I’m a fairly strong proponent of not taking yourself too seriously. I think we all need to be able to laugh at ourselves and the imperfections in our institutions. (I think this kind of laughing is closely related to humility.) But some things should be sacred, right? Off limits? I have to be honest, I struggled to answer this question for myself. After a good long think, I could say I’ve never poked fun at either of my grandmothers. And I doubt that I’d tolerate someone else (my own parents, aunts, and uncles excepted) having a laugh at my grandmothers’ expense. They are the matriarchs of both sides of my family. Institutions. (I never really knew either of my grandfathers. Both had passed by the time I was 5 years old.) My mom’s mom turned 90 this past year. My dad’s mom is well into her 80’s. They are sacred women to me. Certainly. Ask your friends this question. In the age of South Park and SNL it’s interesting to know what is sacred in your social circles.

Source: The question bank from the 1997 landmark study out of SUNY Stony Brook on Interpersonal Closeness (famously discussed in 2015 in the wildly viral New York Times article: “To Fall In Love With Anyone, Do This” )

Have you asked this question? How did it go? Do you have advice for how best to ask it? PLEASE RATE! AND WRITE A REVIEW (in the comment box below)!