22/01/2026
Humour is always at someone’s expense.
Most humour is observational.
It notices human quirks, contradictions, awkward moments, and social missteps.
In other words, it notices us.
From a mental-health perspective, humour is one of the brain’s healthiest coping tools.
It reduces stress hormones, increases social bonding, and helps us process discomfort safely.
But there’s an uncomfortable truth. If humour offends everyone, it ceases to exist and its benefit disappears.
Why? Because humour only works when we briefly step outside of our “selves” and laugh at the human condition and that includes our own oddities. Goodness knows, I have plenty! 😂
Being the subject of humour doesn’t mean being devalued.
Often it means simply that you’ve been recognised.
Shared laughter says: “You’re human. So am I.”
A culture that removes humour in the name of protection may accidentally remove key components of what supports mental wellbeing. Resilience, perspective, connection.
Humour doesn’t ask us to ignore pain.
It invites us not to become imprisoned by it.
So maybe the question should move away from “Am I offended by that?” to “Can I can see the funny side of something without becoming melodramatic?” If you’ve reached that point - congratulations. You’ve crossed the bridge!
Because laughter, at its best, doesn’t divide.
It reminds us that we’re all navigating the same beautifully awkward experience called “being human”.
Go on, have a laugh! 😂
