Beernado

IMHO a joke's appropriateness is defined by it's context, not the timeframe.

I wouldn't get up in front of a crowd of people at my company Christmas party and throw a Typhoon Haiyan joke in and expect a good response.

Over beers with a buddy though? Shit, I'd do that as it's happening if we were in a dark frame of mind.

There are no inappropriate jokes. Only inappropriate contexts to tell them in.

So, are they always cheating?

Whenever I try this I undoubtedly end up getting some indecisive and fearful server who basically reads half the menu to me.

Maddening.

Try the Millionaire Fastlane.

Easily the best of the dozens of books I've read on the subject. Honestly, it's enough to replace a business education IMHO (I say this as someone who went to college for business).

He has his own company and provides a valuable service.

What do you do? File paperwork for a giant company where you are just a number?

Let's get off the high horse.