Laughter Heals all wounds, can it save me?

[Yoda]

It is amazing how in a tense moment if someone tells a good joke or does something funny how the tension is relieved. My wife and I have survived over 25 years because of it. I create laughter (sometimes unintentionally) frequently at home and at work. I guess I might be what was called the class clown. I have heard that if you tell the officer a good joke there is a good chance you can get out of a speeding ticket.

Sometimes at work I have to look at disturbing photographs and read disturbing accounts, some people cannot stomach these. The best coping mechanism is laughter. When I read tense discussions on this forum I always want to throw in a good joke.

Here is the question: can laughter save you in a self defense situation? If I can make the bad guy laugh will he let me go or otherwise be disarmed?

It's really easy for me; all I have to do is start to dance, he will be rolling on the floor holding his stomach. I grew up in the 70's..

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[gunthorp]

To the BG's "stayin' alive"

[joker1]

Can a joke save you? It will vary with each scumbag you encounter but it can't hurt to try.

[Inspector71]

If I was a BG with the mindset that I'm going to take you down and you started shaking and wetting your pants I might smile

[MrBuckwheat]

Some BGs might get a laugh out of my "short barrel" But I believe it will do the trick> (sorry)

[HotGuns]

A good laugh might not save you, but it may allow enough of a distraction so that you can save yourself.

[retsupt99]

When confronted during an attempted robbery, I doubt that your 'joke list brain cells' will be clicking to full capacity.OMO

[tiwee]

Try this one on the next robber. So the robber sticks up a guy and his parrot. The parrot keeps repeating "Jesus is going to get you." "Jesus is going to get you." Finally the robber says what is your name wise guy. The parrot says "Moses." What dummy named you Moses? The parrot says the same dummy that named the rottweiler Jesus.

[paaiyan]

Can a joke save you? It will vary with each scumbag you encounter but it can't hurt to try.

I disagree. You never know which BG might just take it as an affront and off you for being "disrespectful" to them.

[joker1]

I disagree. You never know which BG might just take it as an affront and off you for being "disrespectful" to them.

True, I wouldn't add it to my list of strategies and tactics.

[WHEC724]

When confronted during an attempted robbery, I doubt that your 'joke list brain cells' will be clicking to full capacity.OMO

Call me a stick-in-the-mud, but I just plan on shooting the guy that tries to kill me.

[wmhawth]

I always just lay this on 'em:

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

After that line I let Mr Glock do the comedy routine.

[sdprof]

Point at his crotch and laugh.

That should give you time to draw while he looks down.

[Mike1956]

I would prefer magic tricks to a comedy routine, like making a Glock appear out of thin air. Nothing up my sleeves...

[Yoda]

If someone sees me they will call 911 thinking I am having a seizure.