HEY MIKE! Is it wrong to play a practical joke on someone? My friends and I pull a lot of pranks on each other, not on people we dislike. But I have to admit, sometimes our jokes get a little out of hand. What are your thoughts?
—W.N., Birmingham, Ala.
Ask yourself two questions: Are my pranks safe and sane? Are my motives right?
Getting slimed with shaving cream and Silly String by a bunch of familiar (yet somewhat “idiot”) friends is way different from being made to look like an idiot in front of unfriendly faces—right?
It’s simply never OK to pull pranks that are destructive, demeaning, unwanted—or that are used as a way to get even with someone. So I’m glad you made it clear that you and your friends don’t do that.
On the other hand, a clean, harmless joke that you’re certain will be (1) something the prankster and “prankee” can laugh at together, (2) a joke that will be at least slightly welcomed by the “prankee” and (3) an activity that won’t get the front teeth of the prankster knocked out . . . probably passes the “right motive/safe-and-sane” guidelines.
But you mentioned that your jokes are getting “a little out of hand.” Think hard now: Are they crossing lines of good taste? Are they destructive? Are they unwanted by the “prankee”? Are they causing you to break a rule imposed by your parents, youth leaders or teachers? If so, it’s time to pull back on the pranks. 
