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Should friendship always offer a free pass for teasing?

Many would argue that you aren't truly friends with someone unless you can make fun of each other. However, there is a fine line between making a joke or two and acting in a way that hurts feelings. Knowing when to stop with the one-liners is a far more important skill than the comedic timing of when you start. Any good friendship needs to have a certain level of mutual respect.

That being said, we all make mistakes. When we have a relationship with someone that relies on humor, there is always the risk that they will take offence. It is how we deal with an instance like this that reveals whether we are a faithful friend who made a mistake, or a person who they are better off without.

It should be pretty simple to avoid taking some good-natured teasing into nasty territory. Be aware of what friends are especially sensitive about, and know when it is a good time to stop. "It's just a joke" is an excuse that has been used by far too many, but the reality is that words can cut deeper than it is made out to be.