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In fact, we should be selective about jokes when it comes to people
posted by
adventurer02
on September 7, 2015 at 3:54 AM
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CesiumClockWatcher
One difference is we choose what teams to root for. There is nothing in our genetic make-up that makes us love the team we do. With a little extrapolation, you can say we ask for the good-natured ribbing that results from sports rivalry.
Race and such are another matter. The circumstances of our birth are the only things we had absolutely no control over. Picking at something like that is tasteless at best.
When I think about it, most comedy is a hair away from cruelty anyway. Someone is always the brunt of the joke. Mix the wording and intent around and more often than not, you have an insult.
posted by
Talion
on April 7, 2006 at 2:24 PM
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Yeah, I think it is different ...
I mean, making fun of someone else's school just seems so natural. Plus, is only very indirectly an actual reflection on the person themself.
Also, as with most things, degree of familiarity is a major factor. For instance, my boyfriend (who is not Russian) calls me a "communist" all the time ... and I won't even repeat what I call him.
However, neither of us would likely tolerate such behavior from strangers.
I might stay for a day there if I had my wish
But there's not much to do when your friends are all fish
And an oyster and clam aren't real family
So I don't want to live in the sea
posted by
Mademoiselle
on April 7, 2006 at 1:46 PM
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