65. Do you think practical jokes can be harmful? Why/Why not??

I feel that practical jokes can be both harmful and not harmful, depending on the extent to which the joke is carried out.
Wherever you are, be it in school or when you are working, there is bound to be times when people pull pranks, crack jokes, and make fun of one another in the means of creating entertainment for people around them or just themselves. Sometimes people simply play practical jokes on others just because it has become part of their hobby, or because their aim is to embarrass the ‘target’.
Practical jokes are not harmful when the purpose of the ‘joker’ is just to provide entertainment for others. That is also provided that the person on whom the joke is to be carried out on does not mind being the ‘target’ in the first place and that the joke is not carried overboard. Jokes can help to reduce the level of stress during stressful situations such as before exams. Practical jokes can also help to lighten the atmosphere during tense situations such as during a meeting. This way, people tend to be more open with their comments or opinions and will not be too concerned on how others look at them. People enjoy interacting with other people who are willing to just be themselves and with those who are able to engage with others easily with whatever they say. This is usually done through small jokes as the jokes will help make the conversation more fun-filled and enjoyable for everyone. Practical jokes can often cheer people up as well.
However, practical jokes can be harmful when it gets carried overboard. That is the case when people tend to make fun of just one particular person, and thus this might eventually be termed as bullying. This is especially so when the person whom the joke is intended on does not express his or her unhappiness. When this happens, the ‘target’ will most probably feel upset and keep his or her unpleasant feelings inside and not tell others, fearing that it will upset the mood of the atmosphere. The ‘joker’ will feel more complacent and think that everyone’s (including him or herself) enjoying the joke and thus continues with it. This will result in depression of the ‘target’ to a worse extent.
No matter how much laughter or fun people can receive from a practical joke, it is still wise to consider all parties and not let others feel hurt or upset over what the joke is intended upon. Practical jokes can be both good and bad, depending on the situation and the type of joke. Whatever it is, everything and everybody has a limit. However high a person’s tolerance level may be, it is still best to have a limit to everything and of course to every joke. If not, a friendly joke might just turn a person into an ugly monster.

-xx