When does a joke go too far?

[Bloodsoul]

How many Super Saiyans does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

One; but it takes three episodes.

[lordlundar]

How many Super Saiyans does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

One; but it takes three episodes.

Wow, that fast huh?

[KabeRinnaul]

OH dear god they actually have jokes about that state? I know it's a state but I guarantee you that I could find at least 10 people that if I said the words West Virginia they would ask what part of Virginia is that in.

Not kidding people are stupid about geography

Once, long ago, my 3rd grade teacher told us that she'd told someone in the Southern parts of the country that she was from West Virginia, and they asked her "Isn't that near Raleigh?"

But yes, try looking around Fark.com for a story about WV and see what the comment thread looks like.

[guywithashovel]

On a related tangent, nothing really wears on me quite as fast as West Virginia jokes. Mainly because a lot of the people who spread them seem to honestly believe they're a good description of the whole state. And while yes, there's an element of truth in it all (the coalfields counties, Chesapeake), they generally only apply to places most West Virginians try to avoid, too.

I grew up in Southeastern Ohio, and for some reason, people there tend to like to rip on West Virginia and Kentucky quite a bit. I'll admit I've chuckled at a few West Virginia jokes. However, if it weren't for the signs up, I honestly wouldn't be able to tell Southeastern Ohio from West Virginia and Kentucky. For the most part, the people are about the same, and the land looks about the same, too.

Heck, sometimes we would go to the malls in Ashland, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia to do some shopping. Very nice malls.

[protege]

And while yes, there's an element of truth in it all (the coalfields counties, Chesapeake), they generally only apply to places most West Virginians try to avoid, too.

Throw Grafton, WV in there too. Been there many times to watch trains...and unfortunately, there's some truth to the WV jokes. Not all of Grafton resembles the stereotypes--there are some nice homes there...mainly in the outlying areas. However, the area up the hill (by the abandoned high school) is pretty shitty. Most of the homes are falling apart--one or two were quite nice, but the rest were dumps. Parked outside many of them, were rusty pickups with Confederate flags and gun racks in the windows. Still, many of the rednecks were polite...but they did keep a watchful eye on me.

[jackfaire]

Once, long ago, my 3rd grade teacher told us that she'd told someone in the Southern parts of the country that she was from West Virginia, and they asked her "Isn't that near Raleigh?"

But yes, try looking around Fark.com for a story about WV and see what the comment thread looks like.

Meh I tell people I am from Vancouver and immediatly I am from Canada If I say Washington I am from our Nation's capital.

Online I can understand this but when I am across the river it is just sad.

[Seshat]

Jokes are like flirting. Watch for the reaction.

If your audience - all of your audience - is happy with a particular line of joke, keep it up. If you've upset a minority of your audience, switch topics. (Joke about the muddlepuddlians, not the polish, for example.)

If you've upset a majority of your audience, it's time to let someone else tell the jokes.


That's my rule of thumb for not taking it too far.

[jackfaire]

My rule of thumb if your standing in front of the firing squad you went too far.

[Lace Neil Singer]

My rule of thumb if your standing in front of the firing squad you went too far.

Or on a train to the Gulag... yup, you took that joke too far.

Stalin references don't count as provoking Godwin's Law, right?