I categorize jokes into 2 different groups:
- Plain jokes (lame jokes, harmless jokes)
- Bad jokes (jokes that show racism, flaming people, mocking people)
Nevertheless, jokes are inevitably part of our lives.
They serve important purposes, like providing comic relief in certain tense situations.
BUT
Jokes gone overboard are a different matter altogether.
Plain jokes can lighten the mood of people around you, create topics for discussion or just to increase morale.
On the other hand, bad jokes not only show one's insensitivity, but also causes hurt and discomfort in certain groups of people.
This topic may seem like a very shallow topic, but through this few years in secondary school, I find myself seeing more of such bad jokes, some of which go completely overboard, resulting in angry teachers, angry students and angry birds.
I admit that I too, tell bad jokes at certain times. And I have seen the consequences. Scary.
But through this experiences, I am beginning to resolve these problems.
Firstly, I feel that people should develop a certain 'acceptance' to jokes and not snap just because an occasional bad joke is targeted at you. Keeping an open mind would most certainly help.
Secondly, everyone should think (for a brief moment) before telling a joke, access the possible consequences. Even for a second, this helps a lot.
Lastly, one should NEVER, EVER bring a joke overboard. ( saying the same mocking statement over and over again is an example)
With April Fool's Day around the corner, I hope everyone will NOT make it an All Sulk Day.
Joke sensibly,
Johnny Phua
