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Shaudenfraude

Cheapjack

Fleet Captain
What's the worst example of Shadenfraude?

Is it worse, if you are not just watching, but causing the misfortune?

The worst that's happened to you, or anyone else? How did you end it? Confront and expose the instigator?
 
There was one time where I really wished I had had a cell phone with video capabilities (and the presence of mind to use it) about two years ago. I was riding home on a train together with my brother from watching a nice win of the football team we support and we were sitting parallel to the direction of the train so we were looking straight out of the big side window almost as if it were a giant tv screen.

While the train was in a station we watched a guy and his girlfriend/wife try to reach our train before it leaves the station by crossing the rails on the other side, and he was clearly in a hurry. Problem just was that there was a train coming on the other rails too and although he barely made it, his girlfriend stayed behind which made him quite angry. And angry was also the driver of the other train who leaned out of his window gesticulating wildly (and I guess screaming, although we couldn't hear it) at the guy while slowly driving through the station, I almost thought they were going to throw punches. Then when when the other train had left, his girlfriend finally crossed the rails too, but of course at that point it was just too late and in the exact moment he pressed the button to open the door, our train left which made him hilariously throw the bouquet he was holding on the ground in frustration. (idiot should've thought of holding the door open instead of arguing with the driver of the train that almost killed him).

It was like classic slapstick comedy only real life, and of course the whole time this happened my brother and I were laughing out loud at the douche. Good times.
 
You were just watching in that instance. What if you weren't just watching, but interfering, and it wasn't comedic?

O holy night: I'm sure you know what Shadenfraude means. I didn't until today. I just found out.
 
The couple that I work with who made it plain they would not contribute to our Christmas 'do' as they didn't drink, then went on to claim large red wines when told the boss was paying. Knowing that our boss is away for 6 wks from Jan 1st, they have also 'many important things to do' so can't help out.

They went on hols, were too tight to keep the heating kicking over and came back to find their house flooded from a burst pipe. They also got grounded for 2 days because of snow ~ slept on the airport floor (this couple are in there 60s) again, too tight to rent a room.
I :guffaw: my arse off!
That is schadenfreude ~ with a little bit of Karma mixed in :mallory:
 
Worst example, as in an example that doesn't accurately convey the meaning of the word, or worst example, as in the least socially desirable kind of shame-joy over someone else's misfortune?

If it's the latter, I have a feeling you'll favor us with a story from your work or personal life that you believe to be a viable candidate.
 
I didn't reallise it was a form of sadism, until someone on this forum mentioned it a few months ago.

Watching a fool trip himself up is funny. Heroes can be tragic. But when you are actually interfering in someone's life, not just watching, is a greater form, I would say. Moving a stapler in the office, when someone has gone out, just to see if they notice, is a minute form? When they turn and point, is it funnier?
 
O holy night: I'm sure you know what Shadenfraude means. I didn't until today. I just found out.

Yes, I know what it means, thank you. And I was suggesting that you were going to take pleasure in reading about other's misfortunes in this thread.
 
I wonder if there's a form of shadenfruade that describes enjoying watching abuse of power.

I wonder if there's a form that describes enjoying exposing the abuser.

I wonder if there's a form that describes enjoying the relief from minimising and ending the abuse.

I wonder if there's a reverse term, that describes the pleasure gained from watching someone else enjoy a normal life.

Say, if you give someone pain, through jealousy, cos you have a happy,normal, unabusive life, is that a form of schadenfraude?

Is causing jealousy bad? Do you squash those sorts of people? Or just make them less jealous, somehow?
 
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