# Would this prank bother any of you? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 26, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680 "2005-01-26T01:46:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/21 "2005-01-26T04:19:25Z")
As far as I can tell, nobody has asked this yet: What’s your motivation? Tripler I would hope it’s a good story, rather than just the fact to fuck with someone. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/22 "2005-01-26T05:03:29Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#): > > Yeah, I crave the protection and support of people like you. I just hope you are a shoulder to cry on when life gets me down. > > Babies. No, no. You’re mistaken on your terminology. “Tools” are people who play nasty pranks on their “friends.” “Adults” are people who can recognize how far a joke should go before it becomes more cruel than funny, and will speak up when they feel that it’s crossed the line. “Babies” are people who go on the internet asking for people to assuage their guilt about pulling a prank instead of just doing it, then resort to name-calling and “I didn’t need you anyway” when someone tells them what they really think instead of what they want to hear. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/23 "2005-01-26T05:05:53Z")
> [@Uvula Donor](#): > > Next time you ask for an opinion, make sure to specify exactly what you want to hear, so no one offends you. > > :wally Very well put. OP - stupid and mean. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/24 "2005-01-26T06:45:39Z")
Childish and pointless, IMHO. Somebody wrote me an anonymous fake love note in 6th grade once. It was way over the top, talking about my rippling muscles and whatnot. The whole thing just reeks sixth grade childish mentality to me. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/25 "2005-01-26T08:53:09Z")
> [@SolGrundy](#): > > No, no. You’re mistaken on your terminology. > > “Tools” are people who play nasty pranks on their “friends.” > > “Adults” are people who can recognize how far a joke should go before it becomes more cruel than funny, and will speak up when they feel that it’s crossed the line. > > “Babies” are people who go on the internet asking for people to assuage their guilt about pulling a prank instead of just doing it, then resort to name-calling and “I didn’t need you anyway” when someone tells them what they really think instead of what they want to hear. Nail. Head. Hit. Class. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/26 "2005-01-26T09:04:01Z")
My advice: go watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail. See, that way, you’ll get a good laugh, without having to be a complete asshat to some guy for no reason. If you don’t like Python, substitute a comedy of your choice. The point still stands. There are things that are funny that don’t involve being a jackass to other people. I wholeheartedly recommend them in favor of the alternative. Would that more people did the same. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/27 "2005-01-26T09:33:18Z")
Heh, as pratical jokes go that’s pretty weak. Now don’t get me wrong I’m all about pratical jokes with my friends. In fact I got snaged pretty hard not too long ago. I had passed out from drinking too much one night. My room mate along with some friends that were at the apartment thought it would be funny to take a picture of me passed out holding a dildo. Then they thought it would be even funnier to email it to all my (close) friends. I was pretty pissed at first but in retrospect it was kind of funny. For payback I’m currently looking for rainbow stickers to slap on the back of people’s cars that were involved in the incident. Actually, that’s pretty weak. I need to think of something better (and more cruel) The only thing that would keep me from pulling the prank you’re thinking of is wheather or not this guy gets laid alot. Or does he have a hard time with the ladies? If so, that would be kind of mean. too mean. (Sorry to be so graphic.) ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/28 "2005-01-26T14:06:31Z")
I don’t think there’s any way that prank can end well. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/29 "2005-01-26T14:08:31Z")
I think it is a bad idea. If you decide to do it anyway, don’t carry it too far. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/30 "2005-01-26T14:17:59Z")
That’s the kind of prank that’s hilarious. . .if you’re in the third grade. If you’re any older than that, it’s just childish and mean. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/31 "2005-01-26T14:48:25Z")
I think what people are trying to say is that some mean things are funny, and some mean things are just stupid. Snarky comments in undertones about how someone’s unfortunate choice of paisley skirt makes her ass look like a sofa when she’s out of earshot by one’s fashionista friends–usually pretty funny. Walking up to someone and telling her that her skirt makes her ass look like a sofa–mean and stupid and pointless. **Dr.J** leaving notes on my dorm room door purportedly from my Latin-American lover, Raoul–funny. Your proposed impersonation of a classmate so you can point and laugh and sing “He wanted to make it with a _guy_!”–mean and stupid and pointless. Besides, nobody’s going to be laughing but you. When other people hear about this (and you can be assured they will), they’re not going to be laughing at this guy for being taken in by the ruse. They’re going to be wondering what the fuck is wrong with you for doing something like that. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/32 "2005-01-26T14:50:37Z")
Practical jokes are the refuge of people who have no talent for being naturally funny. At best, practical jokes are childish and stupid; at worst, they are mean-spirited and cruel. (The only exception to the practical joke rule I’ve found is that sometimes very close friends or family members have a practical joke “war” that is part and parcel of their loving and mutally respectful relationship.) ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/33 "2005-01-26T14:58:14Z")
I dunno. If done well it could be funny. Of course, I’ve the maturity of a sixth grader, so my tastes on funny are a bit crude at times. 😛 I’m not sure I’d do it with a girl at the same school though. That’s dragging another person into the mess needlessly. Of course, if you’re trying to prank the girl too than it’s acceptable. A little backstory would be nice too. You know, all of the sordid little whys of the gents deserving prankitude. And of course Wesley would deserve to get stomped. Any prank worth doing should earn you a beating, otherwise why do it. 😃 And lastly (boy there are a lot of one/two sentence paragraphettes in this post :rolleyes: ), aren’t we all overreacting a smudge? As far as pranks go, this is rather tame. Unless the person is incredibly emotionally fragile, there should be no lasting harm done. It’s not as if he’s drawing a gun loaded with blanks on the guy in class. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/34 "2005-01-26T15:41:41Z")
What’s interesting is that **Wesley** is so clueless that he assumed we’d all applaud the brilliance of this subtle joke. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/35 "2005-01-26T15:57:54Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#): > > Yeah, I crave the protection and support of people like you. I just hope you are a shoulder to cry on when life gets me down. > > Babies. Hey you were the one who asked if it would bother anyone and apparently it does. My two cents, I think it’s a cruel, pointless and jerkish thing to do. Unless you are _trying_ to get someone to kick your ass, if that’s the case then proceed. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/36 "2005-01-26T16:20:40Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > As far as I can tell, nobody has asked this yet: > > What’s your motivation? **Seconded**! Are you after some fun that your victim will eventual join in when the joke is revealed. Or are you wanting to make your victim look stupid, for the amusement of your friends? I hope the answer to the second scenario is obvious. Other than that; it depends on the kind of person the victim is and your relationship to him. Will he get the joke? Either way, don’t involve any third party girl. It’s nothing to do with her and would be really immature on your part to drag her into it. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/37 "2005-01-26T16:32:51Z")
There are practical jokes that play on a person’s character flaws, such as arrogance and self-righteousness. They can be funny and a bit of a zinger. Then, there’s the kind of practical joke that plays on a person’s trust and insecurities. While they can be funny, that never makes up for the cruelty of it. That’s what yours is. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/38 "2005-01-26T16:44:53Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > **Dr.J** leaving notes on my dorm room door purportedly from my Latin-American lover, Raoul–funny. Your proposed impersonation of a classmate so you can point and laugh and sing “He wanted to make it with a _guy_!”–mean and stupid and pointless. Besides, nobody’s going to be laughing but you. When other people hear about this (and you can be assured they will), they’re not going to be laughing at this guy for being taken in by the ruse. They’re going to be wondering what the fuck is wrong with you for doing something like that. Holy crap, **CrazyCatLady** , I thought me and the SO were the only one who did this. We even call him Raoul, too, the cabana boy. :o ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/39 "2005-01-26T16:49:21Z")
I don’t get it **Wes**. If you’re that annoyed/in love/whatever with the guy, either have an adult conversation with him about it, or get over it the way well-adjusted human beings normally do. If you are planning on using this guy as some sort of means to an end, don’t. Everyone deserves enough respect to be treated as an end in themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680/40 "2005-01-26T16:50:14Z")
This thread is better suited for [**In My Humble Opinion**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=12). I’ll move it for you. **Cajun Man** for the SDMB [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-prank-bother-any-of-you/286680.md?page=3)