by Alan Forray

Created on: May 07, 2009   Last Updated: May 19, 2009

Q: You know what I like about this recession?

A: Well, it's not your hairline?

Relax. It is a natural human response to crack jokes about difficult circumstances, hard times, and bad breaks.

True story . . .

A 911 call comes in reporting that a man has committed suicide in the living room of his home. The police and medical examiner's office are on the scene within minutes. Upon entering the victim's house, they find a heavy-set man hanging by the neck from a ceiling fan in front of his big-screen TV. The TV is tuned to the nightly business report. The man is quite obviously dead.

After a few moments, the medical examiner turns to the cop and says, "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Still staring at the man, the cop responds, "Yes . . . I'd sure like to know who installed that fan."

This is a classic example of dark, occupational humor, the kind of thing that is rampant right now on Wall Street, at the Treasury Department, and in many American homes. It is normal and healthy.

"Hi, Honey, I'm home. What's for dinner?"

"Well, we could eat your paycheck . . . if you had one."

"Hey! Did you hear about the discount broker who's waiving his fees on all transactions over $1000?"

"Isn't that sort of like the dentist offering "no charge" to the toothless homeless guy?"

"Oh. You heard it, already."

In the mid '70s, millions of Americans stood in long lines to put gas in their cars. It was the same thing back then.

"Can you believe we've been standing here for two hours?" says the attractive woman to the man in line behind her.

"It's dreadful," he answers." "Absolutely dreadful . . . but your tan line is exquisite."

The fact is, that humor of this type is not at all unusual, and is very much an appropriate response to adversity. It is the way we keep our spirits up when those gray skies of doom and gloom descend upon us. It is how we cope with our fear and uncertainty.

Right now, the only economic surplus in this world, it seems, is Recession Jokes and the comedians reaping the rewards. There are as many one-liners about these hard economic times, as there are people who've been laid-off, business shut-down, and industrial giants on the brink.

"Hey! Did you hear the one about the disgruntled UAW shop steward who tried to blow-up a Chrysler? . . . he burned his lips on the catalytic converter."

So, when do these "sick jokes" go too far?

In this environment I'm not sure it's possible to overdo it. I suppose it would go too far if you combined the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Swine Flu, and the New York Yankees.

Then again, it is pretty much impossible to go too far when it comes to making fun of the Yankees. (Know what I mean?)

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