If you want to have more friends, more fun, and more success in life, then you need to be funny.
For many people, this comes naturally. But for others like myself (why so serious!!??) you’re gonna have to learn.
Thankfully, you can learn anything in life—humor very much included. Here’s how.
- Listen carefully. Not only to how comedians and funny people say things, but what’s being said in the very conversation you’re engaged in. Being funny is mostly about wordplay, surprise, and timing, so pay attention.
- Say the opposite of what’s expected or intended. That’s called irony, which is often hilarious. That could be saying the opposite to obvious yes/no questions, using exaggerated numbers with deadpan delivery (“How many people were at the party? Around 10 million.”), or unmatched listings, (“I love peanut butter, mangoes, and anorexia.”)
- Never lose your cool. Doing so is never funny. To do this, you must accept, if not embrace your vulnerabilities and quirks. You must be self-deprecating and make fun of yourself, which makes those around you laugh and like you more.
- Tell funny stories, not jokes. The vast majority of both comedians and humans do this. You should too. Retell the funniest, real-life stories you’ve experienced (especially embarrassing ones) and people will laugh and love you for it.
- Call backs. Repeat something funny or witty that someone said earlier in the conversation. This never gets old.
Remember, if something doesn’t make you laugh, it probably won’t others. Also, never belittle or employ shock comedy. Rudeness and discomfort ain’t funny. It’s a cheap way of eliciting nervous laughter.
Since quitting Facebook in May, I periodically visit My Life Is Average for a good chuckle. Here are some of my favorite recent stories:
- Today, my brownie got detained in airport security. MLIA.
- Today, I discovered you can reuse calendars every eleven years. Guess who is using their 1999 calendar this year? MLIA.
- Today, I pushed a door that said pull. It opened. MLIA
- About a week ago, I went to the optometrist. While the doctor was looking at my eye, he told me to “open wide.” He was talking about my eye, but I automatically opened my mouth as wide as I could. MLIA.
- Today, I decided to make a grilled cheese sandwich in the toaster. Tomorrow, I’m getting a new toaster. MLIA
- Today I found a book called “How to Read a Book.” MLIA
- Today I was walking across the park and there were a bunch of teenagers. First kid smoking. Second kid smoking. Third kid smoking. Fourth kid was eating a apple. I think we know who the biggest rebel is. MLIA
- Tomorrow, my school has a spirit day. The theme is “Gender-Bender,” where boys wear girls clothes and vice versa. My father, knowing nothing of this, comes downstairs to find me in a jean miniskirt, gray tank top, black leggings, trying to put my hair in a suitable girly fashion. We stare at each other awkwardly, and without saying a word, he turns and walks back upstairs, shaking his head. MLIA.
- Today, I read last year 4,153,237 ppl got married. I don’t want to start any trouble, but shouldn’t that be an even number? MLIA
- Today, my shoe laces came untied. I tied them back up and carried on. MLIA
- Four years ago, when i was 18, i noticed at night that my front window is very reflective, so i was pretending to dive in slow motion and shoot, dual pistol style. Suddenly a really hot girl walked past and i was startled and fell over. Embarrassed i waited for a bit and then stood up. As i stoop up i saw her slowly shooting an imaginary rifle from behind a car. We then proceeded to do this for 10 minutes until she did an extremely dramatic death. She wasn’t getting up so i went outside to meet her. Once i got to where she was, there was nothing but a piece of paper with a mobile number on it. Today, we are getting married. MLIA
MLIA.
