Emotions are a complex thing. Anyone would say that sadness feels bad, and laughing feels good. But the human psyche is so much more complicated than that, and things are never just black and white.
So in order to see how that works in practice, we’re diving into a collection of posts that will simultaneously crack a smile, and leave you pretty sad. And thanks to the corner of Reddit “Funny And Sad,” which is home to 726k members, there’s a lot to choose from!
Get ready for a very nuanced experience of internet consumption where jokes meet tough reality, and where the reality is not always funny. After you’re done, be sure to check out part 1 of the post right here.
This post may include affiliate links.
Why On Earth !?
The Most United States Thing To Say About The United States Ever
Poor Mom
Previously, we spoke with Dr. Lise Deguire, a clinical psychologist and the author of “Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience From a Burn Survivor” who said that occasional sadness is a normal part of life.“Happiness and sadness are both normal feelings that naturally arise through life's inevitable ups and downs. When people are numb to their feelings, or try to avoid feelings altogether, they won't experience sadness, but they won't experience much happiness either,” she explained.
However, some people may be more susceptible to sad emotions than others. This may be due to many reasons, but previous experiences, genetics, and mindsets are largely to blame. “This can be partly genetic and partly due to negative life experiences. Mindset is also a factor,” Lisa told us.
“People who tend to be pessimistic, who dwell on the future anxiously, and who ruminate negatively about the past can experience more sadness. However, these are cognitive bad habits that can really be helped by psychotherapy.”
Sounds About Right
Unfortunate Truth
Too Soon?
But most of the posts in this article have to do with the fact that they make a point which is presented in a funny way but is in itself not that funny. Quite on the contrary, many examples present cases of what could be called “a hard truth” which is, as we know very well, a pretty hard thing to swallow.
In a previous interview, Susan Petang, a certified life coach who runs The Quiet Zone Coaching, told Bored Panda that if the truth is something we don’t agree with, it will be uncomfortable to hear it because it all has to do with our core beliefs and values, and the way we view the world.
“When what we believe to be true about ourselves, situations, other people, or the world in general is at odds with what we observe, the result is cognitive dissonance—when our beliefs and our observations are at odds. This can cause considerable stress,” she explained.
What A Bunch Of Sheep
The War In Afghanistan Cost Americans 300 Million A Day For The Last 20 Years
When They Tell You To Work Hard To Be Rich
My 12yo wants to live in Iceland when they grow up and I'm encouraging them because I want my kid to have a better life than I've had and getting out of the USA is going to contribute to making that possible.
On the other hand, when we talk about truth, we have to be aware of the fact that it’s really a question of perception. Unless it’s a stated, scientifically-backed up fact, or a law of nature, all truths can be challenged. “So, what I have experienced as 'truth' may not be what you have experienced as 'truth.' For example, one could say that the truth is that water boils at 212 degrees. Or does it? If you use the metric system, water boils at 100 degrees,” Susan said.
Unfortunately It Gets Swept Under The Rug Because We Don’t Have Our S**t Together
I Couldn’t Help But Laugh
I Guess The Hotline Technically Worked?
She Found The Root Of The Problem
"In my time, 50 euros were a lot of money, you know... -Yes grandma, but your time is over."
Little By Little, You Have To Go To Europe To Work
More news: Graduate Americans decide to stay in Europe because they can't see themselves returning to a dystopian society after having experienced what it is to live in a normal country.
Seems To Make Sense
Three Paytriots Trying To Save America
Don’t Get Vaccinated
Millennials In Congress
Considering the average age of a lot of elected officials, it would be best to hire younger people anyway because they have more perspective on what life is like for young people and how much stuff costs
John Boner, I Was Opposed To Recreational Marijuana Until I Started Making Millions Off Of It
One Star Texas?
Nice Going Sis
My Favorite Kind Of Sale
But everything you think you're gonna get is actually from a completely different department, as you got lost in the shop. Keep it anyway.
Tweet: Raising The Hand
Not So Dystopian
We Can't Do Anything Else But Laugh At This Point
Enough to give him another heart attack and then die. What happens to the debt then?
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I spent two weeks in hospital for heart issues. I had a multitude of diagnostic scans, blood tests, etc, etc. My bill was $0 (zero). The USA is a scary place financially (on so many levels). 😲
Seriously America, sort it out. My mother in law is in hospital having triple bypass surgery. Total cost = £5 for parking when we visit.
Free hospital parking in Scotland - turned out it was more expensive to have the machines to pay, maintain them, have staff to monitor the car parks etc than it was just to let folk park - so zero charges for the hospital stay and zero to go visit.
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It’s worse for patients who have strokes or hip fractures. When they discharge from the hospital they need help. But every family member they have as either just as elderly is them or they work full-time to make ends meet. So no one is able to take care of grandma or grandpa and they have to go to a nursing home. In order to qualify for financial assistance for a nursing home grandma or grandpa has to be poor. So they have to open the valve on their savings account and spend it all, which disappears in a matter of days at a nursing home. Life savings wiped out in a matter of days. Only then do they get the full-time care they need.
Sadly you write the truth. I have just recently retired and insurance companies are strongly pushing long term care insurance on me. The cost is outrageous for minimal coverage. :-(
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Maybe we need a purge style rage-out. I'm tired of paying hundreds of dollars every year for routine exams
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Man, that bill would give me another heart attack, and then the next one, and so on and on...
Yes if the first one didn't work the second one will definitely do the job
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Chronic health problems here. Our deductible is THOUSANDS per year PLUS high monthly premiums. I literally fly to South Africa when I need expensive tests and treatment, because even in PRIVATE care there it is cheaper to play for a roundtrip ticket, lodging, and some of the BEST doctors on the planet. (Well thanks to the maskholes and anti-vaxxers I'm currently just trying to wait it out rather than pay an arm and leg here.) We are so broken it's ridiculous.
Live in the Netherlands, chronically ill as well. My MS medication alone is over €20k, which I only pay €385/year on top of my insurance. To make it even better, due to low income I'm getting €98/month compensation by the government. All other examinations, tests and appointments all are paid for. USA-wise, I'll be bankrupt and the medication will be $100k/knowing they can make huge amounts of money on people depending on their medications...
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Let me offer an alternate viewpoint. As a former federal employee who became disabled after a work injury, my primary insurance is Medicare. My secondary insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program. I had a heart attack in 2019. I've not gotten a single bill to this day...and neither would a Congressperson. They deny the general population the same medical coverage they themselves enjoy, which is entitlement at its finest.
Pisses you off and breaks your heart at the same time. Eat the rich!
WOW, My my dad had a heart attack, he was in hospital for just over a week (Obviously unable to work during that period), and you wouldn't believe the cost! £7 for parking! well we only did that once! we parked 2 streets away for free for the rest of the visits. Oh BTW, the health care was fee and he got paid sick leave, soo...
Most Americans want centralized healthcare. We aren’t clinging to the system.
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My youngest was premature and spent 3 months in NICU. $2.2 million dollars.
I actually know multiple american nationals living in Europe because they can't afford to move back and face their medical bills.. One guy was randomly attacked in the street and ended up with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt for something he literally did not have any blame in. Imagine having your financial future destroyed like that.
6k is still too much. I cremated my old shitty man for free. The municipal corporation took care of all the costs.
American health care system is fncked up. Hospitals are money making machines, they prey on the weak and infirm.
Of course you can, although insurance itself is very expensive. Some people are lucky enough to have decent insurance via their jobs. But even with insurance, hospital bills are sky high. I have no idea how people survive in the US. I have a friend with a six-figure income and it's just barely enough to live reasonably comfortably.
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When my brother was 18 he got endocarditis and was incredibly sick. He ended up having open heart surgery to replace a valve, along with several other surgeries to repair veins in his leg. His total medical care cost well over a million dollars (this was back in the 90's). He was on my father's insurance plan at the time and afterwards the insurance company dropped my father's company as a client - because you know, they actually had to pay for someone's health care. We're definitely living the dream here in America aren't we?
I live in Canada. I almost died from multiple blood clots in both lungs. I spent 5-days in hospital on varying degrees of oxygen, had multiple shots of blood thinner, was given intravenous iron, had multiple scans [EKG, ECG, X-ray, CT] and the best care from doctors, nurses and assistant staff. The total cost -$0.00. WTF America?
This hits hard. My Dad died of a Heart Attack last year and didn’t have healthcare. I miss him so much. He asked his friend what a heart attack felt like (who had survived one) right before he died after denying an ambulance..
So unbelievably tragic. What a bloody mess the US health system is in.
I'm in Canada. My mind cannot wrap itself around this amount of money paying for anything but a down payment on a freakin' house! Hubby has been battling Stage 4 throat cancer for 8 years now (all clear, still awaiting surgery to close the hole in his neck), in and out of hospitals, chemo, radiation, x-rays, endless tests, etc. We've paid out about a grand ($1,000) and that has ALL been to fix the damage the radiation did to his jaw and teeth. These bills down south are insane.
Only one week? Jesus, so much money. This year, I spend two month in hospital. How much would that cost in the USA?
In some states, they take it out of your paycheck, or seize your home or estate.
Load More Replies... My aunt had insurance. Her bill was $160,000 for a week after a heart attack.
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I'm so gratefull I live in Scandinavia, free health care. Dont even want to think how much i would have to pay in a year, living with chronic illnesses! I'm getting mad and sad while reading some of the comments here. Like a human life is worthless and "if you are not rich, you deserve to die".... Makes me angry as hell!
You are 100% reading your bill wrong. Either that, or you're purposely cropping out the bottom line that shows what you actually owe. Period.
What happens if you dont pay? They take your heart away? I do not understand this system.
I spent six weeks in a hospital after a childhood brain cancer diagnosis. I can only imagine what that bill was…
Then the US government has the money to pay for preschool. This while Americans lose there home over medical bills.
I wonder how many of these bills get paid - I live in Canada - I hear they can bankrupt a patient to pay a bill! Humanity in medicine would be nice!
For all of you who continually, annoyingly, continue to bitch and moan about the cost of health care in the U.S.A.. Are you willing to forgo the opportunity of a financial windfall because of "malpractice" by any one of or combination of medical providers? Are you willing to allow nothing more than a maximum of about $100K as blood money in the case of the injury or death of you or a loved one? If not, quit bitching and moaning. Everybody that works in any aspect of health care pretty much has to carry malpractice insurance as a protection of them against you. Would you carry the burden of this cost on yourself or would you push this expense of onto the group which would attempt to do you financial harm? More than likely not but you'd have all of the people in health care carry the burden of this cost on themselves though. Granted, malpractice insurance isn't the only factor in the overall cost of U.S. healthcare but it surely contributes.
Australia, where I live, has a socialised healthcare system. We can still sue for malpractice and medical professionals still have to carry exorbitant insurance. A successful suit will result in millions, depending on what the facts are. So I don't really understand your point - you can have socialised healthcare and still be legally protected. Both patients and medical professionals.
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Education Matters
Yes, That Is True Icebreaker
*cries In Millennial/Zoomer*
Make A Wish
3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Open The Door
It Sucks To Be A Diabetic In The US
American Dream Move Out Of Country
Where Are These Robots?
Seen On My Walk To Work Yesterday
The True Answer
Trump: Hi Beautiful Girls I Love All Of You
If You’re Ever In A Fist Fight
Not To Mention Our Ears
Don't give them more ideas! They'll start making us pay for all our individual body parts. Oh you fell and believe you sprained your wrist? Well, you have wrist insurance but X Rays show you also fractured a bone in your hand and you don't have coverage for that.
So True
And The Pizza Parties!
I Have Stage 4 Cancer And Sent This Message To My Friend After Getting My Second Vaccine. This Was His Response
America's Healthcare
I Have This Really Funny Story To Tell You Guys. I Was
It Is Really Funny And Sad
She Has No Brother
Jigsaws
Here We Go Again Another Top 1% Rich
Amazon shills in comments below, beware anyone that denies anyone their human rights.
"One Of My"
Rockets Go Vroom
Good Old Cod Lobbies
Note: this post originally had 120 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Ya, people from other countries on here love to take a poop on America. Why is it so many people want to come here then?
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Nice another thread bashing the USA 😱surprised face! I’m glad bashing a country makes others feel good!
I get the feeling boredpanda assumes most of it's readers are American and post content based off of that.
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Whataboutism is a false argument. US healthcare / costs are bankrupting families and ensuring that those on the lowest wages get poor healthcare, that’s outrageous. Chinese concentration camps are ALSO outrageous. There are also human rights violations all across the Middle East, Israel is stealing land and homes, there is wholesale destruction of the environment all around the world, there are humanitarian crises on pretty much every continent…….and on and on. The healthcare system can be changed by democratic and concerted effort by the American people, in order to do that it needs to be highlighted and the politicians held to account. The others requires those same politicians to exert pressure on China et al, a regular American citizen can’t contact a foreign official and demand an explanation or indeed change. Instead of undermining legitimate concerns about healthcare how about encouraging positive change AND highlighting the other concerns around the world?
Load More Replies... Ya, people from other countries on here love to take a poop on America. Why is it so many people want to come here then?
Load More Replies... Nice another thread bashing the USA 😱surprised face! I’m glad bashing a country makes others feel good!
I get the feeling boredpanda assumes most of it's readers are American and post content based off of that.
Load More Replies... Whataboutism is a false argument. US healthcare / costs are bankrupting families and ensuring that those on the lowest wages get poor healthcare, that’s outrageous. Chinese concentration camps are ALSO outrageous. There are also human rights violations all across the Middle East, Israel is stealing land and homes, there is wholesale destruction of the environment all around the world, there are humanitarian crises on pretty much every continent…….and on and on. The healthcare system can be changed by democratic and concerted effort by the American people, in order to do that it needs to be highlighted and the politicians held to account. The others requires those same politicians to exert pressure on China et al, a regular American citizen can’t contact a foreign official and demand an explanation or indeed change. Instead of undermining legitimate concerns about healthcare how about encouraging positive change AND highlighting the other concerns around the world?
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