels relieved that their partner is laughing but self-deprecating humor often conveys a message that the joker suffers from low self-esteem. People who use self-deprecating humor frequently are unaware of the underlying message or they will simply deny that such a message is being sent.

Do you use self-deprecating humor in your relationships? Have you been involved with someone who routinely made jokes that put themselves down? Did you wonder about their self-esteem?