What are Appropriate Responses to Inappropriate Humor? (“. . . so my spirit can laugh with your Spirit.”) When you are in the presence of someone using inappropriate humor (whether sexist, profane, hurtful to a race or to a group, smutty, embarrassing, or what may generally be called insensitive humor) what do you do? Each person must decide. Make selections from the options below that you feel will be appropriate responses for you.
You may laugh, encouraging the person to continue.
You may choose to be next and use appropriate humor. (The contrast will be evident.)
If inappropriateness continues, put your hands up in front of you, about shoulder high, and say, “This is not for me,” and walk away.
If it is a friend, say, “How about coming to our Sunday school class and telling that joke next Sunday?” (You would make your point.)
If it is an offensive joke, don’t laugh.
If you feel strongly about it say, “Tell me the funny part of that joke.”
Situations and Responses: What is your perspective on bad humor? This kind of humor is in wide-spread usage and it is hard to escape. How do you handle it? Do you encourage it? Participate in it?
Pass it on? Abhor it! Begin getting prepared with healthy responses you can make. Write YOUR healthy responses to these situations in which bad humor is featured:
Situation: You are in the presence of someone noted for using bad humor.
Response: _____________________________________________________________
Situation: You recall a favorite joke that is in bad taste.
Response: _____________________________________________________________
Situation: You hear a funny joke that ridicules a person or a group.
Response: _____________________________________________________________
Situation: You’re in a group that frequently uses bad humor.
Response: ____________________________________________________________
Situation: You begin to realize that some of your jokes are crude, vindictive, or cutting.
Response: _____________________________________________________________
Situation: You’re present where humor has to be shielded from some members.
Response: _____________________________________________________________
Situation: You’re present where secret humor excludes you or someone in the group.
Response: _____________________________________________________________
Review your responses. Reflect on what your perspective on appropriate and inappropriate humor reveals about you. Discuss with your colleagues why inappropriate humor IS a character issue! As as a total group, are there one or two steps you and your colleagues wish to take?
