Jim24 Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 I've noticed that a lot of the guys at school that the girls go for are really funny. I however am a serious guy, in the sense that I enjoy others' humor but do not know how to be funny myself and I am always afraid to try to be funny around girls because I fear I may say something really stupid. I do not know very many jokes and I understand that it is hard to explain to someone exactly how to be funny, but if you have any ideas please try. Link to post Share on other sites
Clancy Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 Jason, I don't think anyone will be able to tell you how to become funny. People who are funny have become that way through their upbringing and their life experience. Sometimes the funniest guys at school are actually some of the most insecure. They just use humour extremely effectively to release their own social tension and in doing so make other people feel good around them. My suggestion is practice relaxing around people. It's easy to say I know but try your best to be yourself. It'll serve you best in the long run. Girls do like guys who make them laugh, it's true. But if you are relaxed about yourself and develop your confidence by being comfortable with yourself you'll have a better chance of being genuinely charming and perhaps one day, funny. Link to post Share on other sites
amerikajin Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 Ahhh...the great conundrum. You need to be funny to get the chicks, but how does one suddenly become funny. I did it myself at the age of 14 - not so much to get chicks at first. I just did it because I would always think of something funny to say, but I was afraid to be myself. I'm incredibly shy inside, but I still find ways to pop off a one-liner here and there. You don't necessarily have to say a lot, just make sure that what you say is overwhelming and well-timed. Think of yourself as a Napoleon Bonaparte in the classroom. Here's the key: if you strike out, keep swinging. Just remember what doesn't work so you don't do it again. Link to post Share on other sites
Layla Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 Hey Well, to give you some different perspective. I used to like those silent and "mysterious" boys at highschool. Those clowns just didn't interest me :-) Link to post Share on other sites
UCFKevin Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 If you aren't funny, you aren't funny. You can't learn it. The thing about being funny is that girls like that, but only for buddies usually. Although I was a class clown in my 12th grade English class and at the end of the year, this girl wrote in my yearbook, "I fell in love with you this year but never told you. Call me." I don't think I'd ever said a word to her previously. Link to post Share on other sites
amerikajin Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 If you have an ear for humor, you have a mouth for it, too. Now not everybody's Eddie Murphy - true. But I think the only thing a person needs is a sense of humor and some occasional courage. I'm really shy about meeting new people and don't say squat at first. But once I feel comfortable, I start testing a few one-liners here and there, and then once I feel confident about my humor, I take off with it. Not everything I say is funny, and sometimes I bomb, but I've also cracked a few good one-liners and had people rolling around on the floor in pain in my day...if I do say so myself. That said, be careful not to be someone you're not. If humor isn't your bag, then don't make it your show. It's just another tool that comes in handy once in a while. Link to post Share on other sites
Heidi2 Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 Originally posted by Jim24 I've noticed that a lot of the guys at school that the girls go for are really funny. I however am a serious guy, in the sense that I enjoy others' humor but do not know how to be funny myself and I am always afraid to try to be funny around girls because I fear I may say something really stupid. I do not know very many jokes and I understand that it is hard to explain to someone exactly how to be funny, but if you have any ideas please try. Perhaps, you should start watching if not already any of those late night talk shows, or Saturday Night Live. B/c here, you never know what to expect. Link to post Share on other sites
yes Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 i disagree that a person cannot learn to be funny. some people grow up in pretty serious families - or familier where humour is sort of confidence-defeating ("skiing?? there're better ways to kill yourself ya know" kind of thing) - and so they never learn to make generic jokes. But they can learn later - if they're exposes to people with a healthy sense of humour... however that's defined, heheh. anyway - my advice to the original poster is to listen to what other guys do/say, try to mimic what you like & what feels natural to you - in time, you'll develop your own style. in order to avoid embarassing silences, don't start out yelling jokes to a crowd - start joking privately, where it can be easily smoothed over by saying smth like "oops, did i say that out loud?". have fun! -yes Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 The thing about being funny is that girls like that, but only for buddies usually. Not true. Wit can be very attrractive in a man. Link to post Share on other sites
cindy0039 Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 Originally posted by moimeme Not true. Wit can be very attrractive in a man. I totally agree with you, Moi! Link to post Share on other sites
subtitled Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 i also find wit very attractive..... but it has to be wit, not fart jokes. Also, if they're over-confident, cocky, that is a turn off. so generally, it's nice to be funny, but not attention seeking and full of yourself. i think more important than 'being funny' so to speak, is just having a sense of humour - ie. seeing the humour in things, including unfortunate situations. I like it when people can see the funny side, and not get too hung up about misfortune. Link to post Share on other sites
UCFKevin Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 There's a big difference between being witty and being funny. Link to post Share on other sites
monkey00 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I have one thing to say about people who use jokes or try to be funny most of the time they talk...through past experiences w/classmates, and friends. I notice usually the guys likes to be the funny ones.. One thing i can say about those type of people who constantly joke a lot are the types who likes to get people's attention, they are also the type that try to hide themselves under all the humor. I feel there is something about their lives they dont want to hide, like how their life is going or how much it might suck. This type normally doesnt take anything on a serious level but relies on being funny as a way to socialize, because that is how they grew up, and thats the way they know how to communicate. I find it hard for them to socialize with people on a personal level, sharing thoughts and feelings and just letting people to know you in general. This may be due to the fact that they cant accept judgement or want to feel rejected. so when they act funny, its a way of feeling accepted by others. But I think it's their decision to act that way around others, if they truly wanted to becoime close friends w/others I think they would be able to. This is just my opinion, you guys might feel differently. I'm the serious and analytical type of person because i was raised that way, although i dont mind using humor every now and then as well as enjoy others' as well. Humor helps heighten up the mood anytime and helps people feel more loose to talk about things. Just go up to the girl and ask how's it going, then just say something in relation to class..a teacher..school..any other category you can think of that's funny. (ex: you know half of my class was asleep when mr. whatever was giving a lecture) after that line, it should help loosen up the mood and things should be able to flow easily from there, hope this helps!! Link to post Share on other sites
Jim24 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Thanks for your advice everyone, I just hope I don't accidentally croak when the time comes. Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie31 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I didn't read everyone's responses, so someone might have already said this, but anyway.... Everyone has their own unique personality. You can't change that. It's in your genes. And not every girl likes a funny guy. I mean, a sense of humor is a good thing, but you don't have to be cracking jokes all the time to have a g-friend. If you are a serious guy, then that's just how you are, you can't change it and there's nothing wrong with that. You will find someone that likes your personality. Maybe you should go for a more serious girl. IT's ok. I think sometimes that people that try to be the center of attention and overly funny sometimes have some insecurities. THey are afraid that people will laugh AT them, so instead they are funny so people will laugh WITH them. That's just what I think. But everyone's personality is different and that's what makes each person unique and special. Don't try to change who you are. Link to post Share on other sites
Aonz Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 "Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing." -- William James (1842-1910) Link to post Share on other sites
subtitled Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 i love that quote! Link to post Share on other sites
jenny Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 i'm going to get crucified for this, but part of the reason i think i have more guy friends is that they are almost always wittier. it's a fantastic surprise when i find out a woman is witty; but it's a necessity in men. Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 i'm going to get crucified for this, but part of the reason i think i have more guy friends is that they are almost always wittier. it's a fantastic surprise when i find out a woman is witty; but it's a necessity in men. I've also found this to be true. I encounter far more men than women who possess a good sense of humor and ability to deliver it. I don't know if there is some biological reason for this....or if it is society telling women to stay away from those high-paying stand-up comedian jobs. Speaking of...I watch a lot of stand-up and it seems a majority of the female comedians (who are a minority of all comedians) are just plain bitter. Their comedy is biting, sarcastic, and rarely funny. You don't see that so prevalent amongst the male comedians. I also don't see many good comedic actresses when compared to the number of males of the same. Link to post Share on other sites
subtitled Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 i agree with you jenny, and yeh female comedians tend to make gender specific jokes, like about breast feeding or something that isnt really funny, just a way of them targeting a group they know will empathise... real humour appeals to everyone cos it reflects human nature (or i think at least). Quite often female comedians are yeh, bitter and just use stand up as a bitching session, which irritates me. Link to post Share on other sites
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