Does anyone else feel forced to laugh at April Fools’ jokes?

For me, April Fools’ Day isn’t fun—it’s just a day where I feel pressured to laugh at things I don’t find funny.

It’s awkward when the joke is on me. Even if I don’t find it amusing, I feel like I have to smile or play along so I don’t seem “too serious.” It’s exhausting.

“It’s just a joke” is used as a free pass. Some people take April Fools’ as an excuse to say things they wouldn’t normally dare to, and if you get upset, you’re the problem.

There’s social pressure to “take a joke.” If you don’t enjoy being pranked, you risk being labeled boring, sensitive, or “no fun.” But why is it so wrong to just prefer honesty over tricking people?

I know some people love April Fools’, but does anyone else feel like they’re just enduring it rather than enjoying it?