Despite my age I'm a bit of a hooligan when I'm on a bike. But I absolutely want to ride on a larger frame, that can handle on road and off road (jack of all trades, master of none). I like the hybrids I've been seeing around, and I've narrowed down what I want verses what I can spend. But before that, I want to make sure I understand how far I can push a hybrid to make absolutely sure its the right bike for me. I understand its not going to be as tough and ridged as a mountain bike.

Say I jumped off a picnic table on one that was an aluminum 20-21" hard tail frame around 26-28 pounds with front suspension by Trek, Giant, or some other well known brand. Would I damage the frame? What about trails? What kind of a hit could it take if I hit a an unexpected bump, like say a rock or a tree root hiding in some leaves? What if I went to a skateboard park that allows you to ride anything (human powered, no motored/electric vehicles) as long as you have protective gear, and did some modest stuff on their course? What about front wheel 180 pivots? Curb hopping? Going down a flight of stairs? Before deciding to spend hundreds on a hybrid, I want to know how far it can be pushed.

I'm out of the loop as far as how strong these new frames are compared to fifteen or twenty years ago.

Typically jumps will bend wheels and break spokes. I don't think all the hybrid makers state the wheel should not leave the ground. Otherwise OK. My LBS owner has been riding his crosstrail sport disk up and down stairs loaded with groceries (no eggs) for years. The crosstrail comp has a more durable rim. Others may be similar.

If your terrain is similar to a jump off a table then I think you are exceeding the design expectations of a hybrid.
Even half that distance, say 2 feet or so done with any frequency seems like mtb territory to me.

...hmmm, after reading what you might be doing with your future bike, my thoughts are that you may be better off with something like a Specialized Stump Jumper 29. Those are a larger frame bike like the hybrids you've mentioned but have a frame designed more for the activities you're describing. I think you'd be much better served with that solution as opposed to trying to make a lesser qualified bike do things it wasn't designed for...and then being disappointed.
I know you mentioned affordability, but I think you'd definitely damage a typical hybrid, even equipped with a front suspension fork, by doing any of the activities you listed, and no warranty on a hybrid bike would cover damage from such activity. A hardtail MTB with a heavy duty front shock may be more expensive than a hybrid with a front shock, but I believe that is what you require in order to accomplish what your 'hooligan' heart wishes to do. Hope that helps, keep us posted with the results of your quest, I'm interested in what you find out...

That is going to be a problem for me. I don't want to exceed $650, let alone $3,000! I definitely do not have that kind of money. Also I'm a very light person. I'm a fraction under 6' and only weigh 140, so the weight of a bike is going to effect me more than someone who weighs a lot more. I hate heavy bikes. The freebie I'm trying to replace is nearly 40 pounds and I loathe it. Problem is, I actually do "need" a light bike. Its not because its something I want. The bike I have is horrible up any hill. It tires me out fast and the first starting a ride is particularly bad because my muscles are trying to warm up and this heavy ass thing feels like I'm pulling someone else behind me. I also need something that does very well on roads and other paved areas since that's where I spend most of my time, but can also handle off road and trails decently because I do enjoy doing that sometimes. Someone suggested I get multiple bikes, but because of my limited funds I definitely do not have the money for two bikes.... unless I found some used stuff. Problem with that is I can never find anything used in my size and when I do its sold before I can even reply to them. I'm above the national average height, and most used bikes are smaller frames for shorter people and they're uncomfortable. *sigh* I'm not sure what to do anymore and every time someone suggests something that would fit well with my life style its thousands of dollars in costs. This whole thing is starting to really bum me out.

In another forum, someone suggested the Super Sport 2 Disc Mens:
Super Sport 2 Disc Mens - Hybrid - Bikes | Schwinn Bicycles

...well, if you can restrain yourself from jumping off picnic tables and other such things, then a Specialized Crosstrail or something similar from any of the manufacturers would probably meet your requirements, theyre more or less based on an MTB frame, have a front shock, they're definitely lighter than what you're riding now, and you should find one within your budgetary means...
Good luck, and keep us posted...

Buttttt, they ain't meant for jumping off anything, or rough off roading...........

This chart is specific to Salsa products but the categories are accepted across the industry. Notice that the 3rd level bikes are all dedicated MTB's with suspension. Level two is where I suspect most of the more trail oriented hybrids would fall.

I have hit plenty of tree roots, big stones, small curbs (up and down them). Stairs I haven't tried yet........jumping off a picnic table.......haahahahahahahahaahhaahaha...............oops, did I laugh out loud?

I would say this depends more on your skill. While old school MTBs did all that and more, there are better options these days. If you want to run a bike outside its intended parameters, you will need more skill to compensate. The skinnier the tires, the less forgiving it becomes and you cannot expect the bike to survive a botched landing

Nose pivots, bunny hopping, curb hopping, and going up + down a flight of stairs should not be a problem - I regularly do these on most of my bikes, including hybrids.

I dont do picnic tables or benches anymore so I cannot give you any input there but I find 3ft dropoffs to not be a problem on even road bikes

I dont know how the transitions meant for a skateboard would transfer to the speed, radius, and wheelbase of 700c

For this kind of riding I would stay away from entry level suspension forks - as they bend too easy, and look for sturdy wheels. Modern OEM bars and seatposts are pretty strong but the soft cranks could be an issue. I think modern frames, especially aluminum ones are exceptionally good - better than old school MTBs

Still, a hybrid would be a bad recommendation for you over a 29" hardtail MTB and a BMX bike or a cyclocross and a trials bike. Or get a Pinarello Dogma ;-P https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmJtYaUTa0

If you buy a new $650 bike and treat it like that, you'll be spending $3K in repair costs pretty quickly. Add your health insurance deductibles and co-pays to the top of that.

Can someone recommend me a drift car, but with the suspension of a trophy truck in case i jump off the road and hit some dunes?

Some things just cant be combined. But i think youd be better off with something like this!