What's the difference between bullying and teasing?

The difference between bullying and teasing is a thin line in the sand. In my own experiences, I've found it never really matters what the intent of the person doing the bullying/teasing is, it depends on how the person on the other end feels. If the topic of the conversation is hurtful for them, the person being bullied/teased will feel personally attacked and threatened. To bully is to harm, intimidate, or coerce. To tease is to intended to provoke or make fun of someone in a playful way. The difference lies within how the receiver interprets the message of the sender. I know words can be very painful, so I always choose to be careful with what I say.

Bullying is teasing gone too far. It's rooted in hate or spite, sometimes even in fear. I've been bullied before, and the pain stays with you for years. I've been hit with metal thermoses, had my locker trashed, been called slurs, and mocked to no end over who I am and how I cope with my disabilities. "Teasing", while it can be hurtful, it's usually not with malicious intent behind it. Schools will preach anti bullying, and do nothing about it. Teasing is often more noticed than bullying. Neither of them are pleasant to experience in the end.

Things that are considered as teasing is only if the person receiving it finds it funny and that they themselves know that it's a joke and they are comfortable and okay with being teased. Bullying is when the person receiving it starts to feel annoyed and hurt. When words and actions start to hurt the person physically, psychologically and emotionally. When the person doesn't think that it is a joke and starts asking people to stop, that is bullying. Bullying hurts more so than teasing because it's not funny. Bullying can cause the person to suffer from traumas, panic attacks and social anxiety. Bullying is never right.

Teasing happens between friends. It is just a form of trying to joke to make our circle of friends happy but if the teasing gets out of hand that is the time it turns to bullying. Bullying is a serious topic that everyone must be aware of. You should take note that if someone’s trying to make fun of your physical appearance, by the way you dress, your hairstyle or etc that is bullying already. No one deserves to be bullied, we have differences that make us special and unique. We should all learn to embrace diversity. If you feel you’re being bullied, immediately report it to a superior or to anyone in your family. Your feelings are valid. No need to be afraid, because we all deserve peace of mind.

Bullying is intentionally hurting someone either because a person needs attention or power over another individual. Teasing can be provoking someone without the intention of hurting them, however, might end up affecting the person without their knowledge. Bullying and teasing can be avoided so a person wouldn't feel down or bad. They aren't positive interactions required for societal groups. The best practice is to keep bullying and teasing at a bare minimum and should not be encouraged. A strong discouragement and standing up for someone else is important to reduce the number of people affected by bullying and teasing.

Personally speaking, bullying comes at the expense of the person being targeted. The recipient may feel humiliated, ashamed, and hurt by the comments made by the bully. There is usually a violation of trust that comes with it, as the information that the bully shares or the acts that the bully does tends to be more public and in front of people that the bullied person is not quite comfortable with. Teasing on the other hand, represents a more lighthearted tone where the subject broached is something that is at most embarrassing. The best signs of teasing would be the recipient winds up being red but still smiling in the end. There may be embarrassment that accompanies teasing but they ultimately feel comfortable and still safe.

Teasing is invited and fun for both people involved. Teasing can become bullying when the teaser is asked to stop and continues the behavior. When the behavior continues with the knowledge that the one being teased is offended or disliking the behavior the other person is trying to cause pain. This can erode relationships because one person enjoys hurting the other. The person being bullied does not feel seen or heard when they communicate that the bully has gone too far. We can practice admitting fault and changing our behavior when we have overstepped a boundary. Mistakes are ok. It is what we learn and showing that the other person is valued that matters. This way we can hold on to the people that mean so much to us without causing pain.

I feel like there is a very fine line when it comes to bullying and teasing. Teasing is totally understandable between close friends but if your teasing someone that you hardly know that can definitely be considered bullying. It also depends how sensitive that person is and how it makes them feel. Can they have a good laugh and shake it off or will this affect how they act around you in the future? Anyway, that is my opinion on the difference between bullying and teasing but I also grew up in a very supportive environment where bullying was shut down quickly so it's totally understandable if this definition doesn't apply to you. :)

Sometimes that's hard to decipher. Separating "my" response from "their" actions is a start that I used the last time I felt being bullied. I was at church at a small group meeting. There were maybe 50 people in the room. One member said out loud to the crowd: "hey, I never realized how short he is (pointing to me). When you're sitting down you look normal. When you stand up, you're don't." I looked around and realized he was talking to me. I wasn't able to determine if that was teasing or bullying but I was angered. I took a deep breath, smiled, and walked out for a change of scenery. That was a friend who said it. There were many there who I didn't know well. They all chuckled and smiled. Hmmm.. Later I but decided it really didn't matter to me if it was in fun or was malicious. I worked through my reactions to it and sought support from family. It's true, I'm about 4 inches shorter than most, my sister was taller than me, and that as a grandfather, I have had plenty of time to get over it. However, I'm still waiting for that last growth spurt. My young son is taller than I am. I'm happy that he will never be teased for that- he's nearly 6 ft tall. Surely, the bullies will attempt to find something else. But my son is emotionally well-prepared.

It is all about intention. Teasing can very well turn into bullying if it is done with the intention to hurt someone else. Bullying is the act of willingly hurting another person through actions or words with vindictive intention. Teasing can also be seen as something less negative when it is banter between friends. But, there’s a fine line to walk because you always have to consider the other person’s feelings. Sometimes verbal teasing doesn’t seem mean or hurtful when the receiving person may very well be hurt. Bullying is never okay and teasing someone in a way that makes them feel bad about themselves is unacceptable.