Comments on: Humor Skills — What People Find Offensive

By: Mean-spirited humor isn’t funny. « Brighter Days for you and me!

Mean-spirited humor isn’t funny. « Brighter Days for you and me! — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 14:14:46 +0000

[...] When used in moderation, this humor is funny, effective and insightful. When overused, it leads to lack of imagination, dull, repetitive insults, and even offensive personal attacks. With all the stupid, hurtful things people say in anger, this type of humor may add more fuel to the fire. I think it’s perfectly fine to use in a comedy club, but should we repeat these jokes elsewhere? Here is a very interesting article from John Kinde: Humor Skills - What people find offensive. [...]

By: John Kinde

John Kinde — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:03:12 +0000

Thanks Susan. I’ll write a post on How Do You Respond to Offensive Humor.
http://www.humorpower.com/blog/2007/07/responding-to-offensive-humor

By: susan schubert

susan schubert — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:29:25 +0000

the advice seems quite sound. What should people do when someone tells a joke that is offensive to the listener? Do we have a right and/ or responsibility to respond to racist jokes? If so, what should/ can we say without seeming prudish or too “politically correct.” Would love to have a variety of suggestions.

By: Daryl Howard

Daryl Howard — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 18:38:24 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments concerning the proper use of humor, and the need to be aware of offending someone needlessly. My experience has taught me that people are really more offended by ignorance than by the comment itself. In other words, a person is more likely to take offense at a comment if he/she feels that the person making the comment or joke did so without attempting to understand why certain people believe or act in a certain way. So, my advice, as always, is: get to know your subject matter thoroughly before you open your mouth with an opinion.

By: John Kinde

John Kinde — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 23:04:57 +0000

Yes, I’m interested in promoting good relationships and the psychology that goes along with the humor. Humor helps us too understand what makes us tick (and others too). At the core of good relationships is an understanding of perspective and outlook on life. A sense of humor is not “telling jokes” … but rather a way of looking at life. And a healthy sense of humor has, at it’s core, a positive view of daily happenings.

By: Toni Nelson

Toni Nelson — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 22:27:09 +0000

John
Your site does much more than promote the use of humor - improving human relations seems to be right up there in importance. THANK YOU

By: Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 18:08:37 +0000

Thanks for the practical advice John, especially the “human factor” considerations. I found them helpful.
Tom

By: Dick Brandt

Dick Brandt — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 05:02:04 +0000

To me, this article is well written. I can relate to:
1. If you hate something, it’s hard to be funny about it. To be human and humorous one has to bring “light” not just more heat and heaviness.
2. Some will be offended. Know that you have tried to minimize co lateral damage.
3. Assume stupidity (or acutually temporary craziness) rather than malace.
4. And as John says so well: “…you haven’t lived someone else’s life. You see things only through your own filters. Step into (different) shoes. Be sensitive. Build links, relationships and bonds. Use humor to grow our collective family and not tear it down. Let your positive humor shed light.”
Note: My comments were long, but John’s words were too good to exclude………