Make a speaking mistake once, and everyone usually laughs it off.
Make mistakes twice, and people can still forgive.
Make mistakes three times, and everyone must carefully evaluate the person’s character.
I think that’s basic adult common sense. If someone perpetually misspeaks yet keeps claiming it was just joking, probably few should tolerate it.
This person might be your incompetent boss, your meddlesome relative, your annoying classmate, perhaps a friend you stopped seeing for making mistakes.
Or Ko Wen-je.
I know many people commit the sin of “they’re always at fault” protective mentality toward Ko. This explains why scam rings can’t disappear from Taiwan—people easily forgive (selectively ignore) favorites, which is Taiwan society’s biggest problem.