2007-02-27 11:14:51 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Depends....if you have the finesse to add just a bit of humor to serious situation or vice versa that is grace. But if you mean the in over your head nervous thing that happens then getting silly in a serious situation is by FAR WORSE. I lost it at a funeral once...I wanted to comment on the urn but the only word I could think of was casket... and it came out something like isn't that a lovely little basket? to which I got a horrified look and my brain was trying feverently to figure out what I had said wrong... while the person I was standing next to began explaining it wasn't a basket because it had some sort of screw top lid which put a visual in my head...and soon I was tearing up and giggling and covering my face with kleenex and since I wasn't really close to the deceased I tried to exit but people were insistant on stopping to console me which kept making it funnier...especially if I tried to say the word basket... llike I didn't mean to say basket I know its an urn... omg ... of course my daughter had witnessed my faux paux and was avoiding eye contact... by the time I spotted her in the crowd we both began to laugh and all I could do was hit the exit.... apologies it you were there......
2007-02-27 18:36:42 · answer #1 · answered by Sweetserenity 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh boy. If you err on the side of humor in a situation that calls for being serious, you are going to stand out like a 300-foot-antenna in a Nebraska wheat field.
If, on the other hand, you are quiet and overly serious in a funny situation, the chances are that nobody is going to notice; or if they do notice, they're probably just going to to think maybe you have a headache or gas or something.
So I guess it depends on whether you want to get noticed or not. It also depends, to some extent, how forgiving you think the people around you will be if you crack jokes in a situation that calls for seriousness.
Humor can be a good thing in a serious situation, but I think you have to use tact and gage your audience. If someone is going to be hurt by your attempt at levity, I think it's better to err on the side of compassion and pass up any opportunities to be the life of the party.
2007-02-27 19:24:28 · answer #2 · answered by Karin C 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Overly serious in a funny situation. I'm not stating this from an etiquette point of view, but rather a purely personal preference.
2007-02-27 19:46:01 · answer #3 · answered by castle h 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably overly humorous in a serious situation is worse.
2007-02-27 20:03:22 · answer #4 · answered by papricka w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being overly serious in a funny situation. If the world could just lighten up a little bit, it'd be a much happier place.
I have my serious moments, but I snap out of it quickly. =)
2007-02-27 20:04:04 · answer #5 · answered by -:- Masha -:- 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being overly serious. Laughter is the best medicine, and makes everything better. It's been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, heart rate... and laughing just makes you feel better. Even smiling helps. Whereas seriousness causes ulcers, stress, high blood pressure, and several physical aliments. Only be serious if you HAVE to be.
2007-02-27 19:21:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a time and place for every emotion. Some would feel laughing at a funeral would be inappropriate. I, however, would wish for many laughs and good times at mine(after my last rights were read) But sometimes, being serious is a good defense mechanism for one who merely wants to keep people on the edge of their seats.
2007-02-27 19:20:31 · answer #7 · answered by 35 YEARS OF INTUITION 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
being overly humorous in a serious situation is way worse
2007-02-27 19:22:42 · answer #8 · answered by karli r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh man, i love doing both!
but people seem to be bothered MORE when i'm serious in a funny situation, probably because when i humor up a serious situation, it always works
2007-02-27 19:17:46 · answer #9 · answered by Jim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
over serious in a funny situation. haha.
2007-02-27 19:27:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anthony 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋