12/08/2025
Lt General David Morrison in response to sexual degradation, misconduct and misogyny in the military -
“ The standard we walk by is the standard we accept”.
Paramedic Sophie reminds us of this in her post.
“ If we excuse it-we endorse it”.
Ignoring or tolerating bad behavior makes you complicit, and tacitly signals approval of a toxic culture in your organization.
“Just Joking” Is Still Harmful… unprofessional… and destructive.
Every EMS department has that guy.
The one who makes everything a punchline.
The one who tears others down and hides behind,
“Relax — I’m just joking.”
“That’s just how he is.”
“He’s sarcastic, don’t take it personally.”
But sarcasm isn’t harmless when it silences people.
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Humor That Hurts Isn’t Culture — It’s Control
A new EMT asks a question → laughter.
A medic shares an idea → a jab that lands like a slap.
Someone feels proud of doing well → “Calm down, hero.”
Those “jokes” don’t build confidence — they steal it.
Good providers start shrinking.
They stop speaking up.
They stop believing they belong.
And when people stop contributing — patients pay the price.
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If We Excuse It, We Endorse It
When leadership says “That’s just how he is,” what they really say is:
His comfort matters more than your dignity.
Culture erodes not because of one bully —
but because everyone else is told to tolerate it.
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The Standard Must Be This:
If it tears someone down, it isn’t funny.
Call it out. Coach it out. Cut it out.
Make it safe for people to be proud, speak up, and grow.
Because the strongest voices in EMS
should be the ones lifting others higher —
not laughing while they knock them down.
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If your humor depends on hurting someone else, the joke’s already failed.