Have you ever laughed when you probably shouldn’t have? Some of our British panellists have been discussing their experiences of inappropriate laughter, bringing to light those moments where unleashing a giggle or two just doesn’t go down well but, often, as the saying goes, ‘You had to laugh...otherwise you’d cry’.
The phenomena can apparently strike anywhere, at anytime, with many saying that all sorts of accidents really set them off, others can’t help but laugh at funerals and weddings while overly emotional scenes in films and television tickle some people, who just can’t take them seriously.
Many people can’t resist laughing at accidents or unfortunate events.
Others found landmark events in life such as funerals, weddings and engagements made them laugh, perhaps in part due to how emotionally charged such events can be.
Some people just can’t take emotional scenes in plays, movies, TV and yes, even real life, as seriously as they might have been intended…
Laughter is an important method of communication between people, often used as a signal for being part of a group, and research has indicated that infants as young as 17 days old have vocal laughing sounds or laughter. However, sometimes laughter occurs at times when it would not normally be expected due to the seriousness of the situation. Sigmund Freud’s ‘relief theory’ explains that this might happen because laughter releases tension which makes it a good coping mechanism for times of hurt, upset or anger.
