If your friend group runs on sarcasm, inside jokes, and the occasional roast that goes just to the edge — congratulations, you might be doing friendship right.

A recent study found that friends who roast each other in a playful, good-natured way are up to three times more honest and loyal than those who don’t. Rather than being rude or disrespectful, this kind of teasing often signals something much deeper: trust, emotional security, and genuine connection.

At its core, playful roasting isn’t about putting someone down — it’s about saying, “I know you well enough to joke like this.” It takes a level of mutual understanding to tease someone in a way that lands as funny, not offensive. And for the person being roasted, laughing along shows emotional confidence and a strong bond with the roaster. You’re not being attacked — you’re being included.

What’s even more interesting: teasing can act as a softer way of telling the truth. Maybe your friend makes fun of how long you take to reply to texts. Deep down, they probably do wish you’d answer faster — but instead of saying it bluntly, they wrap it in humor. This kind of joking allows friends to be real with each other without tension or awkwardness. It’s honesty disguised as laughter.

Of course, there’s a line. Teasing should feel mutual and never target insecurities. The goal is to make someone laugh — not feel small. A good roast should say, “I love you, but you’re also ridiculous,” not “I’m better than you.” When done with care, roasting becomes a kind of love language. When done wrong, it’s just bullying in disguise.

So the next time your best friend roasts your fashion choices or mocks your coffee order, take it as a weird kind of compliment. If everyone’s laughing and no one’s hurt, you’ve probably got a stronger bond than most — because the people who joke with you the most might just be the ones who’ve got your back the hardest.