I thought about this question for the good part of a day as it left me self-analyzing, do I or don’t I?
To the best of my knowledge, I do not. To do so would be inconsistent with my current base personality.
Close to twenty years ago I used to like telling jokes. I would always have one at the ready that I could deliver to suit the occasion. I told a couple jokes that weren’t appreciated and at the best were insensitive. When I heard the other person’s reasoning, I agreed. I haven’t told a joke since then. That doesn’t mean that humour isn’t a part of my everyday life, it is, but without jokes that are hurtful.
Within my weekly Toastmasters meeting we would tell our members to deliver a joke that wasn’t sexist, racist, dirty or discriminatory in any way. Despite our precautions, inappropriate so-called jokes, would slip through. I stopped delivering jokes years ago because I think far too many of them are hurtful.
An older neighbour of mine once said “Can you take a joke?” That seems to be a preamble to someone telling me something I don’t want to hear and it is usually offensive. This time it was. I believe that I ‘fake’ laughed at the time. In other circumstances I would have told the person that I found their humour to be offensive and not to tell me anymore. In this case, I had no relationship other than living near him, so fake laughing, with the hope that there wasn’t more coming, was my best option.
I believe that jokes may be falling out of favour, other than with stand-up comics. As I was writing this answer, my four-year old granddaughter got up to start her morning. She was carrying her pet stuffed monkey. I asked her do you know any good jokes. She replied “Yes, I do!” This surprized me somewhat. She then said ‘What do call a turkey on a trampoline?” Of course my reply was “I don’t know. What do you call a turkey on a trampoline?” Her reply was “a turkey tramp?”
Did I fake laugh? You bet! And you can be assured that I will be sharing the joke with my fellow grandparents at work.
Thanks for the question!
~~~
For further discussion of personal development tips, visit the Live For Excellence Book Store for the following publications:
Assert Yourself! Harnessing the Power of Assertiveness in Your Career
Blow Your Own Horn! Personal Branding for Business Professionals
Power Networking For Shy People: How to Network Like a Pro
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Working With Words: Adding Life to Your Oral Presentations
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Rae A. Stonehouse is an author, speaker, and self-publishing consultant dedicated to helping others embrace constant improvement and overcome challenges. With over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in psychiatry and mental health, Rae brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for self-development to his writing and presentations.
As a 25+ year member of Toastmasters International, Rae has systematically built his communication abilities and self-confidence to share his insights as an author and speaker. His self-help books and personal development presentations aim to have conversational one-on-one connections with readers and audiences.
Rae is known for his wry sense of humor and sage advice delivered in a relatable coaching style. After four decades as a nurse, Rae has rewired rather than retired, actively writing and pursuing public speaking. He strives to share lessons learned to help others achieve personal and professional growth.
To learn more about Rae and his approach to constant improvement, visit his website at Live For Excellence Productions or to learn more about his publications visit Live For Excellence Store
