Why do people make bad jokes all the time?

[gnome]

Why do people make bad jokes all the time? Do they expect me to laugh? Why do they derail our conversation. There is this guy in my band and all he does is make REALLY bad jokes that are very unfunny. I don't even laugh anymore. I am not annoyed I am actually filled with despair.

I'm going to try to think of an example ...

Me : "So on this next beat we're going to do a "polka" beat with the kick on the downbeat." That is me talking to the drummer.
Bass player : "Hold on I'll put my bass down and go get the accordion."
Everyone : "..."
Me : "Ok.... so do you want to count us off?"

It's that basic thing every time. In fact he never gives a real answer to anything and every thing with him is a terrible joke that just derails productivity.

It goes beyond just bad jokes.

For example I'll be like
Me : "Do you have the tape from our last show so I can listen to it?"
Bass player : "Oh no let's wait for the drummer..."
Me : "We can just listen to it now and replay when he gets here..."

The reason I bring the tape thing up is because he's already listened it it on his own without us like 9000 times probably. Its like everything with him is an issue. It's almost like he wants me to argue or something. It's fucking annoying. It's not that I am blowing shit out of proportion it's that it never ends.


Trust me I have a sense of humor and I love to laugh. I love good jokes, but I hate how everything to him becomes a really bad joke. I don't know how to react sometimes. I guess I could just sit there with a blank look on my face.

 

[Trebuchet]

Why do people make bad jokes all the time? Do they expect me to laugh?

I can think of many possible reasons, but there's no way to guess which would apply, if any.

1. It amuses the bass player, and he doesn't really care if others are amused.
2. He mistakenly believes others are as amused as he is.
3. He doesn't have a very good filter for what he says: if he thinks it, he says it.
4. He feels awkward and wants desperately to belong, and it is caused by fear.
5. He hates it when other people talk and wants to be the one talking. The first things that come to mind to say are inane.
6. It is how he shows he likes people.
7. His family made bad jokes as a daily part of conversation, and he picked up the habit.
8. He has some growing up to do.
9. He hears people talk like that on TV and tries to imitate the ones he likes.

None of this excuses it. Making endless bad jokes is very annoying. At least it doesn't sound like endless put-downs, though.

 

[IssphitiKOzS]

I love corny stupid jokes, just for the fact that they don't take themselves seriously as jokes that are meant to be funny. Good one I saw recently "Everything unrelated to elephants is irrelephant" ... "..." Stupid enough? I died.

Jokes are about timing, quality isn't the issue with him, he just has horrible timing and doesn't know when to be serious. Guy needs a wake up call.

 

[gnome]

I love corny stupid jokes, just for the fact that they don't take themselves seriously as jokes that are meant to be funny. Good one I saw recently "Everything unrelated to elephants is irrelephant" ... "..." Stupid enough? I died.

Jokes are about timing, quality isn't the issue with him, he just has horrible timing and doesn't know when to be serious. Guy needs a wake up call.

I love corny jokes too if well timed as you said. The dude is already 30's so it might be way too late for a wake up call. He's probably already had the wake up call and is just doing it because he likes to.

I'm guessing the reason is this :
5. He hates it when other people talk and wants to be the one talking. The first things that come to mind to say are inane.

Why would someone want to be the one constantly talking? Is it an ego/power trip?

 

[IssphitiKOzS]

Haha, I have an alcoholic friend who does the same thing, can't say I know the cause.
Probably just an attention whore seeking your approval.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Bad jokes are the best. They're funny because they're not. Like "Your mama" jokes.

 

[EvilScientist Trainee]

^ Exactly. I enjoy making awfully bad jokes just for the lulz.

 

[The Gopher]

I tend to be the anti bad joke teller. As in you know that really obnoxious person everyone hates who makes bad jokes. (btw I like corny and bad jokes if told with proper timing[as in whenever someone mentions the cloudy with a chance of meat balls movie I say it was a bit cheesy]) anyhow I tend to annoy them. Just by not caring and pointing out everything they say in dry sarcasm as wrong and having better comeback lines than them.

 

[nexion]

I don't make jokes.

 

[Solitaire U.]

Life itself is a pretty bad joke, but there are about a million things within it I'd sooner take offense to.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

Why do people make bad jokes all the time?

I should know the answer to this.....but it seems I'm forgetting things.

At least he's not trying to be cryptic all the time.

 

[Jennywocky]

Why do people make bad jokes all the time? Do they expect me to laugh? Why do they derail our conversation. There is this guy in my band and all he does is make REALLY bad jokes that are very unfunny. I don't even laugh anymore. I am not annoyed I am actually filled with despair.

I'm going to try to think of an example ...

Me : "So on this next beat we're going to do a "polka" beat with the kick on the downbeat." That is me talking to the drummer.
Bass player : "Hold on I'll put my bass down and go get the accordion."
Everyone : "..."
Me : "Ok.... so do you want to count us off?"

It's that basic thing every time. In fact he never gives a real answer to anything and every thing with him is a terrible joke that just derails productivity.

It goes beyond just bad jokes.

For example I'll be like
Me : "Do you have the tape from our last show so I can listen to it?"
Bass player : "Oh no let's wait for the drummer..."
Me : "We can just listen to it now and replay when he gets here..."

The reason I bring the tape thing up is because he's already listened it it on his own without us like 9000 times probably. Its like everything with him is an issue. It's almost like he wants me to argue or something. It's fucking annoying. It's not that I am blowing shit out of proportion it's that it never ends.

Trust me I have a sense of humor and I love to laugh. I love good jokes, but I hate how everything to him becomes a really bad joke. I don't know how to react sometimes. I guess I could just sit there with a blank look on my face.

Is your bass player is an ISTJ?

Missing jokes entirely and/or literal (and thus unfunny) jokes can be an issue.

 

[warryer]

Is your bass player is an ISTJ?

Missing jokes entirely and/or literal (and thus unfunny) jokes can be an issue.

ISTJ would make sense but, not for the sake of being bad at jokes. My mother is an ISTJ and she is sharp at understanding them but, thinks they are a waste of time and effort (therefore doesn't tell them).

ISTJ have a need to do things a certain way. Once their mind is set on what that way is, there is no changing it unless you have facts and figures or a position of authority illustrating why. They are very controlling whether they mean to be or not. So maybe he needs this time to be light hearted and relaxing. He sets the mood as he sees fit.

I must say I do enjoy bad jokes though:

What did batman say to robin before getting in the bat mobile?
Robin get in the bat mobile.

Did you hear the one about the cannibal who dumped his girlfriend?

 

[nexion]

What did batman say to robin before getting in the bat mobile?
Robin get in the bat mobile.

This does not even register...

 

[Trebuchet]

What did batman say to robin before getting in the bat mobile?
Robin get in the bat mobile.

Good one, thanks. I needed a something funny.

 

[Stoic Beverage]

None of this excuses it. Making endless bad jokes is very annoying. At least it doesn't sound like endless put-downs, though.

I would prefer endless put-downs, actually. If someone puts me down, I find it a good bit of fun to try to quickly think of a clever response. If I'm put down by a friend, it's an invitation to a tongue-in-cheek battle of wits.

Put-downs lead to much more fun than bad jokes.

Edit:
Note difference between "bad" jokes and "corny" jokes, which can be great.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

OP, I think what you mean is : why do people craft situations intended to be humorous that end in failing in that regard when it comes to your ability to be amused.

In that sense, you should either become more susceptible to a greater amount of styles of humorous situations or you should inform people of your preferred style of humor.