
Why Do Guys Tease Each Other?
Over the years, I’ve noticed an odd behavior mainly among men: it’s the not-so-fine art of “guy teasing.” You’ve heard it many time and may not have noticed. It shows as an off-the-cuff comment like “Hey, nice three-putt” when one of your buddies misses a short, easy putt. You may also hear “Did you get that shirt at the thrift store?” when a guy wears something very fashionable. Yet another example is “Just put on your big-boy pants and deal with it!” intended to help a friend after a personal setback or criticism. In one sense, men simply use words to engage in this playful, yet weird form of communicating. But on the other hand, where is the line between male bonding and bullying? “Genderally” Speaking During many of my talks on male friendship, I often speak in “genderalities” which is defined as “a statement or principle having very general,