Humor is a unique human trait. Most of us have unique likes, dislikes, cultural backgrounds and life experiences, which makes finding a funny subject or theme as easy as extracting an elephant’s wisdom tooth. Humor can be found in everything under the sun. But, where does one aspiring to be funny look? Look in the mirror. If you want to know how to be funny, other than telling a few corny jokes, there are some well tested methods you can apply to get a few laughs.
Laugh at Yourself
The first step in being funny should be easy. Laugh at yourself. From the moment you wake up, observe your actions in great detail, especially when you’re using the restroom. Do you get out of bed on the left or on the ‘right’ side of the bed? Do you put your pants on with your left or right leg first? When you lose your balance while putting on your pants, do you quickly let go of your pants, or are you the type that falls to the ground still firmly griping your clothes? Observing your daily actions can be a gold mine of funny moments you can share with others.
Don’t tell Jokes, Share Stories
Jokes are an easy way to get a quick laugh out of a crowd, but if you use them too often or too much, you will quickly lose the attention of your audience and cease being funny. Not all jokes work on every crowd, but telling a funny story is the best way to bond to an audience. If you can find humor in the mundane daily activities of life, you will be a good story teller and people will find you funny to listen too.
Consider Opposites
Consider opposites when people talk, or when thinking of funny things to talk about. For instance, if someone mentions eating a juicy hamburger, think of what a dry hamburger would taste like? Instead of a cold coke, you may say “I like my coke hot like my coffee.” When someone is seeking professional medical advice, why not offer your unprofessional medical advice. Learning how to use opposites is one of the best tips on how to be funny.
Tell the Truth
Many funny-guys tell lies to get laughs. Lying is nothing new in comedy; lies are a great way to set up a joke for a punch line. But, exaggerating about yourself and others to get a laugh is not healthy humor. There is a difference between making people laugh and sharing a laugh with your audience. To be truthfully funny takes skill, but it’s what makes veteran funny-men truly funny.
Have Fun being Funny
Some people try very hard to be funny and their efforts show that they are not having fun. If you’re not having fun being funny, then your audience will see right through you. What’s the difference between being funny and having fun? Being funny to others can provoke laughter, but funny has limited applicability and people soon forget the good time you’ve shown them as soon as the laughter wears off. On the other-hand, having fun with your audience is personal. When you can have fun and laugh alongside your audience, you then become one with them and that memory can last a lifetime, for you and your audience.
Trial and Error
Only by trial and error can you develop your fun skills and discover how to be funny. Whether you’re passing along jokes you’ve pick up at school or on the wall of your neighborhood bar, or sharing stories of your recent bathroom adventures, you will begin to develop your own effective style of funny. Just remember, not all ‘humor’ beings are the same, so don’t get discouraged if not everyone finds you truly funny.
Be Yourself
Be yourself, you don’t have to act differently to be funny, unless you’re on-stage in a police line-up of wanted circus clowns. The best way how to be funny is by telling stories that relate to ordinary everyday circumstances where strange things happen. Anyone will laugh when they hear of a humorous ordinary situation that they can relate too. A common trap, which many want-to-be funny-guys have fallen into when they try to be funny, is feeling they have to become someone or something that they are not.
The best tips on how to be funny are the simplest ones. Laugh at yourself, tell funny stories, have fun and be yourself. You are a unique humor being, the way you walk, the way you talk, dress, and get out of bed, even the way you tell stories. While it is inspiring to listen to various comedians, read funny books and listen to jokes, it will be your own style of humor that will work the best for you when trying to be funny.