How to Be Funny Without Telling Jokes

Co-authored by Kendall Payne

Last Updated: September 2, 2024

You don't have to know how to tell jokes to crack people up. You can make people laugh simply by finding the funny side in day-to-day life. Spend some time searching for the right material, find a way to use humor naturally, and immerse yourself in humor.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding the Right Material

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Learn about appropriate material. People tend to see the material you use for comedy as a reflection of your personality. Learning the right material for the right audience can help you come off as funny without alienating or offending others.
- Context is key. Where is it you're trying to be funny? Do you want to be the funny guy at work or school? Or are you looking to be the breakout sensation in your local improv troupe? Lighthearted, non-controversial material is best for a professional audience while laughing off slightly edgier subjects might win you favor in the world of professional comedy.^{[1]
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- Remember, what you joke about is a reflection of you. If you tend to mock recent tragedies or controversies, people may feel uncomfortable around you. Being edgy can be a positive for a comedic career, of course, but if you're new to comedy it might be best to stick with lighter subjects until you get the hang of making people laugh.^{[2]
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- Appropriate material can be found anywhere. People tend to appreciate those who find humor in a host of subjects. Try and see the funny side in aspects of day-to-day life.^{[3]
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  Kendall Payne
  Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian
  
  Expert Interview. 3 April 2020.} Anything from riding a bus to pouring your morning coffee can be used as fodder for humor.^{[4]
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Immerse yourself in funny things. A great way to build your sense of humor is by exposing yourself to things that are funny. It's hard to force being funny but you tend to unconsciously take on traits of media you view. Just like writers become better writers through reading, immersing yourself in humorous material can help hone your sense of humor.
- Watch funny clips of people online. Many YouTubers incorporate humor without explicitly telling jokes.^{[5]
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- View funny movies and television shows. Late night talk show hosts are often funny through observational humor and funny, candid responses to their guests rather than overtly telling jokes.^{[6]
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- Listen to funny podcasts and hang around people who enjoy laughing.^{[7]
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Observe how people react in day-to-day life. You can gauge the type of material people find funny by doing some basic people-watching. Go to a coffee shop and watch people banter with baristas. Attend an art show or concert alone and listen to people converse. Pay attention to lunch room interactions at work. See when and why people laugh.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Humor Naturally

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Do not force your humor. The funniest people do not force their funny side. They wait for an opportune moment to make a funny observation.
- The best moments of humor and levity do not happen by force. If you're striving to be funny in day-to-day life, do not behave as if you're at a comedy club. Engage with people in serious conversation and when you think of an amusing observation, feel free to throw it in. Just do not enter a conversation planning to make people laugh. Allow it to happen at its own pace.
- Use moderation. Most comedic experts adhere to the "Three Gag Rule." That is, in any situation you should get in no more than three funny comments in a row. You do not want to look like an attention hog.^{[9]
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Tell humorous anecdotes. A great way to be funny without joking is to tell funny stories. Did you have a funnier than average childhood? Did you have an awkward experience at prom in 11th grade? Do you have hilarious stories about you and your friends from college? Have a host of funny stories on queue to make people laugh.
- Try to think of the moments in your life that you laughed the most. Are these moments appropriate to share? Would others be amused? Try to think of funny stories to share with others. This is a great way to make people laugh without cracking a joke.^{[10]
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- Sometimes, how you tell a story is just as funny as the content of the story itself. Listen to podcasts like "This American Life" where people tell amusing anecdotes. Read David Sedaris essays and watch clips of his readings. Pay attention to how speakers tell the stories, where they pause, smile, and laugh themselves. Try to learn how to tell a story in an amusing fashion.^{[11]
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Embrace your wacky side. If you want to be funny without telling jokes, try simply being clownish! Being a wacky, goofy person can make people laugh.
- Play harmless pranks on friends and co-workers; you may also croon a campfire song to cheer up a sad friend.
- Do not try to force wackiness as people tend to be annoyed at cultivated goofiness; focus on things that are amusing to you. It is easier to make people laugh if you're using material that comes to you organically.
A great way to learn to be funny is to spend time around funny people. You'll learn how to insert humor naturally into a situation through observation. Hang around friends, family members, and co-workers who have a reputation for having a great sense of humor.
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Bring humor into conversations. You don't have to limit funniness to yourself. People tend to be drawn to those who bring out the humor around them. When in conversations, try to encourage people to embrace their own funny sides.
- Ask people for funny stories. Start a conversation by asking, "What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?" or "What's a stupid thing that always makes you laugh?"^{[12]
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- Laugh at other people's amusing stories and compliment them, saying something like, "That's so funny!" People crave being around funny people but might feel annoyed if you always hog the spotlight. Make room for others.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Immersing Yourself in Humor

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Make yourself a fun environment. If you want to be funny, surround yourself with funny things. Make a conscious effort to cultivate a fun environment for yourself.
- Keep objects in your home that remind you of fun times. Have a picture up from that hilarious road trip you took with your college friends. Tape up funny cartoons to your walls. Put up posters from funny television shows and movies.
- Put up an amusing screensaver on your computer or phone. Have appropriate but amusing magazine clippings and photos up in your office cubicle.
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Spend time with kids. Children have fewer inhibitions than adults and often feel more free to express their silly side. Spending time with kids can help you lighten up and embrace your funny side.
- If you're a parent, work on spending more time with your own kids laughing. If you have friends or relatives with young children, offer to babysit.
- Volunteer to work with children. Hospitals, nurseries, and daycare centers are always looking for volunteers.
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Incorporate downtime into your schedule. Between the business of work and other obligations, people often neglect downtime. Make a conscious effort to take some time every day to relax and laugh.
- Have a daily ritual where you allow yourself to laugh. Watch a funny movie or television show. Read the comics. Call up a friend who always makes you smile.
- Many people feel they don't have time to laugh. However, people who make time for pleasure are actually more productive overall. You can also find ways to incorporate humor into your day-to-day activities. Listen to a funny podcast while commuting to work or exercising. Have a funny movie on in the background while you're doing dishes at night.
If you tend to watch intense dramas, you might have trouble seeing the levity in life. Try to make room for funny TV shows and movies. Ask friends for suggestions for funny shows. Read reviews online of the newest, funniest comedies.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I make everything funny?

Kendall Payne
Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian
Kendall Payne is a Writer, Director, and Stand-up Comedian based in Brooklyn, New York. Kendall specializes in directing, writing, and producing comedic short films. Her films have screened at Indie Short Fest, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Channel 101 NY, and 8 Ball TV. She has also written and directed content for the Netflix is a Joke social channels and has written marketing scripts for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Astronomy Club, Wine Country, Bash Brothers, Stand Up Specials and more. Kendall runs an IRL internet comedy show at Caveat called Extremely Online, and a comedy show for @ssholes called Sugarp!ss at Easy Lover. She studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and at New York University (NYU) Tisch in the TV Writing Certificate Program.

Kendall Payne

Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian

Expert Answer

Try looking for the funny things in everyday situations. Write them down as you see them so you can talk about them later.

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Tips

Hang around with your friends who you think have a great sense of humour. By spending more time with him, you can learn a lot from him/her.

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Don't be afraid to poke fun at yourself. People often feel comfortable around those who have a self-depreciating sense of humor.

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Sarcasm can sometimes be hard to read so use it with discretion.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Use sarcasm with a smile so people don't think you're being serious. Also, don't use sarcasm in texts unless you indicate it clearly with emojis or tone indicators. For example: "I just love when my bus is late".
If you have a friend who's naturally funny, gently ask them to help bring out your humor. Don't seem too desperate for a crowd — start small by trying out jokes with just your funny friend first.
Know the real meaning behind the jokes you think your audience finds funny. You'll come off more authentic if you actually understand what's making them laugh, instead of just memorizing jokes.
Purposely give the wrong answer to a question someone asks you, then laugh. But only do this with friends and if the situation calls for some fun.
Try to think of amusing dances or routines you can do. Seeing a family member's signature silly dance can be contagious.

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