I find April Fools day distressing

[Username947531]

Does anyone else hate it? I've got CPTSD and find it very hard to trust people. It's caused ASD type behaviours where i like things to be clear and often take things at face value. April Fools is hideous for me as I hate pranks at the best of times. Laughing at someone's distress and confusion is a horrible thing to do.

I do an activity that I love. It was a gorgeous day today so I went to said activity and the people running it had pranked everyone by displaying some information that would make the activity much harder. When I asked if it was a prank they promised me it wasn't. Of course it turned out to be one. It ruined the experience for me and now I can't trust the organisers. I feel irrationally upset about it and don't know how to get over that.

Why do people think this stuff is funny?

But they didn't reveal it at any point. They lied when asked if it was a prank. It wasn't cycling but it's a good substitute. Imagine people were told today you're going up a huge hill and there was someone there who wasn't fit enough for a huge hill or who wasn't allowed to for medical reasons. So they didn't start the course. It was only those that finished the course and realised there wasn't a huge hill that the joke became clear.

It's the sort of activity where the pre information helps inform those with health conditions about whether they can complete it on any given day. So not a harmless prank.

Sorry you weren't able to appreciate the joke but it sounds like others did. Talk about sucking the joy out a small joke. They probably won't do it next year if they realise it's upset someone, so you and your sensitivity will be spared.

You are clearly talking about YOU here op. You were the one who felt deceived or hoodwinked into something which most other participants saw immediately was a joke?

the task was harder than you thought it would be?

yes i thought it was a heck of a lot worse tbs. it was

in actual fact… it was just more challenging!

And it depends what the prank was - for today only ladies and gents we've added maneating piranhas into the water for your open water swim! Or you know this forest which has been here forever, theres now a massive ravine to traverse on your orienteering course, not marked on any of the maps.

That update pits a different slant on it . That is indeed a ableist behaviour and not a prank or funny.

I think some of you are deliberately misunderstanding. I actually did the activity fine. However, the pre information provides safety information that enables people with certain conditions to decide whether it's doable for them, which was very relevant for example to someone I was with. By providing misleading information it meant people with certain conditions felt they either could not participate or worried about it.
I personally think that is cruel but I respect others might find causing disabled people distress 'hilarious'. The fact the organisers though this was OK distressed me because it made me think differently of them.

op you said “everyone” found it funny

We told dh the cat had done a big poo on his side of the bed and he fell for it hook, line and sinker.
But you need to know your audience.

😆 Made me chuckle too.

I might save that one for next year and 'get' someone with it!

Aprils Fools jokes are supposed to be silly and obvious. Pretending a sports activity is going to be significantly harder than it is doesn't really fit the bill. What happened, did you try to follow the joke rule?

you should know your audience - however, we can’t not prank on the off chance some people find it offensive:

Friend played one in her daughter this morning - it was funny, not some people might think otherwise.

Thats life.

Thank you. That's what I'm getting at. I felt it was abelist.

No you didn't find it ableist as this is not mentioned at all in your OP, which is all about you, and how you don't like pranks, and how it makes you feel uncomfortable and lied to.

The sudden concern for people with disabilities only came when other posters pointed out that it could be an issue.

But you need to know your audience.

I think this is key - and I do get that some people will appreciate a joke whereas for others it's difficult, especially if someone takes things at face value or is more affected by the joke than others .

I think you’re getting some really unkind replies here OP. I get why this upset you.

I wonder if, in future years, it’s worth a quiet word in advance to explain that you find it difficult to tell when things are a joke and that this kind of thing upsets you.

Please read my first post. I'm neuro diverse.

Ok I'm bowing out of this. I didn't post in AIBU but in chat because I thought it might be kinder. But apparently I just can't take a joke. Point taken.

Well OP you said everyone else there thought it was funny, which was the spirit it was meant to be.

If you are distressed then don't go back find a different group. It might be unsustainable if you have lost all good feeling towards the organisers anyway.

People do understand that as many should be accommodated as possible but there has to be a bit of give and take. Not all events everywhere can be bespoke for everyone.

Perhaps avoid potential situations on 1st April from now on?