topic Practical jokes in Community Chat

Practical jokes

GoneButNotForgotten — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:07:30 GMT

Do you enjoy a good--and harmless--practical joke? I enjoy them tremendously.

The best one I ever played was on my husband and son. My husband was--allegedly--all grown up --and our son was about 14. They were almost but not quite the same size (dh was slightly larger) so for April Fool's day, I switched their underwear.

When they went to get dressed there was much puzzlement untill I 'fessed up, and then we all laughed a lot.

There was one joke that really back-fired on me--also an April Fool's joke. I called my nephew and said excitedly, "Phillip, Phillip, guess what???" "What is it?" he said. "I WON THE LOTTERY!" He said "really??"

And I said, "April Fool!"

And he hung up on me! :-)

One morning I was in the shower (as I recall now, these were all April Fool's jokes) my DH yanked open the shower door and took a photograph of me! When I finally stopped laughing (I literally doubled over), he confessed there was no film in the camera, only a flashbulb.

Anyone else care to contribute? I'd love to hear 'em!

Re: Practical jokes

zitawins — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:08:56 GMT

I dislike practical jokes immensely! I find nothing funny in any of the OP's stories. It's a juvenile "gotcha" that often backfires. I also think there's a mean spirited quality to any practical jokes.

As my late husband used to say, "kidding on the square." Not funny.

Re: Practical jokes

Krimpette — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:21:59 GMT

Not a fan. I think the only one who enjoys them is the one who is playing the joke. Not so much the person on the receiving end.

Re: Practical jokes

tends2dogs — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:24:03 GMT

I also hate practical jokes. I don't play them or receive them well. I don't know if I would call them juvenile, but it is just a different type of sense of humor. I don't have that type.

Re: Practical jokes

occasionalrain — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:42:28 GMT

Practical jokes are having fun at another's expense, using them for amusement.

They are unkind and mean spirited. Fortunately, I have no relationship with any practical jokers.

Re: Practical jokes

Sooner — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:43:56 GMT

I come from a long time of practical jokers on my dad's side. There are so many that go back a long long ways when people were poor and didn't have much entertainment!

Silly stuff, gags, etc. We would laugh so hard and tell the story and laugh some more until those folks of that generation passed away. How I do miss that.

I think if people can laugh at themselves, and laugh with their loved ones, that is a very special trait. Often the one "got" would laugh harder than anyone else.

But it was all in good fun, and a good time was had by all!

Re: Practical jokes

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:45:20 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
Practical jokes are having fun at another's expense, using them for amusement.
They are unkind and mean spirited. Fortunately, I have no relationship with any practical jokers.

You make a good point. This behavior speaks more about the 'joker' than the victim.

Re: Practical jokes

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:51:44 GMT

I'm not a fan of them at all.I think they are mean spirited & hurtful.I like to laugh too but never at another's expense.

Re: Practical jokes

CelticCrafter — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:56:04 GMT

Not a fan. I don't find them funny at all.

Re: Practical jokes

occasionalrain — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:02:09 GMT

The target of the joke laughs because otherwise he/she will be ridiculed and labeled a poor sport making it even worse.

Actually, it is bullying in the guise of good fun, just as hazing is bullying promoted as a rite of passage.

Re: Practical jokes

Caligurll — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:04:50 GMT

I was the youngest of four kids by several years growing up, and have an extremely low tolerance for practical jokes. My siblings loved to tease, fool, and lie to me to see how gullible I was and then laugh make fun of me. I would not want to do anything to another person to make them feel like I did. My example may be extreme, but being the object of the jokes and teasing left a lasting impression on me.

I love to laugh and joke and have fun, but not at the expense of another person.

Re: Practical jokes

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:22:22 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I come from a long time of practical jokers on my dad's side. There are so many that go back a long long ways when people were poor and didn't have much entertainment!

Silly stuff, gags, etc. We would laugh so hard and tell the story and laugh some more until those folks of that generation passed away. How I do miss that.

I think if people can laugh at themselves, and laugh with their loved ones, that is a very special trait. Often the one "got" would laugh harder than anyone else.

But it was all in good fun, and a good time was had by all!

People have lost the ability to laugh at themselves.

Re: Practical jokes

Sooner — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:28:53 GMT

@CrazyDaisy SO very true! People have lost the ability to laugh at themselves.

In my family, someone does something silly to you, you look silly and you think it's funny too! You admit you were "got." You admit you are one of the gang, no better than anyone else, and you can laugh at yourself.

That's why I miss my family so much. We loved one another and were secure enough in our love that we could have a good time without being afraid of real ridicule and mean things from our folks. It wasn't about mean and abusive and put-downs. It was having fun.

My ideal family is people who love you unconditionally like that. They would never in this world hurt you, and would never in this world have to prove they love you.

Re: Practical jokes

occasionalrain — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:39:15 GMT

I believe we all can and do laugh at ourselves when we unintentionally do silly or forgetful things.

The difference is in being deliberately set up by people we trust to look out for us, be on our side, protect us and our feelings.

Re: Practical jokes

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:45:22 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@CrazyDaisy SO very true! People have lost the ability to laugh at themselves.

In my family, someone does something silly to you, you look silly and you think it's funny too! You admit you were "got." You admit you are one of the gang, no better than anyone else, and you can laugh at yourself.

That's why I miss my family so much. We loved one another and were secure enough in our love that we could have a good time without being afraid of real ridicule and mean things from our folks. It wasn't about mean and abusive and put-downs. It was having fun.

My ideal family is people who love you unconditionally like that. They would never in this world hurt you, and would never in this world have to prove they love you.

Yep, you knew they cared about you when they went to all that trouble to think, plan and implement the pranks.

Re: Practical jokes

Caaareful Shopper — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:53:24 GMT

I laugh at myself quite frequently. There are quite a few fabled, hysterical stories in my family about unintentional pratfalls, getting locked out of homes wearing only pajamas, seams that split at formal occasions, etc. We bring them up at gatherings all the time -- keeps everyone in great spirits!

However, practical jokes are very different. No, in my opinion, those are meant to embarrass & set someone up, not "let's laugh at ourselves." I don't have one close family or friend that engages in practical jokes, not that I know of anyway.

Re: Practical jokes

Pook — Tue, 04 May 2021 18:17:50 GMT

Practical jokes are usually done to and by those that have a sense of humor and ability to laugh at themselves. Personally, my friends mostly fit that category. If you can't laugh at yourself - well life could be a bit boring! As long as the pranks are not harmful and like those @GoneButNotForgotten mentioned. Being around those with no sense of humor can get really boring!

Re: Practical jokes

suzyQ3 — Tue, 04 May 2021 18:28:03 GMT

It would depend upon the practical joke. The closest I've come is maybe a silly April Fool's remark. In general, I find them either embarrassing or juvenile, often both.

Re: Practical jokes

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Tue, 04 May 2021 18:55:17 GMT

I am the first person to laugh at myself, however, I am not a fan of most practial jokes.

My uncle worked with a habitual practical joker. His wife hated it and decided to give me a dose of his own medicine.

Halloween night he was asleep on the couch. She waited until trick or treaters were done. She stripped, put on a mask and coat, out the back door. Rang the front doorbell. When her husband answered, she yelled trick or treat while opening the coat.

He was so startled he jumped back, lost his balance, fell and broke his leg.

Re: Practical jokes

Deree — Tue, 04 May 2021 18:59:38 GMT

@Caaareful Shopper wrote:
I laugh at myself quite frequently. There are quite a few fabled, hysterical stories in my family about unintentional pratfalls, getting locked out of homes wearing only pajamas, seams that split at formal occasions, etc. We bring them up at gatherings all the time -- keeps everyone in great spirits!

However, practical jokes are very different. No, in my opinion, those are meant to embarrass & set someone up, not "let's laugh at ourselves." I don't have one close family or friend that engages in practical jokes, not that I know of anyway.

^^THIS^^

I also laugh at myself, self-deprecate, use myself as an object of humor, but setting someone up without their knowledge is way different. It can be extremely hurtful to someone. If anyone tries to set me up for a practical joke... they will hear about it.