Dating a partner who can make you laugh is a wonderful experience to have.

But you shouldn’t be dating a partner who makes the bulk of their jokes at your expense.

It’s not exactly funny when you’re made to be the butt of every joke that comes out of their mouth.

Their sense of humor might be filled with sarcasm and personal anecdotes, but dragging you down along the way is unacceptable.

Dealing with a partner whose jokes are cruel

Not totally loving it when your partner makes you the butt of every joke doesn’t mean you don’t have a good enough sense of humor.

When your partner’s jokes are constant, cruel, and always aimed at you, then you have every right to feel upset about your circumstances.

Flip the script for a moment. How often do you make mean jokes about your partner? If the playing field is level and even, this probably isn’t a huge issue.

But if you aren’t dishing it back out, you shouldn’t have a target on your back from your partner all the time.

Very Well Mind says the act of playful teasing within a relationship should stay on a more positive and lighthearted side.

When the jokes feel malicious or you start feeling like you’re being attacked by their words, your partner is taking it too far.

Set some strong boundaries with your partner about the type of jokes they make. Be honest about how their jokes make you feel. Explain the difference between innocent jokes and verbal abuse so they understand the gravity of their actions.

A partner who genuinely loves you will make the necessary changes to protect your feelings moving forward.

A partner who couldn’t care less about your peace of mind will continue with the brutal jokes – and potentially even use your vulnerability against you.

It’s up to you to decide how you want to proceed in your relationship based on how they respond to the boundaries you set.