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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Ben Bryant

Cruel comments are the default mode of masculine friendship – why is this?

The masculine urge to roast your friends is a force that rarely receives attention – but harsh banter requires skill for knowing when to draw the line - (Getty/iStock)

It is 8am on a Wednesday. I unlock my phone and launch my opening salvo.

“You have sad eyes like Maggie Gyllenhaal and your arms are steaming, tumescent hams.”

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