We’ve all experienced thinking of the perfect response to a person, but the moment had already passed. It’s like that one Seinfeld episode when George Costanza had a clever comeback to an insult from a coworker, but it had already been hours later.
However, since many conversations now occur online through comment boxes and social media, timing is no longer a key factor. You can deliver the ultimate clapback days after, and it would still sting like vinegar on an open wound.
Here are just a few excellent examples. These responses were so well-crafted, you’d wish you had thought of them. It also proves that ordinary people on the internet can easily be top-notch comedy writers. Enjoy scrolling through!
#1 Or Just Very Friendly
#2 All My Life Consists Of Now
#3 Can Also Try Exploiting People
Crafting a quick-witted comeback isn’t solely about having a sharp, creative mind. Part of it is having excellent listening skills, according to comedian and artistic director Abigail Paul.
In an interview with the BBC, Paul shared an example wherein you’re dealing with a colleague who enjoys making snide remarks. In such situations, Paul advises training your brain to listen to their words, so you can eventually fire back the perfect retort.
#4 Cows Don’t K**l Sharks
#5 Well I Mean They’re Not Wrong
#6 An Amateur Pilot At Best
A knee-jerk reaction to an insult would be to issue a more scathing response. At that point, your emotions are more heated, as your goal becomes more about winning the argument at all costs.
However, stooping to the same level of disparagement can only turn the conversation toxic, which only makes the responding person look worse. According to business consultant Belina Raffy, who worked with a condescending manager, harsh, uncalled-for responses typically come from a palace of insecurity.
“(Negative responses) increase tension, make a person feel excluded or inferior, and as though they are not in the ‘in group’ which is in the know,” Raffy said in the same BBC interview.
#7 I Laugh But It Hurts
#8 When Rejection Is A Win
#9 Well, She Did Ask For Pictures
Delivering the perfect off-the-cuff response is also considered a career-building skill, according to executive speech coach Darlene Price. In an interview with Forbes, she explained that such a skill not only exudes confidence and credibility but also ensures that your ideas are heard and acted upon.
#10 Name This Plant
#11 Get On The Bus
#12 Yep, Can Only Be Eaten Once
So, how do you develop the muscle to deliver the perfect response when necessary? Price says it begins with a calm mind, free of negative self-talk that would slow down reaction times in the brain.
“Couple positive self-talk with some nice deep breaths, and before you know it, you’ve transformed stress and tension into a relaxed state of mind and body,” she said.
#13 Brilliance Meets Confusion
#14 No Lies Were Told
#15 It Hurts Thinking About It
Below-the-belt responses are typically blurted-out answers that the person likely didn’t think through. As a result, they may sound haphazard, flimsy, and weak. This is why Price suggests taking a two-second pause to organize your thoughts.
“Seize the moment, trust in your innate abilities, and take the time to deliver an intelligent reply,” she said, adding that silence is also an effective reply to communicate that you are “thoughtful, deliberate, and in charge of the situation.”
#16 Bit Weird To Be Asking For Such A Young Photographer
#17 Mind If I Comb Over?
#18 I Can’t Imagine It Tastes Very Good
#19 Wax vs. Parchment Paper
#20 So True
#21 Well Yes, But Actually Yes
#22 Definitely, He Will Not
#23 His Wife Commented On His Post
#24 Ludicrous Speed
#25 Whoops
#26 I Wonder What Do They Have In Common
#27 To Ask About Dirty Toilets
#28 Driving 101
#29 Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth
#30 My Wife Would Have Given The Ring Back If I Made Our Proposal Something Political
#31 I Don’t Think Three Fingers Are Too Much
#32 Every Woman Has Encountered This Man
#33 Car
#34 Ingredients And Prononciation
#35 Cursed Truth
#36 Look Up At The Sky, It’s Work Smarter-Not Harder Man
#37 They Never Said You Couldn’t Use Numbers
#38 At Least 2 Pairs Are Needed
#39 I Never Thought Of Earth That Way
#40 The Three Faces Of Truth
#41 And Likely Get Arrested For Indecent Exposure
#42 Gotta Love A Technicality
#43 Its Always The Instagram Comments
#44 An Interaction With My Mother
#45 The New Industry Standard: Normal Screen Size
#46 No Way He Guessed That
#47 Anything Below 20 Hz As Well
#48 All In The Cloud
#49 Worst Loaf Of Bread Ever Baked
#50 This Guy Has Good Flirting Skills
#51 It’s Not In The UK
#52 That’s The Way To Go
#53 Will You Marry Me?
#54 The War Of 1812
#55 Show Concrete Proof
#56 Not The Healthiest Breakfast
#57 Good Soldiers Follow Orders
#58 A Shape Consisting Of Infinite Points That Are At A Distance “R” From A Central Point
#59 He’s Out Of Line, But He’s Right
#60 The Rarest Steak In The World
#61 Pretty Sure Alligators Can Be Efficient
#62 After 9 Months, Yea
#63 What Is An It Girl?
#64 Keep Your Teeth Natural, Guys
#65 The Holy Roman Empire
#66 Dave Chapelle And Joe Rogan
#67 That’s One Harry Hand
#68 Not The Life You’d Want
#69 Germany Is Home To Many Things
#70 Can’t You Feel My Popcorn Crunch?
#71 Manual Breathing
#72 I Know His Coworkers Hate Him
#73 About Putting Toothpaste On A Floss Pick
#74 He Did Explain