Welcome back, this week we are taking a look at “Joking Culture”. It seems that a joking culture is something that is formed among a smaller group of people that is created through shared experiences over time. The humorous references which are created organically over time among a group and can then be referenced and remembered as a means of future interaction.
How does a “joking culture” develop and what characteristics can be observed? It takes time and some amount of trust, I think, to develop the sort of camaraderie that becomes a joking culture as many of the common themes are remembered events such as a mistake or accident on one member's part, or a prank done by one, or some, to others of the group. These events reoccur, or come up again and again, and can be mentioned and commented on, often in an unkind way that is understood by the group to not be intended to hurt but as a sort of social ribbing, sometimes directed at a group member, at other times directed outside of the group at some perceived “other”. By looking at the jokings and the things remembered by the group we can see on what and where their concerns are focused. Other themes or references can range from a common concern or shared situation, shared ideologies, and even societal fears such as climate change or the fear of “losing my job to a robot”. The references used commonly within any given social group can also be seen to be a sort of framework for where the boundaries of the group are, where they are willing to go; before something is taken as insulting instead of just “joking around”.
I would normally interject some personal experiences or understanding into and even close this paper with something I hope to be relatable, to help others, and myself, have a fuller understanding of the subject but I am afraid I am truly the other in these observations. Most of the examples I found when trying to come up with some wonderful metaphor about this phenomena only served to remind me that the honest truth is that I have ever been the outsider. My childhood was terribly unstable, I went to a different school for each grade and sometimes even had to change schools in the middle of the school year. As a result, I was always the new kid, and when they realized in the 3rd grade that I was still the same height I was in kindergarten, the other students made sure to ridicule me for it right along with everything else they weaponized about my childhood to hurt me, to make sure I knew how different I was. By the time I started the 5th grade I was completely over attempting to interact socially with anyone other than adults and they did not joke with me, they presumed I would not understand. When I watch people on television or in a movie, when I see real friends in public places, and I see them laughing and joking and smiling, I always wonder what it feels like? What is it like to know people that joke with you? What is it like to be a part of a group of “like-minded” people? What does it mean that all of this is rather alien to me? Does it mean I will never have a friend group? That seems likely considering my age… Does it mean I will never connect to anyone in a way that humor allows?