How To Tell A Good Joke

 

Telling a good joke can be a fine art. In our family it is an emotional connector, an indicator of mental health, and a boost to positive energy.  

While humor is subjective, there are some general principles that can help increase the likelihood of successful pulling off a knee-slapping pun or cracking a witty story. 

Here are some tips on what's required to tell a good joke:

1. Know Your Audience: Understanding who you're telling the joke to is crucial. Different people find different things funny, so tailor your joke to your audience's sensibilities. 

When my husband and I were "new" together, I was invited to a few events with his family. These were lovely, warm European folks who sometimes inserted jokes in their language into the general dinner conversation.

When I looked rather lost, my then-boyfriend attempted a translation of the joke that they had all laughed uproariously at. 

I don't remember what it was, but I do remember thinking, "Ick! That isn't funny in the least!"

 A few years later I saw my WASPy grandfather laughing along with my husband's family at a joke in a language he didn't have any idea about. I appreciated his grace. (To be fair, these jokes were pretty rare. I took a cue from my grandpa and just laughed along).

2. Timing: Timing is everything in comedy. Deliver your joke at the right moment to maximize its impact. Pausing before the punchline can build anticipation and make the payoff funnier.

Very important. And if you do the dramatic pause before the punchline, please have practiced* the punchline a few times so you get it right!

*3. Practice: Like any skill, joke-telling improves with practice. Test your jokes out on friends and family to see what works and what doesn't. Be prepared for some razzing if you get the punchline wrong. 

4. Originality: Original jokes are often the funniest. While it's okay to borrow from existing joke structures, putting your own unique spin on them can make them feel fresh and unexpected.

Google to find witty, non-offensive jokes... there are legions of them!

5. Observational Skills: Good jokes often stem from keen observation of everyday life. Pay attention to your surroundings and look for humor in the mundane.

I have a particular affinity for funny comments or events from the past. There are certain things that I think of as "my jokes". 

My husband has not drunk alcohol for several years, and indeed, I don't think ever boozed in front of our children. But he has German roots and he does like the taste of beer-- so when non-alcoholic beer turned up in our local supermarket in the late 80s, he often came home with a six-pack, and guzzled away. 

Our young teen son commented one day, "Dad, you are drinking so much of that non-alcoholic beer I think you are becoming a non-alcoholic."

6. Confidence: Confidence in delivery can make even an average joke funny. Believe in your joke and deliver it with conviction. 

I have found that if you are known to have problems with timing and punchlines, people will laugh at these foibles, sometimes with as much mirth as they laugh at well-punched funnies.

7. Simplicity: Keep your joke simple and easy to understand. Overly complex jokes can confuse your audience and dilute the humor.

My Mom's favorite joke at parties where the room was beginning to go blue: Why doesn't the little duck walk softly? Because he can't walk, hardly.

8. Adaptability: Be prepared to adapt your joke based on the reaction of your audience. If they're not laughing, don't be afraid to pivot or abandon the joke altogether.

9. Relevance: Make sure your joke is relevant to the situation or conversation. Randomly inserting a joke that has nothing to do with the topic at hand might fall flat.

10. Read the Room: Finally, always read the room before telling a joke. If the mood is somber or serious, a joke might not be appropriate. Use your judgment to gauge whether the timing is right.

In a social media situation, be particularly aware of the fact that your audience might include more diversity than you are aware of, and more readers will probably drop in after you have posted. 

It really is impossible "to read the room" on Facebook or Twitter/X.  Emotional intelligence and good ethical practice will serve you best in your on-line funniness.  

Remember, not every joke will land, and that's okay. The key is to keep trying and learning from your experiences.

Laughter really is the best medicine!

{{I'd love to read one of your fave funny stories in the comments below!!}}