Are there topics you can't/shouldn't joke about? Why or why not?

[Bilboes]

Do you think there should be some kind of limitation that restricts humor and comedy, or should you be able to joke about everything?

[Summeroflove]

People are weird. Sure there is a such thing as too far. But some people are laughing and going along with something. Then get all offensive or something. It’s annoying. People need to use their words sometimes.

It depends on the group you’re around. If you’re talking to first responders or medical workers you can get away with a lot more then you can the general public. If you’re talking to a church group it’s best to be safe and stay away from that topic.

The Bible says don’t intentionally offend your brother. At the same time. People shouldn’t make you feel you have to walk on egg shells when you aren’t even talking to them.

[BarryLiverstone]

Anything can be joked about in the proper environment. However many things shouldn’t be joked about in other places. Are you asking about irl and in what context?

[Bilboes]

Generally asking.. Frankly, as long as your joke has a cleverly constructed punch-line, I think you can joke about anything. At least, that's my point.

[BarryLiverstone]

There is no limit to humor and as long as those who hear it understand it’s a joke and not mean or bad faith then it’s ok to say. However in many cases the people will hear it and think it’s not a joke whether it’s taken personally or they are shocked to hear it.

For example when people go to a comedy club and hear a set they should be mature enough to know everything the comedian says is humor and not meant to offend. However what can happen is someone feels like the joke was meant as a criticism of them directly and that’s when they can feel insecure and lash out

[BarryLiverstone]

Also I’d say when adults are in a group like at a family event and there are children around then jokes must be censored for the little ears that may hear and not understand them

[Bilboes]

I also don't like tasteless jokes made to create a shock factor or to be edgy. But as I said, cleverly constructed jokes can address topics that are seen as offensive.

[BarryLiverstone]

I’ll give you a practical example. My friends and I like to get together and play Cards Against Humanity. We are a mix of couples and it’s fun to drink and be a bit edgy as it’s a break from normal #adulting. However we make sure to remote one of the cards that gives an answer of “coat hanger abortions” as we have ladies in the group who see no humor in that thought no matter the joke. So that probably lines up with what you said about it being tasteless.

Another example is the classic “don’t yell fire in a crowded theatre”.. if a comedian had that as part of her bit then it’s gone beyond humor and can be dangerous.

So just sharing with you a few examples of limits to humor that you asked originally.

[CubsterShura]

You should not be able to make jokes at the expense of other people. And I'm saying this as a generally funny person myself.

Humor is subjective and not everyone's humor is my type and vice versa and that's okay. But it's absolutely not an excuse to make jokes about sensitive topics. You can joke about things that are in general not at anyone's expense or jokes that are self-deprecating.

As a science student I enjoy making a lot of science jokes. You can make jokes about pop culture references, science, art, even death and dark jokes if you know your audience, or general topics.

[love_conquers_lust]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CaOkTKfxu44

Californians.

[ta-ra]

Keyword *joke* people take things to seriously all the time.
People all love dark humor they just act like they don't so they can stay politically correct.

I can't stand people who attend comedy clubs then get ass hurt when the comedian cracks a joke they find *out of the box* like you knew what was going to happen. You don't like, don't watch it, stay in your lane and let the other people who can understand it is just a joke enjoy themselves.

[Dargil]

I think there is. There is literature that indicate variations in basic intelligence of various racial groups. Those who are hypothesized to be on the lower side of the bell curve should be left alone (they weren't for a long time). On the other hand, someone has said "How much does that add up to?" and I have said "Sorry. I'm not Asian. I can't do math in my head. Not a problem with that. And in my region where there is river recreation and I have seen bumper stickers reading "Paddle faster. I hear Banjo Music". But because Hillbillies are white, that's on limits. But plug in Rap Music and attitudes are different.

[Oliverlogan263]

Bbzzb

[bolverk]

"Are there topics you can't/shouldn't joke about?"

Not really, it depends on time/place/context.

As the jokes told by service personnel would be found offensive by civilians, but those service personnel would find those jokes as innocuous, as dark humour helps them cope, the same can also be said for people in any of the heavy industries, dark humour helps them cope with with day to day things they cannot control.

Ultimately that is what humour is for, it is a coping mechanism to help deal with the dark side of life.

[ProbablyClueless]

I think it's just in generally poor taste to make fun of things the person can't change, or any kind of deeply emotional loss. Even if it's just something that the person asks you not to joke about or say. If it's not a joke for the other person, you're just being mean. I think having a little consideration for the interests of other people can go a long way.

I remember I had some "friends" growing up that would make fun of me by calling me crippled after I had surgery on my knee. Even going beyond the fact it was true; the surgery was quite painful and frustrating to go through, and I'd even asked them to not joke about me being crippled. Their response was to laugh and keep harping on the fact I was disabled. I'm not a thin-skinned person by any stretch of the imagination, but that was such a personal thing for me. I can't imagine why they thought that wouldn't be crossing a line.

[Minahh]

Definitely. It's okay to tell dark jokes if you know people are into that. But like making a fun of someone's appearance, sexuality, religion etc. obviously just means you're a shitty person also those ahahah it's just a joke when clearly you really just want to put the person down

[D_Bone_Steak]

Some people might get offended when I tell my joke about how to unload a truck full of babies (with a pitchfork), but that is not my problem. (^_^) It's their problem because that's funny.

[AviatorTom]

There are some topics that should be handled carefully, but there are no off-limits topics. Any topic can be funny if done properly in a joke, or stimulate discussion if properly presented.

[Robertjo16]

I have no filter. I say whatever cones to mind

[Lokiion]

No joke off limit as long as they know it’s a joke. Although things like rape is pushing it. Of course there other things you can’t joke about with sensitive people.

[Simslover92]

Rape victims
Death especially tragic deaths like 9/11
Down Syndrome
Physically handicapped
Autism

[Robertjo16]

I'm autistic and i make fun of myself every frickin day

[Simslover92]

I just think that these should be off limits. There are some autistic people that are worse off than others. It's really not appropriate to me to make fun of.

[strateguy632]

butvthose are topics nobody is laughing at the sufferer. only by comedy can peolle raise issues that are stifled by society. anything that does not incite violence must be protected speech especially comedy.

[Simslover92]

I don't see how you could really make jokes about any of the topics I mentioned without it coming off offensive.

[Subwayco]

Probably joking about anyone connected to the person your talking with. Relatives, wife , girlfriend etc. are just a poor choice for good joking material.

[normalice]

Not with proper context, no. But that just kicks the line to a different gray area - i. e. "what is proper context?"

[MysticDevice]

Humor is the best way to cope. Either everything is funny or nothing is funny.

[smilelots]

race, religion. because you can upset nice people if you go there. every one is who thay are and what they are just let live and let love , and be kind to all.

[strateguy632]

but plenty of people make jokes about jesus and christianity and other religions except after that famous caricature... remember?

[CrimsonAngel09]

For me, body shaming. Already blocked a lot of guys for it on here today.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

A certain amount of dark humor/ dark jokes I guess are funny, but I always feel like God's going to punish me for doing so.

[Pohjolan]

No but the joke has to be good enough.

Like say: A Italian, Swede, Dane, Norwegian, German and Pole went to a island.

The Norwegian killed them all.

[more_than_a_guy]

Every person can tolerate differently, so it depends on them individually rather than collectively. I might not agree with some things people laugh on, and vice versa, but I won't stop them. They are free to joke on whatever they want to.

[anon1903]

I think jokes aren't supposed to encourage hatred and harassment.

[jenna815]

Definitely there are topics that should be avoided in mixed company... They always said religion, politics and money are no-go's, and

[love_conquers_lust]

This is a good one. When comedians become our politicians, we’re truly fucked.