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People like to say that everything is too divisive these days . . . but one thing has ALWAYS been divisive: April Fools’ Day pranks.
In a poll, 46% of people say they find April Fools’ Day pranks “amusing,” while 40% find them “annoying.” For the other 14%, it’s a case-by-case thing. So it’s got to be GOOD . . . not stupid.
One other thing that makes April Fools fun and not annoying: Following the unofficial rules of April Fools’ Day. They are:
1. The Noon Deadline. This has been a guideline for a while, but it doesn’t always get mentioned: The fooling stops at NOON, and any “pranks” must be revealed by then.
Anyone who attempts a prank after midday is considered the “April Fool” themselves. In some areas, there’s the old rhyme: “April Fools’ Day’s past and gone . . . you’re the fool for making one.”
2. Do No Harm. April Fools’ pranks are meant to make people look foolish or inconvenienced, not to cause genuine distress or be destructive. And that’s both to people AND to property.
So, avoid causing anxiety, like fake health issues . . . telling someone that a beloved pet is missing . . . or pretending they got fired from work.
3. Reveal the Prank. A successful prank should be followed by the reveal . . . this marks the end, and clarifies that the situation was a joke. And again, traditionally this is supposed to happen by noon. It’s bad to force someone to deal with a prank until THEY realize that they must have been fooled.
Also, they DO need to end, without any long-term consequences.
4. No Illegal Activities. This should go without saying, but certain people need to be reminded that April 1st is not an excuse to break the law, like stealing someone’s stuff.
5. Target Wisely. It’s smart etiquette to play pranks on people you know well, like friends, family, or close coworkers . . . and people who will appreciate the humor. It isn’t worth riling up people who are thin-skinned, and can’t take a joke. And it’s mean to do it to strangers.
The most common reaction to a prank is to smile and say, “That was a good one.” But watch out, 3 in 10 people will respond by pranking YOU back.
