Adam decided to play a practical joke on Linda, a co-worker. As Linda was leaving the office one night, Adam, wearing a mask, st
epped out from behind some bushes. He pointed a handgun made out of licorice at her and demanded her purse. He then pushed the candy gun to her head and told her if she told anybody he'd kill her. Linda was very scared during the whole incident. She did not think it was funny when Adam pulled the mask off and took a bite out of the gun as he gave her the purse back. Did Adam commit the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress? A) Yes, as his conduct was intentional.
B) Yes, but only if Adam intended to cause Linda serious emotional distress.
C) No, since he was only playing a practical joke.
D) No, since Linda was not physically hurt by Adam.
While Adam was only playing a practical joke, his own common sense should have said to him that stage a robbery even with the intention of a joke could provoke emotional distress in people.
When it comes to jokes, it is important to remember that there are subjects that we are all scared about and some people react in different ways, so while his intention was not about inflicting emotional distress, his conduct was one hundred percent intentional.
Making jokes is ok but in a contest where people do not feel emotional distress because of them.
