When Not to Laugh

Apropos of nothing, this post nevertheless has the form of a rant. I have noticed in several of my friends the tendency to laugh at another's mistakes, unintentional blunders, accidental failures, etc. I'm not sure why, but this really bothers me: and not because I'm frequently the one at whom people are laughing. Sure, I do silly things, mostly on purpose, and people find them funny. However, I can tell and therefore I think everyone should be able to tell, when someone is honestly embarrassed at her mistake; and it's a mean thing to make fun of her and thereby increase her misery. In fact, I am going to make a sweeping statement here: it's not well-bred to laugh at someone else unless he or she is making a joke or saying something intentionally funny. I don't care who you are. Just stop laughing rudely at people! Ask yourself, "Is my laughter good-natured or is it just mockery?" (Also, if you happen to see me do just what I am ranting against, please please call me out on it--I'm definitely asking for it.)