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04-13-2024 08:14 AM
@CalminHeart wrote:
There are 2 kinds of practical jokes - mean/cruel and light-hearted/funny.
One of my brothers was the king of practical jokes. They were always fun and light. He never did anything mean or cruel. I was very often the but* of the jokes because we were so close. He even made me a book of all the jokes he played on me.
The 1st anniversary of his death is coming up in a few days. I held him until his heart stopped beating. He was only 60. I miss him so much that it physically hurts.
I'm so sorry @CalminHeart . It sounds like you had an amazing, wonderful brother with a great joy for living, and a big heart for the people in his life.
My DH occasionally plays gentle pranks on a young-guy pal, kind of like the old dog teasing the young pup. Never mean-spirited.
Pranks are sometimes an integral part of some close sibling and sibling-like relationships. Bonding over laughter. Can be hard for outsiders to understand.
It's important to laugh.
I'm so sorry about the loss of your brother.
04-13-2024 08:33 AM
My family was a fun bunch, warm and loving and easy laughter was the rule.
The few people I am obligated to be aware of now for the most part are offended before you have a chance to offend 'em. Tiresome and stressful to deal with, to say the least, who always think the worst of someone.
I miss the easy warmth so much--still have it in my life in my husband thank goodness.
04-13-2024 09:08 AM
I think they are passive aggresive.
04-13-2024 11:29 AM
Early on I learned that it's ok to be the butt of a joke, it's ok to be laughed at--doesn't mean the end of the world. It means you gotta get back in the frey and move on.
I'd be on welfare if I hadn't learned that. At work? First time I got insulted, shown to be wrong, someone came after me. . . I might have sulled up, cried and gone home.
04-13-2024 12:06 PM
It's having fun at another's expense. It's unkind to use someone, without their consent, to show off.
The victim is required to laugh or be labeled a poor sport.
I'm fortunate to have had a family that would not have tolerated practical jokers.
04-13-2024 12:12 PM - edited 04-13-2024 12:15 PM
Where I worked, practical jokes were a part of life. Kept things from getting to you!! If you can't laugh at yourself with others then good luck with life!!!
Also practical jokes are mostly fun with family or friends and not mean spirited like those who post nasty posts about the hosts!!!! Now that is never welcome as mostly just the haters!!
04-13-2024 12:15 PM - edited 04-13-2024 12:31 PM
I think there is a difference between practical jokes and joking around.
Most of my family and friends laugh a lot.
My kids are some of the funniest people I know. They do tease me and I laugh. I know they do it lovingly and also I know it's true what they say about my idiosyncracies.They are also great imitators of anyone you can name. They all have a very dry sense of humor. So did my mother, father and aunts. Even my grandkids, we will laugh til we cry. Things can just be super funny.
For families and friends that enjoy practical jokes, that may be how they roll and if they all enjoy it, that's great.
I just never have personally seen any that were fun or funny to others.
Doesn't mean you can't laugh at yourself.
04-13-2024 12:41 PM
04-13-2024 12:55 PM
No. They aren't funny to the person they're directed at.
04-13-2024 01:38 PM - edited 04-13-2024 01:39 PM
I hate practcal jokes. Laughing with others at yourself because you said or did something a bit silly or stupid is fine in the spur of the moment, but when it's orchestrated by others on purpose, it's just plain mean. Why do we need to target and make fun of others to laugh?
I read an article last year about parents who play practical jokes on their children and post them on social media for "likes". One couple told their son they ate all his Halloween candy. Another pranked their kids saying Santa skipped over their house. In both cases the children were visibly upset & crying while the parents tried to suppress their laughter. That's just plain mean IMO.
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