Alien: *walks into the recreation hall to see human watching something. Humans snorts*
Alien "Human, what's wrong with you. Do you have something stuck in your face?"
*human looks up smiling*
Human: *Sorry, I was just watching this really funny video, and couldn't help but laugh."
Alien *walks into a room to see a group of humans laughing together much more loudly this time*
Alien, "What are you humans doing?"
Humans *waves hands still laughing*
"Ramirez just told a really funny joke"
Allien: You are louder now than you were before.
Humans: Laughing with people is more fun than laughing alone
Alien *Walks into room without knocking, accidentally runs into half naked huma. Human jumps, stands there for a moment and then starts laughing*
Alien *about to apologize instead* What's so funny, I just invaded your privacy
Human: *still laughing; shrugs* Because I'm embarrassed, so its either laugh or make things awkward for both of us."
Alien: I mean that doesn't make sense, but ok."
Alien *walks into room*
Human department superior: And so I say what's the motor with you... see you get because a car has a motor.
Humans: *laughing unenthusiastically*
Alien *After boss leaves* Why did you laugh? That wasn't even funny?"
Humans: because he's our boss, we're supposed to laugh to make him feel good about himself
Alien: I thought humans laughed when something was funny or awkward.
Humans: We laugh if we want to keep our jobs.
Alien *Sighs in annoyance, but is used to this by now*
*human –doing something stupid– falls heavily and it looks very painful. All around them, the humans are quiet*
Fallen human *stands back up* I'm ok!
Humans: *laugh*
Alien *in frustration* Why are you laughing! He's bleeding and could have died!
Human: Yeah but he didn't.
Alien: Why though!
Human: Because we are relieved. Humans laugh when they are relieved.
Alien *storms off in frustration*
Alien *steps into a room just as another human is running out beat red, eyes angry hands clenched. Aggressive laughter follows him as he goes*
Alien *confused* Why are you laughing, that human seems very upset.
Humans: Because he deserved to be laughed at
Alien: Isn't laughing a good thing though. Why would he be upset at that
Humans: Because laughing at someone is considered rude, you can laugh with them, but laughing at them or about them isn't
Alien: then why would you do it?
Human: because he was behaving inappropriately, being an asshole, and he needed to be put in his place. Humans don't want to tolerate inappropriate social behavior
Alien *grumbles in annoyance but goes with it*
Humans an alien *in a dark spooky place suddenly startled by loud noise. Humans scream and then begin to laugh*
Alien *growing more frustrated* Why are you laughing now! That wasn't funny! No one is making you laugh and we aren't ridiculing anyone!
Humans: It's because we are relieved. Humans laugh to let each other know everything is ok, because you don't laugh when things are dangerous, so hearing other people laugh is a sign to tell everyone to relax.
Alien *suppose it makes sense. Is still annoyed though.*
Alien *is helping human get a splinter out of their hand. It is taking a while and being stubborn*
Human: ow ouch! OW! *Human begins laughing*
Alien *Slams tweezers down in frustration* WHY! WHY are you laughing! This isn't funny at all! I am HURTING you. You are in PAIN.
Human *still giggling* I know, I'm sorry. I laugh when I'm in pain.
Alien BUT WHY!
Human: Because it helps to lessen the pain. If I laugh it hurts less. I suppose it's also a soothing thing. If I'm laughing maybe I can trick my brain into thinking I am ok?"
Alien *Thinking about bashing his head against a wall*
Alien *Walks into the captain's office.* Sir we have a problem
Human *repeatedly, though gently, ramming his forehead against the desk* what now, what in my day could possibly go wrong now! Literally the worst day ever. Come on in just keep piling it on!
Alien: *nervous* there has been an outbreak of a very contagious pathogen starting with the docking crew i thought you should know-
Human: *begins laughing*
Alien: *dumbfounded* Why would you be laughing now. You just said it was the worst day ever.
Human *looks up* I am laughing because its kind of ironic. Plus I am also laughing because its either laugh or cry."
Alien *Slowly walks out of the room, heads back to the office. Tosses all their research on humans into the air and then hides under the desk for the foreseeable future*
No matter how bad or confusing humans seem, they always manage to get worse.