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?

[quote Tower134]@Bagelsandbrie totally agree with what you are saying. I am dyspraxic. I fall over a lot. I have broken my ankle twice falling downstairs. I have spent my life people finding my falls "amusing" and it's not.[/quote]

I have a huge aversion to feeling embarrassed and go out of my way to avoid any situation where I may be laughed at. I find it really difficult to shrug it off and I react angrily/defensively to being laughed at or teased so falling over in public is a nightmare for me. I’m neurodivergent but I don’t know if that has anything to do with it - maybe I’m just uptight

I don’t find falling over funny at all. Thankfully when I stumbled in the street and tore the ligaments in my ankle last summer people nearby were lovely and helped me sit down in a bus shelter.

I think that saying people who find others falling are low key disturbed is a bit much.

I don’t find people tripping over funny at all, and I hate ‘You’ve been framed’. If I have the misfortune to watch that programme and someone is falling over etc I feel a sort of electric shock going through my body.

I’m quite sensitive on this one as my mum had a few falls in shops /public before she went into care, it devastated me seeing my mum suffering and totally shocked and if I saw someone laughing I would be massively upset, luckily I didn’t encounter any unkind people.

I hope it never happens to you then you’d know how horrible it feels

I think I made it plain in my post that I suppress the urge to laugh. If anyone else did the same for me, I would be content.

Anyway, I'm verging on elderly, and the last time I went flying, I received nothing but concern (which was embarrassing in itself as I just wanted to be free to wail and stamp my feet in humiliation) so I am probably safe.

The fact you are suppressing it does not make any difference I’m afraid

There is a difference between seeing an elderly person falling and possibly doing themself an injury and your mate tripping up because they are having a clumsy moment or are a bit pissed.

No
It’s not funny ever to whomever it happens to IMO

Generally no, unless there's a particular slapstick element to it.

I remember years ago someone at work falling over. She tried to save herself by grabbing the water cooler but ended up doing a weird tottery waltz with it. Everyone held their breath and there was sea of faces as the pair of them wobbled around. After what seemed like an age she sort of stopped trying and slid slowly to her knees while clinging desperately to the cooler.

And the time my friend was hit by a flying onion at a festival.

They were both hilarious but we were all in our 20s. I think as you get older and move into 'had a fall' rather than tripping up territory it gets more scary than funny.

Having broken bones tripping over 4 times I don't really find it funny tbh. Now I really am heart scared of falling and breaking something else. I really feel for people if it happens to others as well plus have had a few hospital trips with my DM due to her falling. Think it's different watching slapstick on TV which has been contrived.

Yes, so long as the person isn't hurt. I love You've been framed.

[quote Tower134]@Bagelsandbrie totally agree with what you are saying. I am dyspraxic. I fall over a lot. I have broken my ankle twice falling downstairs. I have spent my life people finding my falls "amusing" and it's not.[/quote]
I was diagnosed with dyspraxia last month at 31 years old and it explains a lifetime of clumsiness (along with all the other cognitive/executive function difficulties I have).

Yesterday was a particularly bad day and I couldn’t keep a grip on anything I picked up. It’s really frustrating and people laughing don’t help the situation. I have weak joints and very often roll my ankles or my knees give out as I’m walking down stairs.

it's actually quite frightening to fall or trip, even if you don't go over.
at that split second of being pitched forward at the wrong angle, it can be terrifying, and if landing on the ground very painful.
even if not painful, the sudden fear is a kind of injury.
to lack any empathy for that, and find it funny, is a sign of immaturity at best, sociopathy ? at worst.
being entertained by another's misfortune, really ?
maybe this ought to be a question on dating sites, or part of personality tests for certain jobs.
maybe would have to be acted out by expert tumblers, to get genuine reaction.

@ProfYaffle I am actually laughing reading your post. I can’t help it.

Sociopathy

It’s not only elderly people that can get hurt falling

Really @SappysCurry? That hadn’t occurred to me.

@Jahebejrjr

There is a difference between seeing an elderly person falling and possibly doing themself an injury and your mate tripping up because they are having a clumsy moment or are a bit pissed.

Really that’s not what your post says

@CryptoFascist

No, I find it disturbing when people laugh at someone hurting themselves.

So do I. What is wrong with them?

[quote Jahebejrjr]@ProfYaffle I am actually laughing reading your post. I can’t help it.[/quote]
Dear god.

@SappysCurry Do you take everything in life so literally?

In real life, I can't recall ever finding it funny -- though I must admit I do love those gifs of runway models tripping on the catwalk. Just something hysterical about the cool model strut ending in a clumsy fall.

[quote Jahebejrjr]@SappysCurry Do you take everything in life so literally?[/quote]
Think you need to look up the word "literally" when you've stopped clutching your sides and crying with laughter.

Dear god indeed. If no one is hurt it can be funny. It doesn’t make you a sociopath