>Excessive teasing is a serious problem that doesn't need to be ignored.
> Howard

I think there is a difference between teasing and ridiculing. When you use the word teasing, it makes me think of gentle, all-in-good-fun joking between friends. I would call the kind of teasing you are talking about ridicule. This is done with intent to harm, to tear someone else down to the end of making oneself look or seem better by comparison. And it is very wrong, and you are right, it is a serious problem. Someone who ridicules others has such a poor self-image that they feel they have to put others down in order to feel good.

There's also a difference between ridicule and criticism. Healthy, constructive criticism should be meant to help someone, to build them up, not tear them down. When criticism must be offered, it should be done in this spirit, with the understanding that you want to help that person make themselves better. If you are critical of someone but don't have any intention of trying to help them, then you should keep your comments to yourself, otherwise you will be crossing the line into ridicule.

I have a quote that I try to live by..."We never should tease people about their faults...only about their strengths." I think that if everyone had this attitude, the world would be a better place.

Gri"and that's why it's okay to tease Howard about his scooter"shny