Making fun of a friend or colleague can make everyone laugh, especially if the victim takes jokes well. However, it is important to know where to draw the line, so as not to risk damaging the relationship you have with that person. Since the thin line that separates a funny joke from a bad one isn't the same for everyone, you should think about the character of who you are kidding, what topics you can cover, and how to say the jabs the right way.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finding Joke Ideas
Step 1. Seek inspiration
If you're new to teasing, do some research. Watch shows where celebrities are taunted and learn about techniques used to get more laughs. You can find them on comedy channels or on the internet.
Be aware that professional comedians can go further than is right in your situation. For example, if you are making fun of your boss, making sure you are not being offensive at all
Step 2. Think about odd habits and quirks
Write down everything your victim does that can be considered silly or funny. Maybe he always eats his food on separate plates or only gets on the elevator if there are fewer than 5 people present. These little quirks are ideal for giving rise to original teasing.
For example, if the person you're kidding loves jam and ham sandwiches, it's pretty unusual and people may find it funny. However, if the victim has a habit of sending bad messages, that's not quite as ridiculous. This is not normal, but it also causes emotional damage to people
Step 3. Bring back memorable memories
Another great source of teasing is the more interesting interactions you have had with the victim. We all have bad days and the person's behavior on one of those occasions can give you the cue for a joke. Alternatively, if you have any recollection of a really funny gesture from the victim, this is an ideal story for a mockery.
For example, the victim might have jumped into the pool (fully clothed) at a company party to save a box of donuts. You can use that story to make fun of her
Step 4. Bigger the truth, but don't ignore it
Often the jokes that elicit the most laughter are those with a grain of truth, but which are not bad.
For example, you could mention the pants that Giovanni wears to go to work and that are too short in a joke that compares him to Pierino. However, don't attack a person's sense of style without any context and don't mock them for wearing clothes that make them look fat
Step 5. Get information from other people
If you can't find enough material on your own, you can ask others if they have anything to add. They may give you ideas you never thought of, making the teasing much more effective.
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You could also use the stories told over the years in your social group. For example, maybe the victim often burns dinner when he has guests and those episodes have become a recurring joke in your group:
Everyone knows about Giorgio's misadventures at the grill. So when he invites me for a barbecue, I call the fire brigade directly. Let's not exaggerate, I actually make up an excuse and order something to take away. It's not a joke. Giorgio is just bad, bad Cook
Step 6. State the obvious
Don't lose your head looking for original jokes. Focus first on the elements that everyone who knows the victim will recognize immediately. She is very tall? Does he have a surprisingly low voice? Is she bald? You can make a lot of jokes about these easy targets, as long as they are characteristics that are fair to joke about.
- Is the victim getting old ?: "Laura doesn't need to go to the movies to see The Mummy. She was there when they wrapped her in bandages and buried her."
- Does victim have difficulty with technological devices ?: "Laura is a good nurse, but she is terrible with computers. She has introduced more viruses into the hospital than patients."
- Is the person stingy ?: "Laura is so stingy that at the corner bar they had to change the sign on the tip plates to" LEAVE tip, don't tip Laura! ".
Method 2 of 3: Refine and Present Jokes
Step 1. Create tickets that give you more options for the punchline
Put a story or an introductory phrase on one side of the card, while on the other write the lines, including various options (little offensive, more offensive, completely different direction). This will make it easier to change strategy based on the audience's reaction. For instance:
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"Look at him there, sprawled in his chair. My brother is so lazy …"
- "… who can't even find the strength to laugh at these hilarious jokes."
- "… that when his ex-wife said to him« Enough, I'm leaving », he replied« Could you have me a beer before you go out? »"
- "… that no one asks him to do anything anymore. Wait, but my brother is a genius!"
Step 2. Use the element of surprise
Often the unexpected jokes are the best. When people expect the story to end a certain way, an unexpected outcome can cause laughter. Use the victim's quirks to create this surprise. Alternatively, you can use an original joke to surprise the audience.
For example, imagine the victim has an obsession with tea. You could tell this story: "I once saw Carlo drag a box of 200 tea bags around the office. I asked him" Carlo, how does one person drink all that tea? " and he replied, "I'll tell you a secret, I dip my feet under the desk to avoid the stink." And when I replied with "So why do you always have brown stained teeth?" he said to me, "Well, I can't waste all that expensive tea."
Step 3. Think about timing
To be fun it is important to choose the right moments. If you tell a story too quickly and get straight to the joke, no one is likely to laugh. Remember to take breaks instead, so that the audience can follow you, especially before saying the punchline.
Step 4. Focus on the details
What makes teasing really fun is giving perspective to what you say by telling stories that reinforce your joke. If you just say, "Haha, isn't that funny Marco? He's always late", it's not very funny. However, if you repeat the same idea in a story, people will laugh.
- For example, you might say, "Marco never came to a meeting on time. In fact, when it was his turn to lead one, he thought he should start with" Okay, are there any questions before I finish? " And for breakfast he brought a cup of coffee and half a donut to share with everyone."
- While providing details is good, make sure you don't waste too much time getting to the joke.
Step 5. Talk confidently
If you yourself don't believe your jokes, neither will the people who listen to you, who won't laugh. You have to believe in what you say or at least give the impression that you are doing it; only in this way will you involve everyone.
- Look around and stare people in the eye. Keep your back straight and try not to move nervously. Speak in a clear, engaging tone.
- Practice in front of the mirror a couple of times and remember that you are acting.
Method 3 of 3: Finding the Balance Between Funny and Bad
Step 1. Make sure the victim has a good sense of humor
Don't make fun of someone who will be offended by what you say. Think about it: have you ever joked with that person? If he has reacted badly, he is probably not a good candidate. You might even ask her if she's willing to be teased, as long as it's not a surprise.
While people who dislike jokes are often the ones who deserve the teasing the most, they are almost always the worst victims. Only involve people who can laugh at themselves
Step 2. Find out where the limit is
When you make fun of someone you will find that there is a line that you must not cross; if you do, you could offend her a lot. The problem is that every person has a different tolerance, so it's not easy to get this information.
- Use your previous experiences with the victim to decide which topics are acceptable and which are taboo.
- For example, talking about the eating habits of someone who has had an eating disorder or image problems is not a good idea. On the contrary, for other people it is not a problem to talk about eating habits, while they cannot stand the jokes about clothing.
Step 3. Practice your heavier lines
If you have thought of jokes that might cross the line, try saying them in front of someone who knows the victim well first. For example, if you make fun of a colleague, ask another colleague for their opinion. If the victim is a relative, ask another family member. They will usually be able to tell you if you are overdoing it.
Choose someone who will keep your jokes a secret. If you were really exaggerating, you wouldn't want the news to get to the victim
Step 4. Observe the victim's body language
Thanks to the information you can get, you will understand if you are exaggerating. If he laughs along with everyone else, you're probably doing fine. If he seems uncomfortable, change the subject.
- For example, the victim might have a fake smile or even look upset.
- He may cross his arms or legs, moving away from you, showing unhappiness. He may also seem agitated and move around a lot in his chair.
Step 5. Avoid jokes about past relationships
Previous romantic relationships are often sensitive topics for people, particularly if not much time has passed. It is usually a good idea to avoid jokes about unusual relationships as well. Also, consider who is standing next to the victim when teasing them. If he has a new partner now, recalling the past could cause problems.
That said, some people don't have a problem with jokes like this, even if you were in a relationship with them
Step 6. Avoid jokes about taboo subjects
Don't take any chances when deciding which topics shouldn't be covered. For example, you probably shouldn't joke about someone's mother's death. Likewise, targeting a person's political or religious views will alienate him as well as the public.
Also in this case there are no fixed rules. You need to know your target and your audience
Step 7. Don't be really bad
It's hard to tell when a joke crosses the line and turns bad, but you usually get it. If one of the jokes you're thinking about makes you feel uncomfortable, skip it. Teasing should be fun, not mean.