Local Council Accidentally Bans All Forms of Spontaneous Joy

In a bureaucratic masterstroke, Little Dribbling Parish Council has passed a new bylaw that effectively outlaws any public display of "unregulated happiness." The "Public Order & Emotional Consistency Act 2024" was originally intended to crack down on street performers playing Wonderwall on repeat.

However, due to a poorly-worded clause, the act now requires a permit for "any gathering of two or more persons where the expressed mood is significantly above neutral."

Activities now requiring prior written approval include, but are not limited to: laughing at a dog chasing its tail, impromptu picnics, and congratulating a stranger on a nice hat. Council leader Brenda Gripe stated, "Public spaces are for quiet contemplation and moving from A to B. We can't have people enjoying themselves without the proper risk assessments."