A Bit of Banter

Thanks to Lee Smith for offering this reflective piece written to stimulate our thinking about banter.


If “Banter” was a bloke, would you like him?


“Ey up, Banter, where have you been?” says Micky Take.


Banter replies with a jolly “morning everyone!”



“It was when we got up” Wise Crack gets in quickly.


Who is Banter, how can you say whether you like him or not. Is he the quick witted person that has the humorous quip to every occasion? We all like him, the Captain Blackadder type character who has the ability to say what we all would like to say, in the manner we would like to say it, just at the right time. All the characters gleefully play their roles leaving the setting perfect for the killer punch line.


Just like life at times, you can’t help yourself. I was ever so pleased with myself when a work colleague told us all about his “lazy eye” with perfect timing I quipped, “It’s not your eye that’s lazy, it’s the rest of you.” You had to be there.


Or, is Banter the guy at work that always greets you with the same old tiresome insult? Some comment that could be construed as a greeting that, even though it is not the case, only years of close friendship could allow to be ignored. But you do. You roll your eyes, call him a name as you pass by then forget it.


Is Banter the one who hunts for victims, you dare not catch his attention or it will be you to face the humiliation of his so called wit. Like the playground bully he singles you out and everyone laughs. It’s only a joke!


If banter is me, I am sure everyone knows my quips are well meant, something to lighten the moment. No offence. After all, when my character was built, things were much worse. I have been through that passage of rites and now it’s only fair, I have earned the privilege.


And if Banter is you, would we all like you? Do you care?


Should we get rid of Banter? Kill him? Or should we treat him like we would all like to be treated. Tolerate his brash clumsiness, recognise his insecurities and weaknesses. See the good things he offers. But we should always, let him know when he has stepped over the mark.



Lee Smith, Station Manager, Craven District,
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service