If you tell someone they smell like a toilet but you smile before and laugh after, or sort of squint and say it playfully, it might be a joke and not mean.
"You had to be there" and all that. Worth saying, and also my first thought while reading the book reviews... But on reflection: I've heard worse from my (electrical engineer) father (not delivered very nicely); and given all Steve's other less-than-charming traits, it seems unlikely he found a way to spare her feelings while delivering the news.
Although what you say might be true, this is exactly the kind of "joke" that comes easily and frequently from those who really are cruel from what I've seen.
Comments
For some of this tone and context matter.
If you tell someone they smell like a toilet but you smile before and laugh after, or sort of squint and say it playfully, it might be a joke and not mean.
This is doubly true of a family member.
"You had to be there" and all that. Worth saying, and also my first thought while reading the book reviews... But on reflection: I've heard worse from my (electrical engineer) father (not delivered very nicely); and given all Steve's other less-than-charming traits, it seems unlikely he found a way to spare her feelings while delivering the news.
Although what you say might be true, this is exactly the kind of "joke" that comes easily and frequently from those who really are cruel from what I've seen.
well you sound like a toilet, haha!