Quite often, people get confused whether their experience with their least trusted one was a matter of bullying or mere teasing. Mean or hurtful comments, campus rumour about someone, name-calling or even silliest to hurtful pictures…the millennials of today are prone to almost everything…and guess what? Call it bullying or teasing…such actions are one of the major reasons to create a toll on psychological health among youths.
To understand the basic behavioural actions, teasing is a mild communication, or action-driven motive often tried out with friends or partners to nurture the already established bond of relationships. For instance, you may joke about your friend's new hairstyle or his fondness over his or her new crush without pushing harsh comments over their insecurities. On the contrary, bullying is done with a straight motive to bring someone down and create embarrassment to drive momentary pleasure and frolic. Some of the types and signs you must get hold of to understand the very thick line between teasing and bullying to save your soul for the better.
When teasing becomes a regular diet for your not so friendly people
Your child seems to be the sole attention of the peer group, and you are so proud of it, but ever imagined if that attention is the reason behind your child's regular teasing by a bully? Middle school and high school are some areas of paradise for bullies where strong groups of individuals chase down weaker ones to feed their egos. Stealing your child's homework, lunch, money, and even your gifted gadget can indicate a wholesome bullying case.
If the affectionate teasing transforms into bullying, it's just so not healthy.
Not all affections are friendly and pure, especially if all the jokes around you are being made just to offend you and infuriate you. If your child's friend tries to crack disrespectful jokes and put shame on them, then clearly, that's not the definition of affection.
Someone is trying to put you down and create a power imbalance.
Oftentimes, classmates or colleagues try to paddle down our power or fame within the group, almost as if they hate it but will never tell you that. If for the past few days, you are noticing a change in one of your classmates or colleagues who constantly cuts your word in a conversation and tries to put you down by influencing others with their words, it's an outright attempt to create a power imbalance.
Harmful rumours in disguise of a mere regular and friendly teasing
You reach your workplace, and all of a sudden, you realize people are talking about you, but all you get to learn is that the talking isn't just about you it's a conversation to defame your position. When a rumour is spread by someone about another person with malicious intentions, it can't be consoled or justified as a normal joke or teasing.
Teasing among friends is an age-old practice and part and parcel of every relationship. What separates teasing from bullying is the motive behind it. If constant teasing and comments are becoming a headache and a cause of negative energy around you…it’s time to step up and answer all the banter for the better.
