Do you find it funny when people trip over?

[Dresssos]

I have friends that are, on the whole, generally polite. We are in our 30s. When it comes to a member of our group tripping over though, that all goes to shit and everyone thinks it's bloody hilarious! I remember being at school and if anyone tripped over, they would always be greeted by a "wheeyyyy" and a clap. I genuinely have never found it funny, but wondered what other people think?

@Confusedandshaken It’s usually pretty easy. If they aren’t hurt, they are likely not to be wincing in pain.

Are you saying that you have never stifled a laugh? Can anyone help what they find funny?

Bot at someone else's pain or embarrassment. I don't find that funny.

[quote Jahebejrjr]@KeepingTrack I don’t know how many times I have to say I wouldn’t laugh if someone was hurt.[/quote]
Sorry.
It’s hard to keep clear track of who says what.
As a stand alone, your post wasn’t clear to me.

@GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou

Well, it's relevant to this thread.

Cats often trip people up. I believe they do it on purpose.

I have stood on my cats paw before now and was really upset about it Some people may find it funny though ‘we’re all different after all’

No, I hate being witness to someone’s humiliation. I feel sorry for anyone who falls, it’s embarrassing and that makes me sorry forbthem

*for them

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

Are you saying that you have never stifled a laugh? Can anyone help what they find funny?

Bot at someone else's pain or embarrassment. I don't find that funny.

At the time your laugh leaves your mouth, you don't know the circumstances of the fall. Laughing is something you can't help, just like crying.

@Jahebejrjr

Especially where the person breaks into a run to try to hide the fact they stumbled.

Stumbling is different than falling over.

I could smile at stumbling.
I worry about anyone falling over.

Was your cat alright, Sappy?

Depends on the person. Young and able bodied? Generally a bit funny. 80yo granny? Not very funny.

No, I don’t, and I really don’t understand people who do. I just don’t get how people can be programmed to find other people’s minor misfortunes amusing. I’ve tried - not least because my husband thinks slapstick comedy is hilarious - but I simply don’t get it.

I’m also unmoved by most slapstick unless it’s particularly witty, not just straight bloke-falls-over, and I don’t particularly enjoy ‘cringe’ comedy. Basically if it’s wringing a laugh out of someone else’s misfortune or at their expense, even if they’re fictional, it’s not really for me.

I get plenty of laughs through other things that I do find funny. I just don’t find things like people tripping funny at all. I do try to understand when other people laugh if I’ve been unlucky enough to trip but I instinctively find it unkind and mean-spirited to be on the receiving end of it.

@XenoBitch can I ask?

So, A falls over in front of you. They are on the floor.

You start laughing because you can’t help it. That’s before you have any idea if they are ok or not.

A actually has damaged their ankle, can’t get up, is in pain. Maybe they have a disability you hadn’t noticed.

What do you do? How will you feel about it?
Will you be to look at A in the eyes whilst helping them, knowing 10 seconds ago you were laughing at them?

@GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou

Was your cat alright, Sappy?

I think so he made an awful noise though I’m sure it hurt him, I was very upset They are ninjas though and he doesn’t meow

[quote KeepingTrack]@XenoBitch can I ask?

So, A falls over in front of you. They are on the floor.

You start laughing because you can’t help it. That’s before you have any idea if they are ok or not.

A actually has damaged their ankle, can’t get up, is in pain. Maybe they have a disability you hadn’t noticed.

What do you do? How will you feel about it?
Will you be to look at A in the eyes whilst helping them, knowing 10 seconds ago you were laughing at them?[/quote]
Like I said, I can't help laughing, anymore than I can help crying at something. By laughing, I mean pushing a little more air through my nostrils than normal. It is all about the context.. a kid falling over - proper laugh. An elderly person - probably none at all. I don't know. Laughing is instinct, I can't control it.
I have seen people laugh at me, and film me on their phones for something a lot more serious than a trip over a paving slab.

At the time your laugh leaves your mouth, you don't know the circumstances of the fall. Laughing is something you can't help, just like crying.

But a laugh wouldn't leave my mouth if someone fell or tripped because its not funny. What would be funny about it? I just don't understand why someone would laugh at something that's not funny.

I fall over a lot (hello Dyspraxia) and much prefer people to laugh than get overly concerned. If I've really hurt myself, I'll say!

I'm another one who can't help but have a little chuckle when some trips or falls, it's a reaction I can't help.
But if someone has hurt them self I would obviously apologise for my laughter.
I laugh at myself though and encourage my DS to laugh it off and not make a big deal if he's not hurt himself.

I have seen people laugh at me, and film me on their phones for something a lot more serious than a trip over a paving slab.

That must have made you feel even worse.

Yes, they love nothing better than sneaking about.

I'm glad he was OK.

a kid falling over - proper laugh

Even if that kid has really hurt themselves? That’s beyond weird.

I can relate to that @Justme10 It feels like some sort of coping mechanism to laugh. DP and I have had a rough ride at some points in our lives but we still keep going and we are still smiling.

Personally I prefer to be laughed at if I've tripped or fallen. I can't stand people simpering and asking if I've hurt myself, even if I have, and for the poster above asking, I definitely have hurt myself before now. I have horses, and it's perfectly normal in horsey circles to laugh at someone falling off, or falling into a muck heap or any other idiotic but reasonably harmless event.

That said, if someone else has hurt themselves, I do revert to sympathy after an initial laugh or mockery (with friends - with strangers, I keep my stupid comments / laughter to myself!).

No I always feel bad for them. I never found it funny at school I thought they must be so embarrassed I would try to offer a kind smile.

There's a difference between a trip & a fall. A trip I laugh at, I mean I laugh at myself too. A fall I don't laugh at.

No, I don't find it funny.