A Joke?

Posted bywriterravenclawPosted inWeekly Word PromptsTags:

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/sunday-poser/

Can I take a joke? It depends on who and what it is. If it is my husband, family, or best friends; yes. If it is work colleagues, or acquaintances. It is a firm no.

Part of this could be that I could be autistic. I have never received a diagnosis, but when I completed training for my job, there are many traits I share. Being nervous around people, people watching to see what their reactions are, and masking my true feelings by being too loud or quiet are all signs.

Girls go undiagnosed because autistic tests are more aimed at boys.

You hear it all the time. Oh, but it was only a joke. If it ends up hurting the person. Sorry, no, it isn’t. For instance, if you are at school and another child throws your stuff out of your bag, or says something mean, then that is bullying.

Even at work, there is a fine line, and just because someone laughs with you, when something ‘‘funny’’ has been said, doesn’t suggest they are not feeling dreadful. We all make mistakes, whether is when we talk, or through our actions. It is easy to join in, but sometimes watch that person – see their real reaction under the mask of laughter.

That being said, I can laugh at myself. If I trip over, I am the first to giggle. Shared laughter brightens our day. When my granddaughter, looked me straight in the eye and said, ”Grannie, I think you should do the washing up”, I couldn’t help but grin.

I like jokes, but not if they are at the expense of someone else.

Published by writerravenclaw

I am a fifty something mother of two grown up children, and one beautiful grandchild. I have been married for nearly thirty-four years. My first book was published ten years ago. I wrote my book Sticks and Stones because of my experience of being bullied at school.

8 thoughts on “A Joke?”

  2. You’re very right that there’s no justification for being nasty or mean. Joke is no longer a joke if it hurts someone. Thanks for making this very important point and sharing it with us

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  5. The autism tests remark isn’t entirely true Diana – l remember years ago having a discussion on this very subject with Tony Attwood , although l can see from your perspective why you might think it is and understand as well – but mostly because Autism is displayed differently in boys and men than it is in females.

    Females are much better at masking their behavioural traits than the opposite sexuality and women, girls are so advanced in their years to males that they unbeknowingly much of the time hide their own autism from even themselves and it is usually only as the girls and women age that they are unable to hide their traits for too long. By the time they are older and aged differently again their ability to test changes.

    I am not denying that at times there is more bias with regards to women on the spectrum and more so in the UK, but equally, women are under so much pressure to conform to a specific way of being seen by society that many woemen and girls find it almost embarassing to suggest they might be on the spectrum to their peers.

    There are some excellent books for females and autism on the market:

    These are the ones l have read so you might find them interesting and helpful.

    Odd Girl Out – Laura James

    Women and Girls with Autism – Sarah Hendrickx

    The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide – Siena Castellon.

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