In survey after survey, a sense of humor is one of the most
admired traits of an individual. Yet, when asked to define what a
“sense of humor” is, most people reply someone who is “funny.”
However, when asked what makes people funny, the answer is
generally, “They just are.”
Humor has many faces and is based upon a wide variety of
circumstances and responses, which can range from the unexpected
to a play on words, such as puns. Strangely, the funniest things are
those that have an element of truth in them. Since we each laugh
at different things, humor may be physical and, thus, requires no
verbiage. We see it and laugh; like we did when Lucille Ball was
boxing chocolates from a conveyor belt. Intellectual humor, however,
requires that you have knowledge of the subject and understand the
language. Intellectual humor, such as double entendre, often relies on
idioms and other local or cultural word uses; such as, “No matter
how much you push the envelope, it is still stationery.” Exaggeration
and irony are other forms of humor that most of us are familiar with.
Ultimately, though, humor is very elusive, specific, and often nonuniversal.
Therefore, it is much like art, in that there is no good or
bad art – there is only art that you like and art that you don’t. Or, as
I like to say, “I know good art when I see it.” Humor is only funny
if you find it so. That is why we know what we find funny when we
experience it. Falling into an open manhole can be funny, provided you
are not the one who is falling.
My personal sense of humor is based primarily on two principles
that are in direct opposition to each other. One is the unexpected
or inappropriate remark, while the other is the obvious but, once
again, often inappropriate observation like, “I’m unique, just like
everyone else.” Somewhere in between is the contradictory statement,
such as “He’d give his right arm to be ambidextrous.”
Humor can also be observations of the absurdity of life or situations.
These are quite different from jokes. Jokes are funny, but they are
not necessarily humor. Yet, to separate the two can almost become
impossible. One of my favorites in this category is, “There are only three
types of people; those who understand numbers and those who
don’t.”
The nice thing is that anyone can develop a sense of humor. But to
do so, you must practice, just as you would a musical instrument.
Watching comedies on television or at the movies, listening to
comedians, or reading humorous works will all lead you in the
right direction. However, true humor can’t be copied, but it can be
cultivated. You can teach yourself to think in a funny manner and
to recognize the absurdities of life that constantly go on around you.
Being humorous takes work, but it is worth it. Humor can relieve
tension, help others relax, relieve stress and most of all, make you
smile. When you develop a sense of humor, others may not think
you’re funny, but you will giggle as you begin to view life from the
funny side up. The rest is up to you, and the best way to develop a
sense of humor is to learn to laugh at yourself. Once you learn to laugh
at yourself, you’ll find humor everywhere you look. I certainly do.
I’m not myself today and everybody has noticed the improvement 27