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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To really not appreciate this sort of "humour"?

76 replies

Soyamilkisniceintea · 29/04/2017 12:32

I know a few people who do it - not know well but it seems to be a type of person.

You ask for something to be polite but it's perfectly reasonable - 'could I have a carrier bag please?'
They look at you poker faced and say 'no.'
You wait.
They break out into a grin and say 'course!'

I know it's meant harmlessly but I hate it. I feel like such a twat as I stand there waiting for the 'punch.' AIBU to wonder why the fuck people do it as it isn't funny!

OP posts:
LadyPW · 29/04/2017 12:45

I think this probably falls under the Daily Mail's heading of "hilarious" i.e. the average person will think Hmm
That's certainly the response anyone would get from me.

SquatBetty · 29/04/2017 12:47

Tiresome, lame humour. They'll then get all offended if you complain. My FIL is like this. He also reads the Mail unsurprisingly!

WorraLiberty · 29/04/2017 12:50

But most of Mumsnet read the Daily Mail and yet I doubt many people would find that funny.

I used to hate it as a kid. You try to break through that awkward shyness and ask in a loud enough to hear, polite voice only to be told 'No', before the shopkeeper collapses in fits of giggles Hmm

Chavelita · 29/04/2017 12:53

I have never come across a woman doing this, come to think of it. Always men doing it to a child or a woman.

Original poster
Soyamilkisniceintea · 29/04/2017 12:53

Yes - and you still feel like a stupid kid even as an adult! said with feeling

OP posts:
Hobbes8 · 29/04/2017 12:56

My father in law does this to me and my daughter (she's 3).

Sigh.

AntigoneJones · 29/04/2017 12:57

ah yes like the hilarious one when you go to the post office and ask for a stamp...
the old git stamps on the floor before looking at you expectantly, waiting for you to burst out laughing I suppose.

baconandmushrooms · 29/04/2017 12:57

Yanbu

Someone did this to me last week. I asked for directions he was washing his car outside so I thought he'd know the area (I was about 2 streets away just unsure which way) I said excuse me could you tell me how to get to --- please? He said no before nearly pissing his pants and his funny he was before telling me. I just thought he was a massive twat.

Original poster
Soyamilkisniceintea · 29/04/2017 12:58

Haven't come across that one! It's really annoying but at least then there is some vague attempt at wit through double meaning - it's not remotely funny - but with the 'no' it's just - Angry NOT FUNNY!

It's really pissed me off! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Soyamilkisniceintea · 29/04/2017 12:58

Bacon I feel your pain!!

OP posts:
Asmoto · 29/04/2017 12:59

Yes! A particular bullying twunt of a senior manager did this to me at work once - he had his back to me at the time - I asked him 'Do you know where I can find X at the moment' (X being someone he worked closely with) and he said 'No!' with an air of triumph.

Unfortunately for him, I had a visiting Head Honcho with me who I was trying to hand over on a visit - you should have seen him leap to his feet and bluster when I politely added, 'I do need to find him, as Head Honcho has a meeting with him at two thirty.'

ToffeeCaramel · 29/04/2017 13:01

I know it's meant harmlessly but I hate it. I feel like such a twat
It's them that should feel like a twat for having a crap sense of humour not you. Could you say "Oh well done!" in a patronising manner?

floraeasy · 29/04/2017 13:03

YANBU

I have a schoolboy sense of humour and like word-play and puns, but even I draw the line at what you have described. Where's the wit? The punchline? Nah, I don't get it.

I lump in the pretending-to-have-forgotten-your-birthday in with this. Those annoying people who think it's funny to let someone spend the greater part of their birthday thinking they've been forgotten and then spring a surprise party on them when they're depressed and probably not even dressed for it. Why do people do that?

MapMyMum · 29/04/2017 13:09

Had this from a woman the other day she thought she was hilarious and actually I was on my way to the hospital to a family member who was very very ill. I was not in the mood for it and she thought I was a moody cow but I couldnt muster a fake smile for it. Not sure that I could have done it in normal circumstances either

ClashCityRocker · 29/04/2017 13:10

I was meeting some friends in a pub.

Being the first one there, I went to the bar and asked for a pint, please.

'no' said the barman, smirking.

I said OK, and turned around to go.

'just kidding' he said.

I went over the road and text my friends to meet me in there instead. Turned out well, actually as they had a rather good folk group playing so we stopped in there all night.

TheFirstMrsDV · 29/04/2017 13:11

This is really weird.
I thought this was a zombie thread because I am sure I have read the exact same op and first responses before.

Not a dig at you OP. If its any comfort I think most of the people on the other thread (if in fact there was one...) agreed with you too Grin

Obsidian77 · 29/04/2017 13:13

I was heavily pregnant and needed to hire a car, the man said he couldn't let me as I had 11 points on my license (I don't). I burst into tears and he was baffled why his "joke" had upset me

floraeasy · 29/04/2017 13:15

Obsidian77 Sad how awful.

We should fight back. Tell them to do their damn jobs and leave the "comedy" to professionals.

Spadequeen · 29/04/2017 13:17

I had this when I went to an out of hours doctor with what turned out to be very bad tonsillitis. I asked the receptionist for an appointment with the doctor and was told no. Twice. He didn't think it so funny when I complained about him to the doctor.

He did apologise and Tried to explain he was trying to cheer me up as I looked so unhappy. I WAS SO UNHAPPY BECAUSE I WAS SO UNWELL YOU STUPID FUCKING TWAT! I didn't say that obviously but did tell him that it was very inappropriate and most definitely not funny

Mothervulva · 29/04/2017 13:18

Do most of mumsnet read the Daily Mail..?

floraeasy · 29/04/2017 13:19

Wow, Spade!

I would have thought a doctor's receptionist needed to show more empathy than is usual in that role because of the sick and distressed patients they would encounter. I really don't understand people who can't put themselves in someone else's shoes. Is that really how they'd like to be spoken to if they were frightened and in pain Shock.

HopefulHamster · 29/04/2017 13:23

Men and women do this (as evident above). I'm sure it's mostly done to women/kids though. It's a power joke - only funny to the person with the power. Ugh.

Original poster
Soyamilkisniceintea · 29/04/2017 13:25

Not guilty MrsDV - I don't think, anyway!

OP posts:
insancerre · 29/04/2017 13:28

I have just disciplined someone for this at work
She was asked to do something by a newly promoted staff member. She said no and she was putting her foot down and not doing it
When I questioned her later, she said she was joking
Thing is nobody found it funny, particularly the member of staff who felt undermined

happymumof4crazykids · 29/04/2017 13:28

Yep my FIL is like this personally I find it rude not funny, especially for example if we are their house one of the kids asks for a drink. He might just say yes straight away then no to one of the others. Or no to the first one to ask but give one to the others and pretend the one who asked can't have one for a few seconds or so. Long enough for the really little ones to get upset. I really don't get why he would do that!