The more successful and popular Pandora Media becomes, the more money the company is losing due to the cost of music royalties. I don’t know what these people were thinking when they decided to name the company Pandora. DM

According to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, the benefit of a thoughtful gift actually accrues mainly to the giver, who derives a feeling of closeness to the other person. This seems to prove the theory that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. DM

Regifting is up. According to American Express, 58% of people believe it is OK to regift an item. However, in the same survey, only 1.5 %of respondents thought it was OK to regift to them. DM

White House officials continue to make the case that Congress should raise the U.S.’s borrowing limit without imposing preconditions. According to one economist, the increased height of the fiscal cliff won’t make much difference at all. DM

About the hockey skates, I grew up near Boston playing hockey when Bobby Orr was playing for the Bruins. I haven’t skated much since then. A few years ago, I and the family went to a Winter Wonderland in Valdosta GA. I skated on rented skates that had no edge and it was just terrible. I vowed that I would never skate on rented skates again. Last week, Christmas came early for me. I found a pair of skates on Craigslist that fit perfectly. I took my two daughters skating and I even showed them how to skate backwards. Next week, I’ll show them how to throw a hip check. DM

The Pentagon is making massive cuts in case the fiscal cliff becomes a reality. In the future, The Pentagon will be known as The Triangle. Jimmy Fallon

President Obama recently met with leaders of the American Indian tribes and they honored the president by giving him his own Indian name: “Running Deficit.” Jay Leno

Mercedes is developing technology to let you look at Facebook on your car windshield. It’s perfect for everyone who wants to get hit by an oncoming 18-wheeler. Conan

Applebee’s is opening a “green” restaurant in New York that will have waterless urinals, a wall made of plants, and rooftop rainwater harvesting. All of which will be underneath a giant, million-watt neon sign that says “Applebee’s.”

President Clinton and President Obama recently played a round of golf. President Clinton asked Obama what his handicap was, and Obama said, “Joe Biden.” Jay Leno

The International Olympic Committee has stripped India of its right to participate in the games. In response, India said, “Fine, just try logging on to your computers now.” Conan

Inside Business Jokes

An inside joke is a joke that requires additional unspoken information to be understood. In other words it’s not self-contained. In a typical inside joke situation, the people who have the information laugh at the joke and the people who don’t have the information wonder what they’re laughing at. They might even wonder if they’re being laughed at. Sometimes inside jokes just happen. Sometimes people use inside jokes to let outsiders know they’re outside. It’s like saying “We’re laughing and you’re not because, let’s face it, you’re just not one of us.” Personally, I think it’s very impolite to tell inside jokes that way. It’s certainly not the kind of thing that will help build a business relationship.

Business Humor Quote of the Week

“If Jesus doesn’t have a sense of humor, I am in huge trouble.” Steven Colbert

Doom, Gloom, and 12-21-2012: Business Jokes for the Apocalypse