# How is it funny when someone is hurt or humiliated? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 5, 2002, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067 "2002-09-05T02:40:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/41 "2002-09-06T03:46:18Z")
It would only be to test the OPs question. After I humiliate you, I’ll interview people and say “Why, exactly, was it funny when I pantsed Diane in broad daylight? Help me understand?” Purely academic. Don’t impede progress, my friend. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_The\_Diver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Buck\_The\_Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_The_Diver)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/42 "2002-09-06T04:01:45Z")
“Tragedy is when I stub my toe. Comedy is when you fall through an open manhole and die.” I forget who said that. Just seems apropos. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/43 "2002-09-06T04:31:22Z")
> [@](#): > > If something humilating happened to Diane while we were in Vegas- say, someone slipped her a laxative in her morning orange juice and she got diharhea right there on the Strip, I certainly wouldn’t laugh. > > Or, what if she were walking along and someone crept up behind her and pantsed her in front of a roomful of people? I know I wouldn’t laugh at that. I would say that the reason these might not be funny is because they were intentional humiliation. I would not laught at these types of situations either. The more common source of laughter is the unintentional humiliation. Now let us suppose, that the night before our hypthetical woman in Vegas ate something that made her gassy and while at the Black Jack table let a loud one rip, would that be funny? Suppose that our hypothetical person was wearing a skirt and walked over a grate and had her dress blown up a la Marilyn Monroe, exposing a pair of giant polka dot granny panties, would that be funny? ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/44 "2002-09-06T05:19:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Now let us suppose, that the night before our hypthetical woman in Vegas ate something that made her gassy and while at the Black Jack table let a loud one rip, would that be funny? > > Suppose that our hypothetical person was wearing a skirt and walked over a grate and had her dress blown up a la Marilyn Monroe, exposing a pair of giant polka dot granny panties, would that be funny? Hell yeah on both accounts. So are you saying that if “someone” “hypothetically” caused the humiliation that it’s NOT funny? I gotta take notes on this. (by the way, the farting at the black jack table thought put me into a fit of giggles. damn my immature sense of humor) ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/45 "2002-09-06T05:20:54Z")
[Homer] “It’s funny 'cuz it isn’t me.” [/Homer] ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/46 "2002-09-06T05:39:44Z")
> [@](#): > > Hell yeah on both accounts. So are you saying that if “someone” “hypothetically” caused the humiliation that it’s NOT funny? I gotta take notes on this. At least to me that’s how it works. Mind you, the important part is the intentionally caused the humiliation. If someone trips a kid walking in the hall, to me that’s not funny. However, if it involves audible fart sounds then it is priceless comedic gold. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/47 "2002-09-06T05:44:50Z")
I like you, brujo. Wanna join us in Vegas? Or are you in the Witness Protection Program? (Based on your location). I can show you the joy of intentional humiliation- cross over to the dark side!! ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/48 "2002-09-06T05:58:25Z")
Thanks Zette. I’m not in Witness Protection, rather I’m more of a recluse. I’m working on it, as the digging prgesses it will enventually become an underground bunker, and finally my secret lair. It’s a work in progess. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/49 "2002-09-06T06:28:00Z")
I am going to have to agree with the sentiment about humiliation humor. Movies like “Meet the Parents” are not that funny in my opinion. I don’t like them, I do feel sorry for the victim of it. I always hated sitcoms because they are almost 100% humiliation humor. Erek ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/50 "2002-09-06T07:04:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\*Eh. Some people take life too seriously. Sure, I can see how a bride would be mortified because she fell into a pool. But once it’s happened, it’s done. Put on your jeans and party, I’d say. The day’s not gonna be better by moaning about how horrible it all is. \*\* Her day might be a little bit better if you show some empathy… and it’s bound to be a lot worse if you tell her to “Put on your jeans and party!” ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/51 "2002-09-06T14:08:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Her day might be a little bit better if you show some empathy… and it’s bound to be a lot worse if you tell her to “Put on your jeans and party” It would be better for her if she sat around pouting in a wet wedding dress? Lighten up, sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/52 "2002-09-06T14:10:33Z")
Oh and Zette, I’m watching you. You better not fall asleep in Vegas. ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/53 "2002-09-06T15:36:57Z")
Gosh, this is such an uncommon phenomenon. One would think that, since so few of the things we laugh at (3 Stooges, Little Rascals, Lucy, Everybody Wants to Strangle Raymond), the Germans wouldn’t have taken the time to come up with a [word](http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=schadenfreude) to describe this. There are lines to how far each of us goes in laughing at others’ misfortune, but let’s face it–99.9% of humor involves someone being humiliated, being stupid, or being clumsy. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/54 "2002-09-07T00:47:33Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Diane \* > \*\* > It would be better for her if she sat around pouting in a wet wedding dress?_\* NOBODY SAID THAT. Nobody said that she should just lounge around in a wet dress. However, telling her “Oh, just put on some jeans and party” is cold, rude and danged insensitive. At least show some empathy, for pity’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/55 "2002-09-07T01:24:14Z")
I’ve come to the opinion that there are a few people who are wearing underpants a few sizes too small, but then again, opinions are like assholes, we’ve all got one. ---
**Author:** ![mighty\_maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@mighty\_maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mighty_maxx)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/56 "2002-09-07T01:55:45Z")
"\*\*I’ve been covered in poop many times in my life, and it is never fun. \*\*So I’d never laugh at something like that. I also don’t find disgusting things funny. **Poop is not funny. It’s just poop**. " I couldn’t help myself but to laugh at this…I"m so immature…(sorry):smack: ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/57 "2002-09-07T02:33:28Z")
As the originator of one of the threads in the OP, I can honestly say, without any hesitation, that You, Rilch, would have looked at my friend as he was making the “I’m On Fire” face, and laughed your ass off. I absolutely guarantee it. Absolutely. You would have had no choice. And then you might just realise, as you have missed in my OP, that it was specifically the facial expression I found humor in, and not the predicament. Had the predicament itself involved more than passing discomfort, had there been any danger, I would immediately have done whatever necesary to extinguish my friend’s flaming forearms (Band name!) while laughing my ass off. And pratfalls which are contrived, the benny hill type or Lucy show type, are rarely funny to me. Give me someone really getting hit in the nads by an errant radio controlled plane, and I’m on the floor. Do I lack empathy for my fellow creature? Well, lessee: I’ve been shot. Stabbed. Fallen 25 feet into lump coal. Broken both legs doing drunken stupid things I’d rather not discuss here. Rode a bicycle full-tilt into a concrete wall. Broken nearly ever finger and every toe hitting or kicking things not meant to be hit or kicked. Air nailed my own foot to a wall. Stapled my thumb to my forehead. Sliced open my forehead on an electrical panel then accidentally stuck my finger in the wound and touched my own skull. Electrocuted myself (repeatedly). Accidentally set fire to clothing I was wearing at then time. Was it fun for me? no. Can I empathize with every person who endures some such indignity? Absofuckinglutely, having been there myself. Were each of those events uproariously funny? In retrospect, to me, they are. Stapling my thumb to my forehead, in retrospect, cracks me up every time, even though it was my thumb and my forehead and it hurt like hell. So yeah, when someone hurts themself, as long as they are in no real danger and they will obviously hurt somewhat but survive to tell the story years later over beers, I will laugh my ass off. It’s the least I can do, they’d do the same for me, if they’re my real friends. b. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/58 "2002-09-07T03:54:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > > How is it funny when someone is hurt or humiliated? > > * * * I am speaking STRICTLY to the OP, having NO comment to any of the replies, okay? **Richiam** , it isn’t. And it has a lot to do with laughing WITH you instead of laughing AT you. Empathy dictates, you know? If people are laughing WITH you at a weird/odd/muckcovered situation, then fine. If YOU aren’t laughing, to me it isn’t at ALL funny. JMHO ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/59 "2002-09-07T15:58:39Z")
Mel Brooks, a very funny man, once said something to the effect of, “Tragedy is when I break a fingernail. Comedy is when you fall down a manhole and die.” Humor is (not entirely, but almost entirely) about the unexpected disjunct between expectations and reality. A very good and simple way to pull this off is sudden senseless violence. Think of all the jokes you know. How many of them, besides puns, are not based on humiliation or suffering of someone? ---
**Author:** ![agentfroot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@agentfroot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agentfroot)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067/60 "2002-09-07T16:59:11Z")
It’s not funny when someone gets hurt. Sure, you might snicker if you saw someone slip on a pile of poop and land hard on his bum. But if he had, say, broken his tailbone, then you would abruptly stop laughing and go to help him. A few years ago, when I was still in high school, some jerk decided it would be really funny to pull down the pants of a boy with Down Syndrome. I was innocently walking down the hall to class, when I heard people laughing. I saw this poor guy, with nobody there to help him, with his pants around his ankles. Meanwhile, half the kids in the hall were laughing hysterically and the other half were disgusted and angry that some moron had the nerve to humiliate a mentally retarded kid like that. Bullying is wrong. It’s only funny if the victim is laughing too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-funny-when-someone-is-hurt-or-humiliated/127067.md?page=4)