April Fools Day

[VanessaTony 3,567]

So my SIL pulled an "April Fools" joke on me today but didn't do it until 5pm.. making her the fool due to the "jokes before midday" rule otherwise you're the fool. So I told her that it was after midday and she didn't understand... that's when I found out that no-one knows about that rule here in the US.

So I googled. I found a few threads that quoted something about how the midday rule is a joke made by some guy called Reeman and anyone who believes the midday rule is a fool and then they post a link to a page called "museum of hoaxes". (here's an example of what is quoted: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090401034115AAlPqjk )

Here's my issue. April fools day in itself is about pranks and hoaxes so of COURSE it's listed on the hoax website. The origin of the quote in the thread I linked cannot be located. I cannot find any evidence of this Reeman person. I cannot find any record of this midday rule being a prank except direct quotes of this Reeman thing that I posted above.. but without the original "haha fooled you" stating it's a joke it just seems like people are trying to get out of obeying the midday rule.

So please answer my poll. I'm wondering how many people realise there's this rule.

Edited April 2, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[Amby 490]

Have you ever considered it's not a rule and you're the one who is wrong?

[raymaga 25]

Growing up in Canada, we always knew we had to pull any April Fool's day tricks before a certain time, and I'm not sure if that was 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 noon.

Edited April 2, 2011 by raymaga

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Have you ever considered it's not a rule and you're the one who is wrong?

I never considered I was wrong because that's what my family/school friends/home town did so obviously I (personally) can't be wrong when so many people know about it... but I considered that it was something strictly Australian, or just in my family... so I googled and now I made a poll.

[TBoneTX 47,494]

In 1894, the first dalmatian was spotted, si man.

[Amby 490]

I never considered I was wrong because that's what my family/school friends/home town did so obviously I (personally) can't be wrong when so many people know about it... but I considered that it was something strictly Australian, or just in my family... so I googled and now I made a poll.

Yes but the way you wrote your story it sounds like you are saying the person who pulled the prank on you was "wrong" because she didn't follow YOUR rule that she had never heard of

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Stupid day, not a holiday. The only ones observing it are jerks and soon to be unemployed/celibate/friendless.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Yes but the way you wrote your story it sounds like you are saying the person who pulled the prank on you was "wrong" because she didn't follow YOUR rule that she had never heard of

Oh I see what you meant now... okay well yes actually she is. For example, if you gave a Jewish person a Christmas present YOU were incorrect to give it, not them for having different beliefs but if you didn't know they were Jewish you're excused the first time. It's the person on the receiving end that determines whether it's okay or not. She never asked if I knew about April Fools day till after the fact (of course it would ruin the joke if she did) but if she did I would have told her about the midday rule BUT because she didn't know it I don't hold her doing it after midday against her. However, now that she IS aware of my observance of the midday rule then she should follow it when planning to prank me.

As a side note her "prank" was inappropriate anyway. It was a prank related to a health concern that would have effected her health and well-being for many many years had it been true... those sorts of "pranks" aren't in the spirit of the day anyway.

[^_^ 5,021]

So my SIL pulled an "April Fools" joke on me today but didn't do it until 5pm.. making her the fool due to the "jokes before midday" rule...

You sound like a real PITA.

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

o.O

That is a rather unique way of thinking about something as simple as April Fools.

Perhaps you should lay down your rules and regulations in some sort of codex and hand it out to your friends, family and acquaintances to avoid any of these "misunderstandings" from happening again?

Oh I see what you meant now... okay well yes actually she is. For example, if you gave a Jewish person a Christmas present YOU were incorrect to give it, not them for having different beliefs but if you didn't know they were Jewish you're excused the first time. It's the person on the receiving end that determines whether it's okay or not. She never asked if I knew about April Fools day till after the fact (of course it would ruin the joke if she did) but if she did I would have told her about the midday rule BUT because she didn't know it I don't hold her doing it after midday against her. However, now that she IS aware of my observance of the midday rule then she should follow it when planning to prank me.

As a side note her "prank" was inappropriate anyway. It was a prank related to a health concern that would have effected her health and well-being for many many years had it been true... those sorts of "pranks" aren't in the spirit of the day anyway.

[^_^ 5,021]

o.O

That is a rather unique way of thinking about something as simple as April Fools.

Perhaps you should lay down your rules and regulations in some sort of codex and hand it out to your friends, family and acquaintances to avoid any of these "misunderstandings" from happening again?

that will lay to rest the sneaking suspicions people have that she is crazy. instead, they will know she is.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

o.O

That is a rather unique way of thinking about something as simple as April Fools.

Perhaps you should lay down your rules and regulations in some sort of codex and hand it out to your friends, family and acquaintances to avoid any of these "misunderstandings" from happening again?

You seem to misunderstand.. these aren't MY rules, these are the rules that everyone I grew up with know and follow. You might think they're odd but it's standard in Aus (at least everyone I went to school and Uni with, did extracurricular activities with and everyone on my FB).

The rule is basically only before midday but the severity of accepted jokes depends on the groups of people involved. Everyone I know is okay with harmless jokes (like putting tape on the laser under your computer mouse) but no jokes that insinuate they're dying are EVER funny.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Perhaps the half-day rule was put in place to account for the time difference between Australia and the civilized world.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Perhaps the half-day rule was put in place to account for the time difference between Australia and the civilized world.

Apparently it's common in the UK too (well according to Yahoo and who knows how trust-worthy that is)

[Amby 490]

Apparently it's common in the UK too (well according to Yahoo and who knows how trust-worthy that is)

I just asked two people from the UK (originally from different cities in England) and they both looked at me like I was crazy and started laughing.

Edited April 3, 2011 by Amby