Why don't some people "get" most jokes that are told that everyone else around seem to find hilarious?

Question

As far back as I can remember, I have shied away from places and/or people who are telling jokes. Not out of fear, but perhaps embarassment and frustration. So often, someone will tell a joke, everyone around starts laughing, then often the rest of the people will chime in with jokes of their own, and everyone is laughing but me.

It's not because they are laughing at me, but because often I am aware that what is going on is joke telling, that there is usually a punch line and it is supposed to be funny, and it usually is to everyone else. Sometimes, I "get" the punchline, but simply do not find any humor in it. Other times, someone will start to tell me (or a group of us) what I think is a story or anectdote of something that happened to them, or a friend of theirs, or maybe even something that was in the news - in other words, a true story - I listen, and often feel sad or sorry for what had happened to the person, when I find out, usually only because everyone else is laughing

that it was only a joke. That's when I feel really stupid and embarassed. I have done a lot of studying and researching what information I have been able to find on the subject over the years, only to find that there has apparently not been enough research done on it to help me.

I have read in enough places to believe at least this part, that it has something to do with that people who have suffered some damage to the brain's frontal lobe seem to have trouble with jokes. But if this is the case, if I have some sort of damage in my brain, how did it happen? And in other areas of my life, it makes no sense.

I am not normally regarded as stupid. I graduated high school with a 4.00 average, and although other circumstances kept me from furthering my education, I don't feel mentally impaired in any other way. But if that's not it, what could it be? It even cost me a bartender job that I was doing well at in all other aspects except for not being able to entertain my customers.

Answer 1

I'm the same way....I don't like "jokes." I have a sense of humor, but I just find that most "jokes" are not funny.

Answer 2

remember the song, "...maybe i was absent or (i) was listening too fast...?"
that might be the reason you "miss" the punchline sometimes. just go with the tide, don't go ahead of the story. or, it could be your IQ level is higher than the rest... be patient!
By the way, that line comes from the song, "Aubrey"

Answer 3

PRICK