Why do people mistake humour for sarcasm ?

It depends on many factors - the relationship between you and the person, the character of the person, situation etc. But the first two factors are the most important ones. If you are very close to a person, and you make fun of him, he may not take it seriously. Even if you do it sarcastically, he may take it as a joke. On the other hand, if you are not in good terms with him, even an unintentional word may hurt him much and in return, hurt you too! Secondly, the character of the person. There are a wide variety of characters. Each one has a different set of perception, interpretation, different levels of understanding, expression etc. If you are dealing with a jovial, easy going, fun packed person, then nothing is serious. Even if you are deliberately sarcastic, he may not take it that way. Even if he feels it, he'll pull your leg in return and make fun. The situation is not going to get much serious. If you are dealing with a rough and tough dominating type. These are also optimists like the previous type. They can take humour as it is. Even if you are being sarcastic, that's not that serious. For them, sarcasm is both good and bad. If you point out their mistake through sarcasm, they can do either of these - understand their mistake and seriously work towards rectifying it or bounce back, defending their action. The second case is not preferable, so better be under control!!! On the other hand, there is another class of people who are very much soft, delicate, compassionate... these people are easily affected by even mild negative comments. Hence, don't try to be very funny with them. Don't involve them in your humour. They may easily mistake it for sarcasm. These people are not self-motivated. Hence sarcasm makes them feel bad, dejected and demotivated. They won't bounce back like the previous type. Instead, they will keep themselves in sorrow!!

It has been said that sarcasm is the lowest form of humour. A saying that goes back many, many, many years. I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with that old saying, just pointing it out. So what's wrong with a little sarcasm in your life once in a while? I admit that I find it funny at times. Can one really mistake humour for sarcasm if sarcasm is actually a form of humour?

I think it depends on the person's personality as to how they interpret things. For instance a person with a sarcastic personality will find more things humorous than others. Remember it takes all kinds to make the world go around!

I find humour difficult sometimes. I worry too because sometimes I try to be funny with someone because if I don’t I feel I might explode (humour breaks the ice or improves mood or communication) but then a little joke can be the thing that explodes and backfires. I feel badly if I think I’ve hurt someone’s feelings and can only apologize. Me too, sometimes if I am not in a funny mood everything seems not funny and can take things too seriously when they are not serious at all.