I’m Probably Just Overly Sensitive…
I don’t subscribe to websites set up mainly to find humor in making fun of average Joes or Janes. Especially ones that post pictures of the innocent victims and create a community out of mocking them for being fat, or dressing poorly. However, almost everyone I know does so they either get emailed to me or I see them show up in my Feed Reader when other people share them out. But I try to ignore them because those things just make me uncomfortable.
Now, I’m no saint. I admit that I laugh at people sometimes. But I always feel like crap afterward. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old, like I say in my twitter, because I think I used to be more relaxed about such things. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been the Momma Cougar as Sarah put it, and seeing my kids get made fun of has made me less tolerant. And my family cracks up at those things all the time, I don’t judge them. And I know they’re not evil. Yet when I see the stuff? I simply cringe.
For example, when I saw this? I got defensive in my head. Because when I heard they were bringing the trophy to that Wal-Mart? I was jealous they weren’t coming closer to Huntsville. I would have totally been in that Wal-Mart seeing that trophy if it had not been so far away. And I’m not even an Alabama fan! Yes…I would have looked a little cuter than the people in line in that photo (maybe) but still…why make fun of those people? I saw that entry and I totally wanted to justify their excitement. (I can’t necessarily justify their appearance, sorry!) They’ve been waiting for their team to win the championship since 1992, they’re allowed to be goofy and excited. Why mock them for that? Most people have some sort of team they’ve been rooting for their whole lives. What if the Braves won the world series? Or the Browns won the Superbowl? Why is it wrong to be so excited about that?
But that’s not the point, is it. Websites like that make fun of everyone. And I’m just a fragile little flower that finds it very hard to laugh at people when I’ve been laughed at myself. Or when my kids have been and they’ve cried in my arms about it. So, tell me…is it just me? Am I just overly sensitive? (My husband is screaming, “YES!”) Or do you struggle with these websites too? I can’t even watch the audition weeks of American Idol because I’m too sensitive to the feelings of the ones that don’t make it. And if the judges actually laugh at the auditioners? I leave the room. CAN’T WATCH IT!
I’m topless and wearing monkey shoes. If you’re going to mock anyone, mock my mother. She dresses me funny.
I find public embarrassment totally cringe-worthy too. I’ll avoid any show that puts people down or points out their flaws in a mean way. That’s one reason American Idol never took off with me.
I have to say, I’m pretty similar to you on this topic. I get accused often of not having a sense of humor but I have a hard time enjoying others public humiliation. I do think that I can be a little oversensitive. It would be nice to find the happy medium somewhere…
I have to agree with you. I even get embarrased for characters on tv shows. I’ve been known to change the channel if I feel too embarrased. I don’t think it’s really a product of getting older, some of us are just more sensitive to other people’s feelings. Nothing wrong with that.
I completely agree and not just online. I have to switch radio stations whenever they’re airing any kind of prank call because I just can’t stand to listen.
Nope, you’re not too sensitive. I dislike anything that mocks or is cruel to people for entertainment. Add me to the list of those to can’t watch the Idol auditions, or shows like Punk’d (is that still on??), or visit the website you mentioned.
Ditto. Seriously. It makes me very uncomfortable and I have to walk away (in whatever manner fits the medium). I’m well aware that I could be the next person mocked.
I can’t watch American Idol for the exact same reason. Especially the audition shows. It is one thing to put someone on who looks funny, but sings great. It is a completely different thing to put people on there who they know are going to crash and burn just so they can be laughed at.
If you’re too sensitive, you’re certainly not alone. I can’t stand any of that stuff either. My stomach clenches and my throat gets tight and I just feel awful. But mocking people with professional stylists as done by the Fug Girls? THAT I can get behind.
OH! The Fug Girls? Totally different to me. First? Because they’re just making fun of their CLOTHES. And also? Most of them deserve it. (Hee!) But finally? Because even though they’re making fun of them? It’s still not usually mean spirited…to me anyway.
Yup, I cringe too. Making fun of people who don’t even know they’re being photographed just seems mean, no matter how ridiculously they are dressed…
Looks like I’m in the minority here, but my favorite website ever is probably lamebook.com, which definitely makes fun of people.
However, I justify it because they’re mocking what people are choosing to put online…on purpose! (Also, it’s just really hilarious).
You’re good hearted
I totally agree. I especially hate People of Wal Mart, because frankly if there’s anywhere you should be able to get cold medicine wearing slippers, a robe, and a santa hat, it’s Wal Mart.
Roll tide!
I’m with you, Zoot; I’ve actually replied to emails and asked people not to send me stuff I’ve deemed offensive. I have a hard time watching people fall on their faces or, like you said, be mocked, etc. I was teased plenty as a kid (Weren’t we all? If not, lie to me and say yes
) and don’t want to perpetuate what I know to be a terrible feeling and damaged self-esteem, etc. I was labeled “too sensitive” as a child, so perhaps I should be searching for a grain of salt around here. 
p.s. MONKEY SHOES!
Thanks for writing this, because I had not seen it in this light before. Every now and then I see that Awkward Family Photos site when it is shared and I do think it is funny. However, my family is the type where we would send in the photo ourselves and then sit around to mock it ourselves.
I needed to be reminded that not everyone enjoys self-deprecating humor!
I find the peopleofwalmart site to be particularly cruel because let’s be honest, it’s a site making fun of poor people. (Not that only poor people shop there, but it’s clear they are the target). I also just feel uncomfortable with the idea of people not knowing they were targeted and put on blast like that.
I generally avoid those sites too. I’m not super sensitive about them, but some of those sites make me feel icky.
Yeah, me too.
I totally agree. I can’t watch American Idol either. I have always hated those Candid-camera type shows too where the whole point is to cause someone embarassment. I can’t laugh at stuff like that. It feels too close to home I guess, from having been made fun of a lot myself when I was younger.
speaking of American idol, the pants on the ground guy….. I felt completely sorry for him, and if the age limit is 28 why did they send him out there, that was just mean.
I really don’t like the People of Wal-Mart site. I’m broke and shop at Wal-Mart a lot. I know that I probably wouldn’t be the target of that site, but really I don’t see a difference between the more disheveled customers and me. Besides, if I’m shopping at Wal-Mart out of necessity, chances are good that things are not swell in my life and I really don’t need some jerks on the internet making fun of me for it.
Like most of the other people who have commented I agree with you. There are times when i’m with my friends and they will laugh about something and if I don’t laugh they tell me I need to not be so serious and should get a sense of humor. Usually I just apologize for not wanting to be mean and then they stop and realize that is basically what they are doing. I can’t watch american idol because I feel bad for the people.
I can’t stand it and actively avoid those websites, so you can guess where I come out…
You might be way more sensitive about those kinds of things than I am, but I look at that site and think “how could they go out like that?” and admit I am afraid to shop in WalMart now for fear that I could end up on that site for whatever reason. Luckily, I’m a plain Jane these days and don’t attract any good OR bad attention, so I guess there’s that.
I do admit that I love one particular celebrity gossip site (Not Perez!) that makes fun of celebrities, but that’s mainly because they do some stupid things for the entire world to see, and the author just cracks me up, whether he’s making fun of someone or not.
Thank you for saying this. I recently came across that website and as funny as it can be, there’s this part of me that feels icky about it. You’re right, when did it become okay to put another human being’s image up where anyone can see it, for the express purpose of cruelly mocking that person?
I used to be the same, because I was mocked myself a LOT and I never wanted anyone to feel like I did.
Then, I thought about it. I still sometimes get laughed at for whatever reason, but now I’m completely honest and aware of anything laughable about me, and I can laugh about it too. So it is now very difficult to insult me because I’m really willing to admit my flaws. It makes me feel much more comfortable in myself, and I’m hoping that anyone who is made fun of will learn the same lesson. Not that I LIKE people being made fun of, but hopefully some of them will learn to laugh at themselves too.