Laughing is good medicine, as it helps us relieve stress and it can come in various forms, from funny comedy skits or simply just making jokes with friends or relatives. Apart from my high school days, I am more of an introverted person, if you see me make a joke with someone, it means I've known the person for a long time and have gotten comfortable with them. But within my family I am more of an extroverted person that when someone outside says I'm the quiet type, they laugh in disbelief because they know I can worry for Africa.
Joking with friends and family is a good thing but sometimes the receiver Of the joke might take offense even though you had no ill intention, that is why it is necessary for us to know the weak point of an individual and not make a joke about that part of their life. Still, we are humans and can't read minds so there is bound to be a fallout at times.
Have I ever offended someone through a joke?
Yes, I have but sincerely, it wasn't intentional but the aftermath was bad. During the last Christmas holiday, I and my family including my siblings and theirs decided to spend Christmas at our parent house, it was a full house of merriment, we were happy to be with each other, at a point, we got talking after lunch, the conversation was interactive, I can't remember what we were actually talking about now, then I cracked a joke about my sister not needing a man to survive, which was an honest point of view from my side, I was just encouraging her to be her own boss, but her husband got offended and his countenance changed, but I didn't quickly observe and kept on talking, suddenly he stood up and said they had to leave, I felt bad about bringing that joke on, because I didn't want them to leave yet and also didn't want my sister to have any issues with her husband. He insisted and left earlier than usual, although, this was not the first time we had hung out together, and her husband and I are very good friends, I learned not to dabble with such topics anymore especially in front of him as it hurt his ego as a man. Even though I meant well, he is sensitive to it so I have to respect him and avoid it.
Have I ever felt offended by jokes?
Definitely a yes. Growing up into puberty during my secondary school days, I noticed I was beginning to have facial hair on my chin just like my mum, I was self-aware and felt embarrassed to have facial hair, only for one stubborn classmate of mine to joke around with it and started calling me bear bear meaning beards, it wasn't funny then as my other classmates joined him in bullying me by calling me that name. I took it up and reported it to our mathematics teacher, I was his favorite in class and he was the least favorite and most feared teacher. He warned them and told me to report anyone that bullied me again and that was how the bear bear nickname died out.
CONCLUSION
Cracking jokes with friends is cool but we should know when to stop when they are not feeling the funny vibe anymore instead getting offended, also try to understand the person you are cracking joke with, what he or she likes and dislikes, that way, getting people offended with your jokes will be curbed.
This post is in response to the hive learners weekly contest week 52,edition 2
Thank you for reading ❤❤