Jokes at the expense of others

[Ezra]

Inspired by PotatoSpirit's thread.

Name your type, and whether or not you can stand or enjoy these kind of jokes.

In essence, I want to know which types are more susceptible to the it's-funny-when-it's-not-happening-to-me syndrome.

[xyz]

I enjoy them on occassion. Not my main form of laughs though.

[Slacker]

I hate them and would intervene if I could.

[Joy]

I voted "I would actively intervene/stop them from taking place". I assume that "at the expense of" means that they are in some way harmed by the joke and don't think it's funny.

However, "harmed" goes beyond just having hurt feelings. Sometimes people are too sensitive about shit and need to be shown that.

[jessica129]

Neutral. I just ignore it.

[Expat]

I hate them and would intervene if I could.

Same. Also as per Joy's first sentence.

I dislike jokes that are supposed to be "funny" by putting someone else in an embarrassing/unpleasant/ridiculous situation, especially those where the victim does not know that it's a joke - like hiding someone's objects (a key, wallet, etc) to make the person think they're lost, while everyone else silently enjoys the victim's increasing frenzy looking for them. I have seen grown "professional" men doing this to a colleague while on a business trip.

[Gilly]

Depends entirely on the situation. Sometimes it's definitely funny, but sometimes it needs to be stopped fast.

[Joy]

If the point of the joke is to just have a laugh at another's misfortune, I hate it (especially if the misfortune was created for the sake of the joke).

If it's the person doesn't know that they're being made fun of, it depends on the situation. I don't have much sympathy for celebrities, for example. However, I'd rather just criticize them than make fun of them. lol

If the point of the joke is to get to someone so they understand that they're taking themselves to seriously or that it's not the end of the world or that there is something they can do about it or whatever, I support it, even if it hurts that person's feelings (sometimes people need to hurt in order to get past something).

If it's a two way thing... both people behaving in that manner... I don't generally feel the need to intervene, but I also generally don't find it funny (unless I'm involved or have had problems with one or both of the people, but generally I take a "two wrongs don't make a right" sort of approach to this type of situation). If both people are enjoying it on some level, then it's not really "at the expense of another". If both people are getting hurt, I may try to point out that it's not in their best interests to continue.

[FDG]

They are my favorite, especially if the bersail is crippled or handicapped

[Hitta]

there is no such thing as a joke that isn't at the expense of someone else; thats what a joke is, its always at the expense of someone else.

[aka-kitsune]

I enjoy good-naturedly poking at friends (usually a sign of comfort level that I'll make the pointed snarky comment). But generally, I'm uncomfortable with hurting others in any significant way. Most often, I go by the rule of "do unto others". If I think I'd be hurt by something, I try not to say or do it to someone else.

Things like "Fear Factor" and most other so-called "reality TV" shows that are driven by people pitted against others to see who can debase themselves more spectacularly I find rather repulsive. Desperate competitions for some kind of social validation.

Ugh.

[Rubicon]

I wanted to pick two options, but it wouldn't let me. "I think they're unfair/discrimatory" and "I enjoy them on occasion".

[schrödinger's cat]

We probably all dislike jokes at someone's expense if it hurts them. The problem is, it's us deciding whether the other person is "hurt" or just getting their panties in a bunch. This must lead to errors of judgment. Same thing with talking about jokes at other people's expense "unless they're fair game". Who's "fair game" and who isn't? In chemistry I used to sit next to a guy who made leper jokes. Seriously. Jokes about leprosy. I reminded him that there was a fully functioning bunsen burner right next to me and that I was certainly going to use it, and he switched to telling me about the kind of hangover you get from drinking too much Lambrusco.

What about comedies where someone's being badly humiliated or embarassed and you're supposed to laugh at it? Like "Fawlty Towers", "Never Been Kissed", "The Family Stone". Perhaps that would make a good litmus test? Love/hate?

[olduser]

i like good jokes at other people's expense, well thought out ones. Like in the Woody Allen movie Sleeper in which woody allen's character is a man from the 70s who is woken up some 200+ years in the future. The people of the future have collected a few historical documents from his time period and they ask him to describe richard nixon.

Scientist: We understand this fellow wasan important man but not well-liked and definitely not to be trusted.

Woody Allen: Hmm. oh yes. they always had to count the silverware whenever he left the whitehouse.

really tasteless jokes about people in wheelchairs or with serious disabilities sort of bother me. I'd much rather stab someone's someones character with a sharp knife than make fun of someone who cannot help themselves. such charming company, we all must be.

[Mea]

Fucked up. I don't find it funny at all.

If someone does it to someone whom I care about... I'd definitely intervene.

I believe this poll is a joke. I can't imagine anyone at all who finds this amusing.

[Minde]

I don't like them. Even when it's meant to "teach them a lesson." I only tolerate it when the person getting laughed at went into the situation with a good idea of what to expect. I'll intervene depending on how much I think I can accomplish and how well I think the person is capable of handling it. As for the perpetrators, they immediately lose a good deal of my respect and liking.

[anndelise]

I admit, some of the candy-camera type things I find funny. Mostly I'm looking at the people's reactions..are they taking this at face value, do they sense that something is off about the whole situation, do they think the actor is crazy and how do they respond to 'people' they think are crazy (or such). These kinds of shows (when I do watch them, which is rare anyways) help show various reactions people can have to a situation... it's a chance to study people.

However, even with these kinds of things there is a limit to what I find acceptable (to me) or not. If this kind of joke could actually harm another person or even just make them uncomfortable, physically, emotionally, relationship-wise, other... then I don't find it amusing...more of a shock-and-anger kind of feeling.

[FDG]

Am I the only one that enjoys making handicapped and/or old people fall down from a bridge while still keeping them alive a bit so that they are in pain?

[XoX]

Am I the only one that enjoys making handicapped and/or old people fall down from a bridge while still keeping them alive a bit so that they are in pain?

No, I've seen it being a popular hobby among many ESTps.

[Jarno]

Probably ISFP and ESFJ would say: never bored of them.

They make these jokes all the time.

I'll say neutral, it really depends how it hurts others.

[theMime.]

Probably ISFP and ESFJ would say: never bored of them.

They make these jokes all the time.

I'll say neutral, it really depends how it hurts others.

What?
I HATE hurting people's feelings and would never do it intentionally (unless for what ever reason it was necessary which would be a rare occasion I think)
I usually never make jokes like this.
I only do it once in a while with people I'm close to and it's understood that we don't really mean anything by it and we're just joking. Me and my brother actually like to make fun of each other sometimes and it's usually hilarious but we know that neither of us is really serious and it's just for laughs.

[mustachio]

it's funny as long as it isn't meant in a cruel sadistic way. but i agree with Herzy that it's freakin' human nature. how do you think tabloids get sold? you won't get a fair sample here Ezra. most people will never admit that they might find this kind of thing hilarious. even when it's meant without harm.

[xyz]

You all are prudes.

[Minde]

it's funny as long as it isn't meant in a cruel sadistic way. but i agree with Herzy that it's freakin' human nature. how do you think tabloids get sold? you won't get a fair sample here Ezra. most people will never admit that they might find this kind of thing hilarious. even when it's meant without harm.

Considering the forum we're in, you might keep in mind that whatever your anecdotal experiences are and have been, there is still a possibility that while it may be a part of some or even most humans' nature, it may not be a part of all.

...

I should qualify my previous post, though, by saying that when I was younger, I did enjoy feeding our boxer peanut butter on occasion.

[Joy]

Dogs friggin LOVE peanut butter.

(Haha when I was a kid I used to short sheet people's beds, put plastic wrap over the toilet, tie people's shoe laces together, etc. My parents were pretty good sports, but I learned never to fuck with my dad's coffee. )

[Ms. Kensington]

Never like, always very much dislike those that are made to make fun of the PERSON. If it's a joke like someone pops out from the closet with a mask on and the person jumps a foot in the air, I laugh. But if it seriously frightens them then I would feel bad.. etc

[mustachio]

it's funny as long as it isn't meant in a cruel sadistic way. but i agree with Herzy that it's freakin' human nature. how do you think tabloids get sold? you won't get a fair sample here Ezra. most people will never admit that they might find this kind of thing hilarious. even when it's meant without harm.

Considering the forum we're in, you might keep in mind that whatever your anecdotal experiences are and have been, there is still a possibility that while it may be a part of some or even most humans' nature, it may not be a part of all.

...

I should qualify my previous post, though, by saying that when I was younger, I did enjoy feeding our boxer peanut butter on occasion.

unfortunately, i do doubt that most people wouldn't laugh at others' expense. certainly, there must be a fraction of people who don't sneer (as is the case here) but chances are they represent a considerable minority. still, i wasn't pointing the finger at anyone in particular. i have never met any of you and probably never will. then again, it is my assumption that most people do not know themselves very well until they are faced with extraordinary adversity. and being naturally sceptic, i can only take what people here say at face value.

[MysticSonic]

What do you mean by "at another person's expense?" Do you think a person can make fun of someone else and it not by at their expense?

[cracka]

ESFJ would say: never bored of them.

[Minde]

Dogs friggin LOVE peanut butter.

That's why I didn't feel too bad about it.

It's not as fun anymore now that I've got a dog with a normal mouth, though.

[Creepy-bg]

if it's light teasing like, and I'm sure the person knows I'm teasing, and it's too them... not a group of other people. Yes, I do it alot. I'd never do it in a way that's hurtful though, I'm very careful about that. I don't like making people feel stupid, inept, or like they stand out in a bad way to others. When that happens I feel the persons pain as much as they do. Because of that I don't like physical practical jokes like from that other thread, or giving someone a flat tire shoe or any of that that junk.

[aestrivex]

it depends on the nature of the joke, i suppose.

[PotatoSpirit]

I voted never bored of them. Assuming the target either goes along or isn't too offended.
I also often try to stop them if said assumption is false.

I know people with real will laugh at me now, but I usually enjoy it when I'm the target too.

[Joy]

Dogs friggin LOVE peanut butter.

(Haha when I was a kid I used to short sheet people's beds, put plastic wrap over the toilet, tie people's shoe laces together, etc. My parents were pretty good sports, but I learned never to fuck with my dad's coffee. )

You are Naruto.

I was just bored, I think. Homeschooling does that to a kid.

[ScarlettLux]

Who the hell enjoys jokes that would SERIOUSLY cause pain to someone, emotionally/mentally/physically? This is not correlated to Socionics type in anyway, I think it's more correlated to being an asshole.

[Creepy-bg]

Who the hell enjoys jokes that would SERIOUSLY cause pain to someone, emotionally/mentally/physically? This is not correlated to Socionics type in anyway, I think it's more correlated to being an asshole.

++

[Mediator Kam]

I hate practical jokes, it might be fun for the first couple seconds, but then I would feel like shit for the rest of the day cuz I just embarrased someone bad.

If we're great friends and they forgive me, then it's all good.

[FlameReborn]

Neutral. I tend to watch from a distance. if the target can stand on his own, I will most likely either just keep silent or toss in the proverbial match, smile as all goes boom. If i see that the target cannot bear it, unless it is one of my favored few,, i might make a dry comment, cripple the joker's complacency somewhat. If it is a situation that makes me angry, i will attack whatever I see as the source of the matter. It is not really emotions i am affected by -- at leaast I think not -- it is the measure of balance, of two forces aligned against each other. I will act according too my assessment.

ILI

[cracka]

I've never been the type to do practical jokes, when done to me I tend to get pissed off more than cheerful.
I know the limits of my humor quite well and tend to stay on the funny side rather than even getting close to the awkward side when making a joke about someone else. This keeps me from sticking my foot in my mouth and keeps me from having enemies over something I said. I tend to use very heavy sarcasm in most situations where someone else will be laughing their ass off while another person is just having a regular conversation with me. When this conversation actually flows well it's a spectacle to watch. I absolutely love doing this with kids because you can say soooo much that goes over their head with a different meaning while anyone else in the room is going hysterical.
I remember once I was visiting a buddy of mine and his kids were sitting there watching tv with me. My friends 6 year old said something and I answered his question with some sarcasm, then he asked a few more questions and I answered the same way... after this 10 minute conversation was over his 15 year old sister told me how amazing it was because the kid never caught on to anything I was saying with sarcasm. By the end of that little time, he had whatever info he asked me about and was smiling and his sister was about to die laughing. Everyone was happy and nobody's feelings were hurt in any way. <-This is my type of humor.

[implied]

not a fan at all.