People fall off a 'humor cliff' when they start working

businessinsider.com

32 points·ALee··8 comments

I wish the article would talk about the difference between laugh-evoking humour and sarcasm. I work in a project where sarcasm is often used. People don't laugh at it, it's not always clear how the "joke" is intended (especially across cultures), and it just tends to lower everyone's expectation in an accumulation of wry perspectives. Skimming the topic of sarcasm from Wikipedia, it's clear there are a lot of drawbacks.

The workplace is full of people ready to report you to HR. I can't say I'm enjoying the weather without fear of disciplinary action.

An interviewer once told me "You were selected because I liked a joke you put in your resume.", essentially telling me my application was a joke. Needless to say, I didn't get the job.

I've done a ton of interviews, and I wonder if someone is quoting some offhanded comment I made without thinking as some meaningful aspect of the interview.

Not saying that happened in your situation, but it's a reminder of the importance of our statements, I couldn't remember a single thing I've ever said in an interview, but someone else surely does.

I've noticed that I'm alot funnier on social media and get alot more responses when I'm in between jobs.

Author advises business person not to make others the butt of a joke, then makes fun of all business persons for not being funny and not understanding what a good metaphor is.

They advise that leaders should not make subordinates the butt of jokes. That's much more specific.

I just don't want to get fired / sued.

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