Col1 Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 I use self-deprecating humor to show that I have a sense of humor. A little like Rodney Dangerfield's, but not his schtick. Do other people like when someone uses self-deprecating humor, or do they view that as weakness/lame? Link to post Share on other sites
TAV Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 I definitely think it's a plus. You should never take yourself too seriously!! 3 Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 A few jokes in that area is fine. If all your jokes are like that, imo it is a sign that you don't like yourself very much. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
writergal Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 (edited) The funniest comedians use self-deprecating humor. It's how you establish rapport with your audience. Funny people have a lot of friends b/c they are easy to relate to. They show you their weaknesses up front and make fun of them, which puts you at ease so you can open up and relate. I love funny people!! The more sarcastic, the better! My idea of a fun time is trading barbs with people - who can out quip who. ETA: The most successful people in life use their sense of humor to help them in their work too. Who doesn't remember their teacher who told jokes all the time? A sense of humor is a necessity in life. Edited June 15, 2014 by writergal 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Author Col1 Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share Posted June 15, 2014 I use self-deprecating humor. I don't put other people down; I just make light of myself. What I don't like is when people take advantage of that and start putting me down - using what I've said against me, in front of others or on social media. " Oh, we don't want Colin to go because he'll drag down our 'swag' rating, lol." 'eF that. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
writergal Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 I use self-deprecating humor. I don't put other people down; I just make light of myself. What I don't like is when people take advantage of that and start putting me down - using what I've said against me, in front of others or on social media. " Oh, we don't want Colin to go because he'll drag down our 'swag' rating, lol." 'eF that. Yeah, those people aren't your friends Collin. They sound like DB's. Not everyone is born with a sense of humor like you are, so count yourself among the lucky few. Keep being funny. Keep being you. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Tayla Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Its okay to use it. Shows you have some humility. that you aren't grandiose . making light of ones flaws can be charming. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Kid_Charlemange Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 I use self-deprecating humor to show that I have a sense of humor. A little like Rodney Dangerfield's, but not his schtick. Do other people like when someone uses self-deprecating humor, or do they view that as weakness/lame? I've always used it. But lately I've come to realize that I use it too much. It's a bit like grinding some fresh pepper over your pasta: A little bit improves the meal, but if you open up the grinder and dump it all out, it ruins everything. I first noticed the tactic years ago watching military officers address their troops. Very often these guys would season their presentations, briefings, whatever, with a bit of self-deprecation. So I started using it myself, and it brought good results. Somewhere along the way, however, I started overusing, and lost sight of how those senior officers would use it effectively: They used it to embolden their men. For example, an officer would say "Fact is, I don't know this stuff as well as you guys. I'm lucky to have smart men in company to make sure the brass doesn't realize I'm usually the last to understand the equipment." That sort of thing. The men would laugh, and see their CO as a more approachable guy. But most importantly, they realized he was counting on them. Very different from the Woody Allen brand of self-deprecation. Last year was a very rough year for me in terms of relationships. So bad, that I actually started talking to some pros. And they told me that my affinity for self-deprecation was turning people off. I was taking it too far. I've really tried to rein that in recently. I think it's helping. Try this: Next time you start to use it, hold off. Then the next time it seems logical, ask yourself, "Well is this situation funnier than the last?" If not, hold off again. If it is, go for it. See if that makes a difference. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
pteromom Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 It has to be balanced with comments and actions that show you actually do like yourself and have confidence in yourself. But sure, in moderation it can be very funny and help you connect to people. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce Leigh Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 I love funny people!! The more sarcastic, the better! My idea of a fun time is trading barbs with people - who can out quip who. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Never really understood that phrase and why my mother would say it from time to time. One of my oldest friends is possibly the most sarcastic person i know. People either love or hate him. My mother hates his guts 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Targetlock Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Yeah I use it, you got to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes and I don't try and use it too often as it can be a bit much. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
writergal Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Never really understood that phrase and why my mother would say it from time to time. One of my oldest friends is possibly the most sarcastic person i know. People either love or hate him. My mother hates his guts Haha! I'd probably like your friend then! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Haydn Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Don`t give up the day job. Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce Leigh Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Haha! I'd probably like your friend then! He met his soul mate about 7 years ago and she is almost as dry and sarcastic as he is !! Trying to have a serious conversation with those two is a challenge at times 2 Link to post Share on other sites
writergal Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 He met his soul mate about 7 years ago and she is almost as dry and sarcastic as he is !! Trying to have a serious conversation with those two is a challenge at times They sound like my kinda people Bruce! Link to post Share on other sites
Targetlock Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 i do love a bit of dry wit and sarcasm when it is done well 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Tayla Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Not sure self depracating humor and sarcasm are in the same arena. Absolutely love witty comments, brief, and thought provoking. got a co worker that rarely can be anything but sarcastic, its hard to have a civil conversation without a sense of demeaning others being out put. Being able to make light of your human shortcomings is not the same as being arrogant and sarcastic towards others.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce Leigh Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Being able to make light of your human shortcomings is not the same as being arrogant and sarcastic towards others.... True but most people i know who like to use sarcasm freely make a joke at their own expense. I like to think that if you can't laugh at yourself how do you expect anybody else to? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) I have to be able to laugh at myself .....there is this comedian i watched as a teen his name was steady eddy .......and he had some major disabilities instead of going poor me he would draw attention to his flaws......on stage no less...no one ever booed him off because you could not help but like him and sometimes what he said was profound...he was and is highly intelligent...he was a real person who had real flaws and he embraced them as part of him and turned them into such a positivity, that you could not do anything but smile.....and want to know him better as another person said military leaders do it so that you can approach them, trust they will understand you and not be scared of them as people, to do so is to be part of the team and not above the team in any respect sure he ha the responsibility but you know that guy or woman who self depreciates is going to be the best leader because they will respect you in spite of your flaws adn you are able to build a level of trust within those you lead.....as being honest forthright, appriochable and fun at the same time.... It is also a tactic used to lull a person into a false sense of security....as in an enemy......and all leaders have enemies someone who want to usurp them.......sometimes self depreciation can turn an enemy on the defense into a friend which is the best case scenario......or allow true capabilities to remain in the background and unseen and discounted due to flaws being shown in the forefront .....deb Edited June 17, 2014 by todreaminblue 1 Link to post Share on other sites
writergal Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) Don`t give up the day job. Is it time for your medication? I don't know what your problem is, but I bet it's hard to pronounce. JUST KIDDIN! Edited June 17, 2014 by writergal 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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