"Every skin teet' a no laugh." -Jamaican proverb
Meaning: Just because you see someone's teeth it doesn't mean they're laughing (similar to how an animal bares its teeth when it's about to attack).
Everyone loves a good joke. In fact, the ability to make others laugh is a gift that shouldn't be discounted. But even joking has its etiquette, so keep these tips in mind and you can keep everyone laughing:
- There is a time and place for everything. A joke at a bad time can make a situation worse, even if that was not your intent.
- All jokes aren't for all people. The jokes you tell to close friends may not be appropriate (or may be misconstrued) with people who don't know you well (work colleagues, for example).
- Along the same lines, some jokes don't transition well with other cultures, so consider your audience.
- Consider the joke and whether it could be offensive. Is it a joke that promotes stereotypes? Intolerance? Any other negative connotations? Generally speaking, when in doubt leave it out.
- Don't forward jokes electronically. Punch lines can be easily misinterpreted in writing. And since some people forward jokes without deleting email addresses, you never want to be associated with an off-color joke that was only intended just for close friends.
- Carefully consider the jokes you use during certain events (birthday/wedding toasts, eulogies, introducing speakers, etc.) especially since these events are typically being recorded and your words will be forever memorialized.
Keep laughing!
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