>>I guess then that we differ. If someone makes me laugh I don't consider who did it (that would be discriminatory :-})
>>
>>Maybe the person's motivation is not to make you laugh. Maybe their motivation is to insult you...
>
>So if someone who is a member of a group to which you belong tells a joke at the expense of that group you might find it funny but if the same joke was told by someone who is not a member of the group then you might consider it an insult - or at least assume that their motivation was to insult you? Paranoia is too strong a word but I do find that odd.
>

It isn't so unusual, though. For instance, blacks will poke fun at themselves but a white person better not do it.

Even closer to home, the FoxPro-ers among us can make mordant jokes about the future of VFP and it will be taken in fun. A VB developer saying the same things will get a more hostile reaction.