I feel like my "friends" are just keeping me around just to make fun of me or use me as the "jester" of the group. Am I overthinking this?

[Azami]

So whenever I'm part of a friend group, I sometimes been told that I can be "funny" or "silly." While I don't consider myself to be a funny person, it *seems* that the people like my sense of humor and I do enjoy making people laugh. However, over the years, some of the friend groups that I was a part of would treat me as sort of the "jester" of the group or the butt end of a joke due to my joking personality.

It especially hurts when they won't take me seriously if I bring up something important or they will make fun of me or tease me for my shortcomings (some of which are personal.) Because of this, I tend to have a hard time trusting people who are really my "friends" whenever I get teased. The last friend group I was a part of was especially the worst when it came to teasing me.

6 years later of being alone and no friends, I'm currently hanging out with this new friend group in my university and of course they are teasing me about certain things and I still can't tell if they actually "like" me as a friend or if they're just keeping me around as the "jester" of the group just like all my other "friend" groups.

They told me that I am like a "baby brother" to them (their words, not mine) and I was told by some of them that they do like me. But I'm still having a hard time trusting what they say. It kinda feels like they're just tolerating me at this point.

[OoOoOoooOOoOoorgle]

This does happen.
Make different ones and see if they react well or poorly

[amaurawolf]

i'd say give it sometime. do you feel like theyre activly not including you? are they making plans without inviting you ? are they making fun of you ? do they say, "dont take it personally" or "im just joking". if they do any of these they prob dont want to hangout with you, but if not then youre just overthinking. but i hope you find friends that like u for u

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

I think it is better (and safer) being alone.

[Azami]

Originally posted by amaurawolf:

i'd say give it sometime. do you feel like theyre activly not including you? are they making plans without inviting you ? are they making fun of you ? do they say, "dont take it personally" or "im just joking". if they do any of these they prob dont want to hangout with you, but if not then youre just overthinking. but i hope you find friends that like u for u

there's this one person that is sort of the "big sister" or "organizer" of the group. she invited me and a bunch of other people at first as a study group and we just ended up hanging out. i don't believe they are actively not including me as some of the people in the group know each other more than others. just recently some of them had a girls night out. are they making fun of me? yes and the quotes you mentioned they dont say that.

[Shiro♌]

If you feel like having misunderstandings, talk to your friends about them. Yes, talk to the friends who do misunderstand you or with whom you're having this misunderstanding, or simply move on and ignore those ones.

It's your call, but I'd suggest asking them directly if you seek the answers, unless you're willing to provide some more context.

[Azami]

Originally posted by Wynters:

I think it is better (and safer) being alone.

I thought the same but... after being alone for 6 years. it takes a toll. sometimes you just need that social interaction. i try my best to find people that motivate me and at first i thought this friend group were my source of motivation but now... im not sure.

[Azami]

Originally posted by Shiro♌:

If you feel like having misunderstandings, talk to your friends about them. Yes, talk to the friends who do misunderstand you or with whom you're having this misunderstanding, or simply move on and ignore those ones.

It's your call, but I'd suggest asking them directly if you seek the answers, unless you're willing to provide some more context.

aw man.. yeah i have a hard time trying to communicate that. it's just that.. it's kinda awkward to talk about it. doesn't help that i happen to be awkward already. im also not really a direct person.

[amaurawolf]

Originally posted by Jericho:

Originally posted by amaurawolf:

i'd say give it sometime. do you feel like theyre activly not including you? are they making plans without inviting you ? are they making fun of you ? do they say, "dont take it personally" or "im just joking". if they do any of these they prob dont want to hangout with you, but if not then youre just overthinking. but i hope you find friends that like u for u

there's this one person that is sort of the "big sister" or "organizer" of the group. she invited me and a bunch of other people at first as a study group and we just ended up hanging out. i don't believe they are actively not including me as some of the people in the group know each other more than others. just recently some of them had a girls night out. are they making fun of me? yes and the quotes you mentioned they dont say that.

i dont think theyre making fun of you if theyre just having a girls night out. if you really do think they dont want you as friends then you should just ask them. not all of them but the one whom you trust. but dont isolate yourself, isolation sucks and everyone needs friends good luck :)

[Shiro♌]

Originally posted by Jericho:

Originally posted by Shiro♌:

If you feel like having misunderstandings, talk to your friends about them. Yes, talk to the friends who do misunderstand you or with whom you're having this misunderstanding, or simply move on and ignore those ones.

It's your call, but I'd suggest asking them directly if you seek the answers, unless you're willing to provide some more context.

aw man.. yeah i have a hard time trying to communicate that. it's just that.. it's kinda awkward to talk about it. doesn't help that i happen to be awkward already. im also not really a direct person.

I've been struggling with that too, but I'd say that the sooner you get that out of your way, the better you're gonna feel.
If there's something you don't wanna experience, it's to regret doing nothing. I mean, in the worst case scenario, you're not suited for each other and won't be friends.. But at least, you have done what you could've done and won't have to feel any regrets.. Right?

[Azami]

Originally posted by Shiro♌:

Originally posted by Jericho:

aw man.. yeah i have a hard time trying to communicate that. it's just that.. it's kinda awkward to talk about it. doesn't help that i happen to be awkward already. im also not really a direct person.

I've been struggling with that too, but I'd say that the sooner you get that out of your way, the better you're gonna feel.
If there's something you don't wanna experience, it's to regret doing nothing. I mean, in the worst case scenario, you're not suited for each other and won't be friends.. But at least, you have done what you could've done and won't have to feel any regrets.. Right?

Hmhmhmhmhm truee.

[Q-T_3.14.exe]

My friends kept in the group so they could bully me.
...
I left the group before high school ended in 2 months.

[Barney, from Black Mesa.]

Have some integrity for yourself and move on if you feel the relationship has been toxic.

[Azami]

Originally posted by Q-T_3.14.exe:

My friends kept in the group so they could bully me.
...
I left the group before high school ended in 2 months.

For me was junior year.

[Azami]

Originally posted by Chalupabaras:

Jesters have a historical reputation of being a "half-wit", someone who never takes anything seriously and allows themselves to be treated like a buffoon. They've traditionally been males, as was common for professional actors and entertainers, but the persona transcends gender. Their minds were as deep as their souls were kind. They noticed everything around them, even completely engrossed in whatever they were doing.

People would tell the jester what they couldn't tell anyone else, and sought the jester's advice for what they couldn't ask anyone else. Crushes, plans for the future, family troubles, personal concerns, they confided their darkest secrets to the one person they believed would never use against them... because who in their right mind would trust the word of a fool?

However, what historical accounts don't mention much about is that every monarch, ruler, dictator and tyrant feared the jester more than the deadliest assassin. Nobody messed with the one person who not only knew who their enemies were, but would happily provide useful information to those enemies for free.

Embrace your nature, OP, the jester is nobody's fool.

That's an interesting way to look at it.

[Psychlapse]

1 Do you enjoy hanging out with these people? If not, ditch them. You'll be happier without them.

2 If you do, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. "Listen guys, I don't appreciate when you say this thing or that thing."

If they start laughing or saying it more, then see rule 1.