Every comedian knows what it's like to have a joke fall flat. It happens. But do they all receive lectures when their jokes fail?
I love our choir. We're casual, a bit wacky, and not all that good—it's a good fit for me—but we love each other and our work. We also cover a very wide spectrum when it comes to political, social, and even religious views, and one of the things that keeps us from being at each other's throats in these troubled times is humor.
You know what else I like about our choir? They laugh at my jokes. They tell me they like my sense of humor.
Maybe it's a choir thing. Maybe I've been in Florida too long. Maybe this is what happens to everyone as they get older. But it came as a shock to me that some people think I'm more demented than funny.
During our recent trip to the Northeast, I kept running into people who most definitely did not appreciate my sense of humor. Not only did they not laugh, but they reacted as if I were a particulary dense child with no understanding of the world. I'm not griping about specific people here; in fact, I don't remember who they were, nor what particular jokes fell flat. But the following examples are illustrative of the phenomenon.
I came upon this jar of mayonnaise while sorting through our food supplies and checking expiration dates. I posted it to Facebook, with the caption, "What do you think? Is it time to rotate the stock in my pantry?"
And people laughed. They did not look blank and condescendingly explain to me that the date does not mean October 1821 but rather October 18, 2021.
As I was sitting in a doctor's office waiting area, I noticed that they had thoughtfully provided a small refrigerator, which sported the following sign:
Patient Water
Had there been anyone else in the room, I would probably have noted, "I guess the Impatient Water must be in another room." Due to my recent experiences, my mind filled in, "No, you don't understand. The sign means that the water in this refrigerator is for patients only."
My choir would have laughed. Maybe that's because they are a choir, in Florida, and with an average age that is, shall we say, elevated.
But it sure is good to be among people who think me clever rather than stupid!
I would have had the same thought about the water.
One of my friends at church (chemist) just got promoted. His new job title is "Responsible Scientist." His wife wanted to know if he had been considered to be an irresponsible scientist before the promotion.
That's my kind of humor all right.
