humor tips thread #1

Study popular comedians that regular people like. Study the content of their jokes, and delivery. Steal jokes from obscure comedians. Study improv to develop timing and quick wits. Break down the structure of jokes to develop your own.

Also, brevity is the soul of wit. Use simple words that pack a punch.

If you don't have actual cool stories, lie for the time being. Work your way towards doing cool things so you have cool stories.

Don't be a humorbot though. Otherwise people will pigeonhole you as "THE FUNNY GUY"

>>16673850
thanks mang

>>16673850
that seems like a lot of effort just to try to make superficial people like you.

>>16673931

It is. But OP didn't ask for how to be happy with themselves.

All things being equal, it's easier to get things done if people like you. Humor is definitely a way for people to like you.

Combined with a strong sense of purpose, things become a bit easier.

The easiest way to be funny is to be empathetic. Listen to people, remember what they tell you, details about them and your conversation.

Then bring these details back later on, either as a punchline (subverting the expectations of your listener) or an observation (pointing out an absurdity). Not only will they laugh, but they'll feel like you're really engaging with what they're saying.

But yeah, like >>16673850 said, it's hard to describe. Comedy is a combination of so many subtle elements (timing, delivery, wit, vocabulary, self-awareness, situational-awareness etc). The best thing to do is find out what you personally find funny (tv shows, comedians), and then try to analyze what makes it funny to you.

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and yeah, I know this stems from low self confidence and seeking the approval of others, but I'll work on that another time

>>16673931
>that seems like a lot of effort just to try to make superficial people like you.
So if people think that you're boring, your immediate reaction is that there must be something wrong with them?
That's a really backwards attitude. Humor is a learned skill that will help you in most facets of life, and it just feels plain good to get a positive reaction out of people.

Observational humor. Connect things together. Relate stories or jokes, tie them back in with each other.
If it's with one group of friends, it gets easier. You'll have your inside jokes, maybe even a single word that cracks everyone up. The more you get to know people, the more you know what kinds of things they find funny. If you just try to be funny in general, that's not going to make you friends. Work on connecting with people before you work on sense of humor. Then it'll come easier too.

As previously said, try to study popular comedians. Personally, I would look at different material from different decades to analyze the varying components of a joke. Perhaps, check the dry/sadistic remarks of George Carlin, as well as the mocking wit seen in the humor of Seinfeld. Comedy is all about address the current situation and taking a lighter look at life. Try to avoid being too aggressive with it until you've established some relationships! A quick remark every once in a while can easily start a conversation with someone new! Humor was always my go to in school, and by the time I was a senior, I was nominated for class clown. haha. Hope this helps!

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>>16673995
>>16673988
>>16673960
you guys have been real helpful. I guess I should start watching some more specials on netflix or something. Is Louis ck any good? I've never actually seen his stuff

>>16674025
Yeah. He may be a bit crude and harsh if you are trying to start branching out though. But Louis will definitely aid in understanding how to make a funny joke out of a personal experience!

>>16674025
Louis CK is probably a bit too much self-depreciation. Comedians can get away with that, but it won't be a good place for you to start if you want to make friends. Need to build more confidence and have friends you're close with before using that humor.

One of the best ways for me to start conversation with someone would be to joke about a certain common event. Something as stupid as "that long homework assignment that we both have" can be a great reference point!

>>16673960
This. This is how you become "a funny person" instead of "a jokester".
Beyond that, I don't really know what to say. A sense of humour is just something you're born with. People say I'm funny, but a lot of the time I'm just saying shit. Learning how to deliver will definitely help, and won't seem as forced as simply learning funny things to say. The best cracks and jokes fall flat if they aren't placed/tomed right. Like Mike Tyson's fist on an anemic's arm.

>>16673967
Also I have shit self confidence, humour can be a way to work around it. I say funny things because I'm pretty garbage at socialisation otherwise.

>>16674167
Also don't be that fuckin twat that has to be the funniest fucker around. Know when to take the backseat on someone else's good joke. Learn to laugh and you'll more easily learn how to make others laugh.
In some situations, even a good reaction, without words, can be as good as, or better than, making a crack. Body language is important, just like in normal conversation.

Turns I do have a bit to say on the topic, but I'll stop and let some other peeps chime in rather than hogging up the thread. Any questions just ask away, I haven't studied humour but I'd be glad to help if I can.

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>>16674185
I'm finding that ' don't blurt out a joke every minute' is a common theme. thank you for the help

Watching Opie & Anthony or one of the show's constituent podcasts will make you much funnier. I recommend any clip featuring Patrice O'Neal - you'll gradually develop funnier banter from hearing him.