Why do people think its okay to make fun of people?

No. Well it depends on if they can help the situation or not. But generally, no.

are you sure you’re answering the right question there @essieness?

It’s a weird way of making themselves feel better. By putting someone else down and pointing out their flaws, it makes that individual feel superior.
Sometimes it’s also a way to beat someone to the “put down punch”—that is, if I reject you then you can’t reject me.
This is not to say it’s okay to put other people down. Just my perspective on why some people engage in this kind of behavior.

@peyton_farquhar Oh… I don’t know why, but I thought the question said “is it ok to make fun of people?”... My bad.

Putting other people down makes people feel good about themselves. I guess it gives people an ego boost to know that they have some influence over another persons emotions. It’s not fair or right or nice, but that’s how it is.
Note: I’d like to make it clear that I’m not trying to make a generalization. I know there are people who don’t feel this way.

Are we talking about making fun of someone to his/her face?

I don’t think anyone (at least anyone with a conscience) thinks it’s ok to make fun of someone. But it’s fun for some people, and it makes them feel better about themselves, so they do it.

Some people will do anything for a laugh, and some people need to assure themselves of their own insecurities. Sometimes it really is all for comedy though.

but its still not right to do it…

Because many of us are insecure.

so your saying you put people down @AstroChuck

@AstroChuck

100% agree. thats what it boils down to.

okay? well just your insecure doesn’t mean you have to make others feel worse about themselves.

Because everyone needs to learn to laugh at themselves. I’m just helping them along. I have no need to make myself feel superior; afterall, I am not.

I’m sure there is a psychiatric reason somewhere, but, in my opinion, they do it cause they are insensitive a**holes with a greatly inflated sense of self worth.

If I want to laugh at myself I’ll do it, I don’t need or appreciate a cheerleader.

Because it is okay to make fun of people. I love making fun of people, and I don’t mind if other people make fun of me. People need to lighten up and laugh at themselves and others. Pointing out and laughing at the stupid things people do and say is an excellent pastime.

@pekenoe See, you do need it.

@girlofscience i 100% disagree with you. there are some people who have disorters and stuff and there going through a hard time… YOU don’t need to add to that. you may beable to make fun of your self but others are not as gifted as you

I think we need to establish the difference between making fun of a friend playfully (which I do and don’t think there is anything wrong with) and intentionally trying to hurt someone’s feelings or bring someone down.

Sometimes it’s a way to joke around with friends. I’m sure you’ve heard people say I am teasing you because I like you. And some people leave such a huge opening, it’s hard to resist.

Making fun of a disorder or disability of any kind is just plain cruel, and should not be done under any circumstance.

@essieness ; fluve because your first answer and the explination made me lol4rl!

wow real mature

@Judi Yeah, my brain isn’t functioning at full capacity yet today ;)

@Nichole ???

@essieness ; just sounds like something I would do.

I don’t think it’s okay to make fun of people. The only exception would be if someone is full of hubris, is a public person who has an effect on others, and is an ignoramus, then I can see making fun. And example might be ex-pres. Bush, who I would have no trouble making fun of, or enjoying others doing same.

no i don’t think making fun of bush is bad… its funny.

@essieness Probably because of all that weed you smoke. jk.

if you guys are trying to be funny its actually pathetic

@Nichole Stop making fun of us. It’s rude.

oh wow.. that was mean.. bahah.

@Nichole: I see you’re new here, and you’re not going to get off to a great start by calling some of the more established participants ‘pathetic.’ I’m having trouble even figuring out why you’re upset about the answers in this thread. Just because something isn’t ‘right’ doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. No one is making fun of you; they are simply trying to answer your question, which addresses why people have the perception that making fun of someone is okay, not whether they think it’s good or bad, right or wrong, or such. Relax – people are just trying to give some insight.

Sometimes there is just too much fodder.
My will is weak.

it’s better to make fun than to make boredom.
anyway, i don’t know. some people are immature. but i don’t think making fun of people/things/situations is always negative. sometimes it lightens things. if you can’t make things better, the least you can do is make them laughable.
that’s different than just being a jerk though. i mean, making fun of someone relentlessly and really upsetting them is not cool usually.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve been known to make fun of people here on occasion. Usually I try to make my fun-making indirect and amusing, and a little bit difficult to perceive, if you aren’t terribly perspicacious.

I use the Golden Rule here. If I wouldn’t mind if someone did that to me, then I’ll do it to them. However, I have modified the rule somewhat. If I think someone is really young, or just not knowledgeable to get it, I would pull my punches by making it more obvious what I am doing, or by being gentler.

I’m a big boy, so I can take the punishment that might be dished out here. I’ve been shut down by moderators and others before. Heck, I’ve even been wrong a time or two! ;-) That having been said, there are times when, due to my illness, I take things much more seriously than I should. I can’t see the fun-making. I think people are being straight up. These are times when I’m depressed or in a mixed state. I don’t know what the hell is going on, and at such times (which haven’t happened in many months, now), I tend to withdraw, sometimes after unleashing a series of pathetic questions designed to ask for attention without actually asking for it. I’ve found, generally, that the other who are like me, pick up on these things really quickly, and come to my aid, and for that, I am very grateful.

Here is my take on it:

Making fun of friends or family for what they do or say is all in good fun, and fine.
Making fun of the physical features (or anything beyond one’s immediate control) of friends or family is not ok.
Making fun of strangers is not ok.
Making fun of someone you know to be overly sensitive is just plain mean, no matter the circumstances.

I think it’s just plain wrong, and those of you who get pleasure making fun of others have my disdain and my pity.

It’s childish, mean, uncivil, derogatory, anti social, bad behavior.

I’ll give you a load of crap or tease you, but I will never make fun of you for any reason.

Anyone who does and thinks they are doing society and or an individual a favor is sadly mistaken.

Eh. You all suck.

@Nichole People can be mean.. especially on the internet. You need to grow a thicker skin to survive it. Many of us here on fluther have a dry sarcastic sense of humor, so don’t take it to heart. No one will be allowed to personally attack you here. It’s against our guidelines. So lighten up a little and have some laughs. We are not pathetic.

@Nichole – chill. Seriously, there are bigger things in life – don’t get this upset over things on this thread.

Now, about your question. If it’s laughing with them – not at them – fine. Never should someone make fun of another person at the expense of hurting their feelings. Now, when I walked into a sliding glass down and the complete face imprint on the glass – yeah, well – laugh away and some joking, was expected. The day my hair really started coming out due to chemo – probably not the best day to crack jokes. However, a few days later, when I was wearing a neon green wig – laugh away. Call me toxic girl – that is my chemo name – it’s fine. It makes things lighter.

Making fun of people to put them down, never ok. It’s never ok to make yourself happy, at the expense of someone’s feelings.