Community Chat

[GoneButNotForgotten]

Sometimes they're funny, and sometimes they aren't.

When I was engaged to my husband, my he took me to introduce me to my soon-to-be in-laws, and his dad played a gentle, kindly practical joke on me. I've always thought that was his was of "testing" me, so he could get a good idea of what kind of person I was.

I probably passed the test because I almost fell off my chair laughing. 

My DH and I are practical jokers but only to each other and never mean.

[Jk9]

I hate them.

[Carmie]

If they are mean spirited, they are not fun.

When I was working, one of my good friends had a 50th birthday.

I stayed after work and blew up 50 large balloons by myself and filled up her cubicle with them.  I closed off the entryway with poster paper that read "Happy Birthday, Joanne"

When she removed the poster paper to get to her desk, she was met with an avalanche of balloons.  She was surprised and we all had a blast clearing out her cubicle so she could work.

She still remembers and we laugh about it.  No harm done.

[LavernLuvsShoes]

If both parties enjoy the prank, then it's fun, harmless and cute...

However, I've seen people take them waaay too far, and the "target" ends up humiliated, scared, upset or hurt.

Also, some people don't know when to stop - They always have to get the last word (so to speak) - If the "target" says "Enough!" then it should end then and there.

So, I guess (for the most part), practical jokes can be good or bad, but it's probably best to err on the side of caution.

[happilyretiredgirl]

@CalminHeart  Your post just put tears in my eyes. My thoughts are with you and I understand how you are feeling, I held my brother's hand until he took his last breath five years ago. But I still have the best memories that puts a smile on my face. God bless you.

[occasionalrain]

An example of not taking oneself seriously is the thread about miss-reading. It's using themself for humor, not setting up an unsuspecting other person for a laugh.

[qbetzforreal]

I do not care for them.

[781Florist]

I'm sure you know that he felt the same way about you.

I have many wonderful sisters, and one in particular that 

I thank God for every night.

Your touching post put a lump in my throat.  I hope that 

the memories you have of him will help to gladden and heal your sorrowful heart.

Oh, and BTW.....I don't mind practical jokes as long as they aren't mean spirited.

[Carolina925]

While I consider myself as having a good sense of humor, I'm not a big fan of jokesters. My ex used to think it was so funny to scare me. He would go outside at night and jump at me through the windows or pull any sort of trick that would scare me, mainly rushing into a room I was in when I thought I was alone in the house. He even would tell me he was going out of town and coming in during the night when I was asleep and scare me. I've been divorced for over 30 years and still jump when something unexpected happens. I had a coworker who liked to scare me like this, as well, and he never stopped even when I explained to him why I was skittish. Not a fan.