For example, if you want to be known as kind and trustworthy, then making jokes at other people’s expense wouldn’t match that. If you want to be known as having cutting wit, then you might want to decide who does and doesn’t constitute an acceptable target. Recognize that people may appreciate jokes at the expense of cruel or evil people. For example, the satirical newspaper The Onion was praised by the public when it made jokes at the expense of the terrorists who carried out the 9/11 attacks. [1] X Research source
Sex Politics (including identity politics) Death People or animals being harmed (from mild injuries, to traumatic violence like rape) Stereotypes about a group of people Suggesting that people do something harmful Putting somebody down
Where are you? A group of divorced people might make an eager audience for your jokes about divorce. The guests at a wedding shower might find it a little inappropriate. How formal is the setting? Your buddies might laugh about sex jokes when you’re at the bar, but it definitely wouldn’t be appropriate at work. Are people trapped here? At a family reunion, people aren’t expected to leave until it’s over. Thus, if your jokes about racist people upset racist Uncle Bob, his disapproval might be an acceptable loss. . . but the conflict could also make the rest of your family very uncomfortable. Are you making fun of someone in the audience? For example, if you make a joke at the expense of gay people, your gay friend might come out to you in the most awkward and scathing way possible. Will the audience understand the joke? Young people might get confused by a complicated joke. Autistic people, and other literal thinkers, might think you’re being serious. Is it okay if this happens, and are you willing to explain it to them?
Even if a vulnerable person isn’t nearby, you’ll be shaping people’s opinions of those who are vulnerable. Or maybe a bully or aggressor will hear your joke. For example, if you make a rape joke, a rapist might hear you. Do you want a rapist laughing along, secretly considering you an ally?
Personal odor (Did you bathe in a swamp?) Comparisons to disgusting things (trash, slime, dirt) Animal comparisons (muddy pig, frog wart) Ignorance (He is about as well-informed as a man who sits in his house all day making fart noises. ) Rudeness or general terrible personality (You are the human equivalent of a mosquito. )
“I’m really sorry that I upset you. I didn’t think that it would hurt you, and I should have known better. I apologize. " “I’m sorry my race joke caused such an issue. My intent was to deconstruct white privilege, not to make things worse. Looking back, it was an ill-advised joke. I’m truly sorry. " “I’m sorry I made Grandpa angry with that ‘colonizer’ joke. I thought he’d take it in good spirits, and obviously I was wrong. It probably wasn’t the best thing to say at a family reunion. " “I should never have made fun of your speech disability. I realize it was incredibly hurtful and inappropriate I’m so, so sorry. I promise I’ll never do it again. "
