To joke, or not to joke that is the question:

[Gavmacp]

Earlier today on the phone I made a joke which my friend (of over 20 years) said " I worry about you". My joke which I cannot even remember was around a totally unacceptable subject. But that is why it is funny to me because it is a subject that people are horrified by.
Later on AnswerBank a joke was removed as deemed racist.
People use humour for many reasons and in many different ways which if heard by some people may cause offence. I once watched a programme about a cartoonist whose jokes could be deemed to be deeply offensive. When you eventually saw the chap you discovered he was paraplegic. I could understand why he saw humour in the subject material he used.
I have used black humour in difficult situations, it is my coping mehanism I would never mean to cause offence.But I have also seen humour used in a bullying/aggresive way which I have been offended.
So if I make an ....ist joke, am I a ....ist if you do not know where I stand on the subject.

[lankeela]

To me there is nothing that is unacceptable. Ok people might not like it but unless said in hate then a joke is just that - maybe distasteful but lets face it there would be a lot of out of work comedians if they could not make a living by telling jokes that someone might be offended by. Think how many mother in law jokes there are! Should they be banned because some mothers in law are offended?

[boxtops]

IMO it depends on the context. I say things in jest sometimes and see colleagues at work having a sharp intake of breath - but it doesn't mean I'm racist or sexist or anythingist. It's a bit like Clarkson - it needs to be taken in the spirit in which it's intended.

[DTCwordfan]

So thats why folk get suspended around here......we all have limits to what is acceptable, some more than others, and the latter outweigh those who like ribald humour.

Watch for the reactions.....

[DTCwordfan]

absolutely Boxie....I agree, Many others don't - also it can be a pressure relief as in G's example.

[penelope2]

I think I know the joke that what removed for being so called 'racist'. Nothing wrong with it in my view. A joke is a joke and if people object then they can always move on. Seen far worse on emails and texts than are posted on hear. Hope all the jocks, micks, taffs, scummers, pommies, scousers. tooners etc keep their sense of humour and keep the jokes coming.

[ummmm]

I cracked a joke this evening that was a bit naughty...Naughty because it was a sensitive subject. I wouldn't say the same thing in front of people I didn't know....which is what this site is, a bunch of strangers.

[jno]

ummmm is dead right, what you say to friends is completely different from what you say in public - including websites. They know what to expect; strangers do not, and cannot be expected to read between the lines to find out what a wonderful person you really are.

[askyourgran]

The OP in question asked for the joke to be removed because the 'Outraged of Surbiton' clan and the PC R us crowd were mortally offended by an old joke.
It was a JOKE and hopefully they will get a life.

[Gavmacp]

Really not that wonderful but nice of you to say jno.
I just find this subject interesting. I had a friend who would say the most outragious jokes to a wonderful response but if I repeated it to a different crowd it would go down like a lead balloon.
Never had eh you know what I mean.........oh yes.......timing!

[ummmm]

There's also a big difference from saying it and typing it.

[penelope2]

Well said askyourgran.

[askyourgran]

Polyfilla

[China Doll]

I make a lot of jokes with friends, family and the man hostage that I wouldn't actually type on here because it would be inappropriate and not everyone shares my sense of humour which can be particularly black.