THE HAGUE (ANP) - Hans Kazán who becomes Client Happiness Manager at a software company, Domino's that stops using pineapple on pizza and Pieter Omtzigt who exchanges his job as Member of Parliament for a position in Youth Care. These are just a few of the April 1 jokes of this year, according to senior lecturer Clinical Psychology Sibe Doosje (65) a “welcome distraction” - certainly in times of crisis.
Last year, when the coronavirus had just taken hold of society, there seemed to be less room for April 1 humor. Even the Youth News skipped a year, while it normally hides a joke between the normal news every year. Whether there is more room for humor after a year of corona, Doosje, who studies the impact of humor on well-being, is not afraid to say. “For that I would have to know exactly how many jokes were made last and this year. But what I do know is that we are more used to the corona crisis and that we probably dare more as a result. And that humor always offers a welcome distraction. ”
What is striking is the changing form in which April 1 jokes are cast. In the past, they remained predominantly between the maker and the 'victim', or within the family or company. "Back then it was mainly practical jokes, in which people were sent out to get non-existing products, for example." Now large companies spend time and therefore money on a well-written press release about something that is not true. "Today's April 1 jokes are more professional and commercial than ever." Doosje cites Domino's as an example, which takes the opportunity to make “smart advertising” for the company.
Pineapple on pizza
Pizza vendor Domino's took advantage of the discussion about pineapple on pizza by reporting that pineapple is disappearing from the menu. To add to the joke, the company has indeed stopped offering pineapples since last week's announcement. "But that will change again from Thursday," said a spokesman, who finds the joke "already successful". “I have been receiving calls from customers for a few days now to see if it is really true. And the discussion is also going on on social media, ”she says.
“The shape of the April 1 joke also changes with society,” explains Doosje. “Because everyone is now on social media, the April 1 jokes are also made there. Only when a joke has received media attention does it seem successful. ” Doosje himself has not yet brooded on an April joke, he says. “But I hope that as many jokes as possible are made. Because: the more humor, the better. ”
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