I have a personality trait that could be considered dubious…thoughts?

Question

Since I was raised in a pretty stressful household (and almost committed suicide due to depression in high school), I built up some defense mechanisms to help me cope over the years.

Let me try to explain this: I pride myself on running opposite the pack. I poke fun at EVERYTHING (within some obvious boundaries of respect), and I see myself becoming a huge prankster in college. I’d be the type to campaign for a guy I didn’t support and vote for the one I did just so I could confuse everyone on my political choices. I’d be the type to switch the drama club’s show tune CDs to screeching guitar feedback. If I were a teacher’s assistant, I’d talk in a foreign accent the whole time (and change it without saying anything every few weeks). If my dorm was group screening Juno, I’d cross the title out and write something crazy like “Cannibal Holocaust” in its place…you getting the picture? While I’m pretty nerdy arts-wise, I have a pretty simple sense of humor, and most of that stems from my infinite amusement at pushing people’s limits.

While I question everything I see and I try to look at everyone as an equal, I almost never show disrespect. There ARE many values I’m serious about (open-mindedness, responsibility, loyalty, honesty, respect, altruism, keeping true to your word) but is it possible that my fascination with playfully s******g with people could lead to bad things in the future?

Answer 1

Looks to me like it's just general attention seeking. But it's along the lines of class-clown, and you realise what you're doing, and why..

So I'm going to say no, it won't lead to anything serious. Although it certainly could. Attention can be addictive.

However, it's all down to whether you give in to it or not. My bet is you'd see it coming and it would be up to you to then decide whether to resist/ get help for your problem or whether you would go ahead and do something stupid...

If that makes sense? It's pretty much exactly confirming what you said yourself..

I wouldn't worry.

But since you're mentioning it, does that mean you see it as a character flaw you want to change ?? Once you get to a certain age people will take your immature joking around pretty badly. Then what will you do ??

Answer 2

Yes.  Unless those close to you can tell when you're joking and when you are serious, you will never be thought of in serious measure.  It may be difficult fo ryou to become serious when needed, such as at a job interview.  

Answer 3

you sound like you are trying too hard.  i'd get annoyed with you pretty quickly.

Answer 4

Only if you are inappropriate, disrespectful or offensive.  Otherwise you sound like most art students I have met.

Answer 5

Like you say you also have many good personality traits, i think making fun of new people without knowing them and their limits could prove tricky but none of what i read was cruel or particularly horrible just random and quite funny (i particularly like the teachers assistant with changing accents, sounds so funny).

You just need to get to know people first while letting them know what sort of person you are, ie a teaser, but without pushing them too far untill YOU know THEIR limits, thats the only problem i could guess at. You say you respect people though so you shouldnt have any problem with this.

Also when other people arent in the mood you might not be found so funny, just something for you to bear in mind.

You sound funny though, i would love to know someone like you at college!