Sexist Jokes and Comments

[Don Barzini]

Does is not therefore follow that the telling of sexist jokes or the making of sexist comments displays an underlying sexism or acceptance of sexism?

No it does not, because a joke is just that - a joke.

 

[chrisd]

I posted a couple of weeks ago about a women who was on the One Show on BBC and put her hand on the thigh of the male guest sitting next to her on a number of occasions during the interviews, and they most definitely were not 'together'

If the boot was on the other foot I doubt he'd ever work again!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

No it does not, because a joke is just that - a joke.

Just because it’s classed as a joke doesn’t mean it can’t be offensive to some people - it all depends on context , the audience and were it is aimed at

Believe NWJ had it spot in regards jokes about disabilities- if you are at a gig and a comedian is making jokes about disabilities etc then it’s hard for someone to take personal offence but if someone deliberately aims a joke at someone with a disability then it very much crosses the line into offensive

That’s the same with religion and sex etc etc

All about the context and audience and were it’s aimed - just saying “it’s only a joke” doesn’t give someone carte blanch to say what ever they want

 

[FairwayDodger]

Very hard to respond on this thread as it’s ranged quite widely but as usual it seems to be the demographic who are rarely the butt of “offensive jokes” that seem the most vexed on the subject.

IMO context and quality of the joke is everything and separates comedy from bullying.

FWIW, if I hear a person telling a sexist joke I think that person is most likely sexist, a racist joke more often than not they’re a racist, homophobic joke.. etc etc

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Very hard to respond on this thread as it’s ranged quite widely but as usual it seems to be the demographic who are rarely the butt of “offensive jokes” that seem the most vexed on the subject.

IMO context and quality of the joke is everything and separates comedy from bullying.

FWIW, if I hear a person telling a sexist joke I think that person is most likely sexist, a racist joke more often than not they’re a racist, homophobic joke.. etc etc

With putting etc etc Karen, I can’t believe there is a person alive today that isn’t most likely a .........something, is there anybody that clean cut?

If you over hear part of a conversation and the part you hear is the joke not the context, would it be fair for you to label that person?

 

[ColchesterFC]

I posted a couple of weeks ago about a women who was on the One Show on BBC and put her hand on the thigh of the male guest sitting next to her on a number of occasions during the interviews, and they most definitely were not 'together'

If the boot was on the other foot I doubt he'd ever work again!

Can't post a link as I'm on my Kindle but if you want to see what the reaction is when the situation is reversed try googling "Adam Sandler and Claire Foy on Graham Norton"

I haven't seen either incident so can't say how similar they are. Was only reminded about it after Chris's post.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Have to say not a great lover of jokes or comedians generally and wasn't to sure what would be classed as a sexist joke to be completely honest.

So googled for some, found this link:-

http://www.laughfactory.com/jokes/sexist-jokes

Assuming this is representative of what you mean by a sexist joke, cant say I find them offending or why they should be, as they are what they are a joke, and not meant as an insult or aggressive or directed directly at someone. I have no problem with people making jokes the other way and some of those jokes are.

As for opening doors, I do it for either sex, as someone said its good manners and polite. What naffs me off is when you do open the door and the person does not say thanks, just plain rude not to.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

One of the funniest comedians I can remember was Les Dawson. I see clips now and he still has me rolling about. Endless mother in law and wife gags, all sexist, but none of them nasty. All said with warmth and humour. If you want to be offended by that then feel free but blimey your life must be miserable.

It's very rare I agree with what Ricky Gervais says but his comment posted earlier summed it up for me.

Door opening. I've always done it irrespective of who is walking through the door. That is plain good manners.

 

[FairwayDodger]

With putting etc etc Karen, I can’t believe there is a person alive today that isn’t most likely a .........something, is there anybody that clean cut?

If you over hear part of a conversation and the part you hear is the joke not the context, would it be fair for you to label that person?

No but I didn’t say I’d “label” the person, was only trying to point out what I would think about them.

 

[Lazkir]

No but I didn’t say I’d “label” the person, was only trying to point out what I would think about them.

Surely if you 'think' that someone is sexist/racist/homophobic, then that's the same as labelling them?

 

[FairwayDodger]

Surely if you 'think' that someone is sexist/racist/homophobic, then that's the same as labelling them?

Not by my understanding of those terms, no.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Do you think Jo Brand is sexist? Her career has been based around "men are stupid" gags. The same goes for a number of other female stand ups.

 

[Don Barzini]

Just because it’s classed as a joke doesn’t mean it can’t be offensive to some people - it all depends on context , the audience and were it is aimed at

Believe NWJ had it spot in regards jokes about disabilities- if you are at a gig and a comedian is making jokes about disabilities etc then it’s hard for someone to take personal offence but if someone deliberately aims a joke at someone with a disability then it very much crosses the line into offensive

That’s the same with religion and sex etc etc

All about the context and audience and were it’s aimed - just saying “it’s only a joke” doesn’t give someone carte blanch to say what ever they want

I thoroughly agree with you. The post you quoted me on was in direct response to the question over whether someone who laughs at a sexist/racist/homophobic joke is automatically sexist/racist/homophobic. They aren't. It's as simple as that.

Regarding causing offence, yeah of course context is everything. If you're just sharing a joke with like-minded mates down the pub, or you're a comedian on stage then fine. But if you're using these jokes to deliberately target, offend or upset someone, then of course it's not on.

I'd never agree with the argument that certain joke matter should be completely off limits, all the time. Just about any joke you can think of - even the cleanest and most innocent - could cause offence to someone, somewhere at some time. You'd have to argue all jokes are off limits if you want to argue that certain subject matter is. (Not that I think you are arguing that, liverpoolphil!)

 

[Slime]

So we know what's in the news these days relating to this whole area. So what is your tolerance to those who make such comments; tell such jokes; show such videos...

And let's not pretend that golfers are such gentlemen that we've not been confronted by them. Lads on golf tour...?

If it's a joke, I'll tell them and listen to them ..................... and if they're funny, I'll laugh at them.

Ah - but should you be offended - even if the joke does not offend is the behaviour and thinking that says its OK to tell the joke acceptable. Should it matter whether you are offended or not if the joke or comment is sexist?

Not if the intent is that of purely humour. It's largely about context.

You can't beat a good sexist, racist or homophobic joke. Bloody PC do gooders ruining it for everyone

I'm with you there, Dave.

Personally, I don’t think any subject matter is “off limits” as far as a joke is concerned. As long as it’s just that - a joke. i.e not said with the deliberate intention to upset someone.

But as others have said already, you do have to know your audience if you’re going to crack such jokes in the workplace, or wherever.

The terminally offended brigade do annoy me though, when they get all uppity if they hear something they think offends others and call for it to be “banned”. Ricky Gervais had it right when he said “Dear offended people. Just because you’re offended it doesn’t make you right. Sincerely, everyone else.”

Now that made me laugh because it is absolutely spot on.

Very hard to respond on this thread as it’s ranged quite widely but as usual it seems to be the demographic who are rarely the butt of “offensive jokes” that seem the most vexed on the subject.

IMO context and quality of the joke is everything and separates comedy from bullying.

FWIW, if I hear a person telling a sexist joke I think that person is most likely sexist, a racist joke more often than not they’re a racist, homophobic joke.. etc etc

I must be all of those terrible things because I tell/listen to all those sorts of jokes, I even joke about myself for goodness' sake!! I, actually, don't think I'm any of those ......ists, because I'm not. It really is that simple.
I'm not sdure people can be judged and pigeon-holed on the basis of a joke.
Family Guy, superb programme ..................... what does that make me?

 

[FairwayDodger]

I think this is so wideranging and nuanced that theres a lot of talking at cross purposes going on. So before I slope out of the discussion I just want to say that when talking about sexist jokes I’m not thinking about dumb blonde or mother in law type stuff. Instead I’m thinking about cruel, sexually demeaning, rape jokes etc.

I do like family guy BTW, not a fan of Rickie gervais just not my type of humour and not sure about Jo brand; has been a long time since I saw anything of her. I think the “stupid man” trope tends to be pretty tired and unfunny much the same as Irish jokes, dumb blonde etc but not offensive.

And on that note, I think this is a subject easier discussed in person than in a forum so I will move on!

 

[Mark_Aged_42]

All I want to know is when does Loose Women get cancelled. You cannot get more sexist than that programme has been over the years.

Wrong! try Womens Hour on Radio 4. They even decided that the worst place to be a woman in the UK was - Islington!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Wrong! try Womens Hour on Radio 4. They even decided that the worst place to be a woman in the UK was - Islington!

Ha ha. On what basis did they come to that decision? I thought Islington was very trendy and happening, no issues with sexism there you would think.

 

[Captainron]

I am someone who is extremely difficult to offend. I myself have been known to overstep 'boundaries' that others place on their own morality on numerous occassions but I don't lose sleep over it.

My moral compass is good enough for me but not everyone.

I am happy to take the mick out of politics, religion, gender etc but I usually pick my audience.

 

[Kellfire]

I am someone who is extremely difficult to offend. I myself have been known to overstep 'boundaries' that others place on their own morality on numerous occassions but I don't lose sleep over it.

My moral compass is good enough for me but not everyone.

I am happy to take the mick out of politics, religion, gender etc but I usually pick my audience.

Yep, sums me up I think. I'll make a joke out of pretty much anything and everything.

 

[Liverbirdie]

A bigger discussion, but Ive noticed that work places are (in some ways) far more sterile and boring places these days.

Glad that the initiation ceremonies for apprentices, slapping females bums, daily sick jokes are very unusual nowadays, as well as much more.

BUT for heavens sake I think in lots of ways we have gone too far the other way. I predict any forms of laughter, jokes, witty asides being banned from the workplace in the next 10 years, or at least you will have to wear a hi-vis green (or orange) tabard when telling jokes in the future, and a flow-chart will have to be drawn up explaining the joke.

Is it any wonder stress levels in the workplace are on the way up?