Entertaining people is an art. To truly entertain people, there is no need to juggle, making hilarious jokes or jumping through hoops. While all of this can work in small doses, the best thing you can do is tune in to what people need and keep people interested in what you have to say. Whether you want to entertain guests around the house or are busy making people laugh out loud in a bar, the most important thing is to trust that what you are saying is worth listening to, intriguing people as you go along. If you want to know how to entertain people, keep reading the article from the first step.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Entertaining People Anywhere
Step 1. Tell funny stories
It can be difficult to tell a story that can entertain a crowd and make people laugh. Some stories are hilarious when told on your own, while others manage to captivate a diverse group of people. The key is that the story needs to be short enough to keep interest high, but long enough to contain funny details that make people want to keep listening. Tell stories with charm and confidence and, if they are successful, you can also re-present some parts, imitating the people involved. While it's not a good idea to spend all night telling anecdotes to entertain people, a story or two a night can really help. Here are some things to consider:
- A story that lightly and cheerfully teases someone you all know, whether it's a friend or a teacher, can make people laugh, especially if you can do imitations. However, if in itself it is miserable, people will naturally shut down.
- Interpret the mood of the audience as you tell the story. If people are looking for eye contact, without whispering to each other or playing with phones, or even nodding slightly as you speak, then they are hooked and want more. But if they move to their feet, looking at each other, or act as if they are sitting in the dentist's chair, then you should probably finish what you are saying earlier than expected.
- Be lively as you tell a story. While there is no need to walk back and forth around the room and gesticulate furiously like Roberto Benigni, it is advisable to stand upright, convey some positivity with body language and gesticulate from time to time during the story.
- Build suspense as you speak. People need a reason to get to the end of the story. If they feel like they already know what's going on, then they won't want to hear the end. Instead of saying, "Let me tell you the story of a crazy woman I've been with who painted my car pink," you can say, "You'll never believe what my ex did to get revenge on me … "So, the audience wants to keep listening because they will want to know what happened next.
Step 2. Laugh at yourself
An important part of entertainment is being able to laugh at yourself. People who entertainers by nature can laugh at themselves because they know and have the confidence to be funny and don't take themselves too seriously. If you show that you are comfortable making a joke at your expense and that you are not too touchy when a joke is flat, then people will open up more and feel comfortable next to you. Also, one of the ways to entertain people is to make fun of yourself in a silly, ridiculous, or unusual way.
- You can test your dancing skills while knowing that you are clumsy. As long as you're laughing, others will think it's funny.
- By making people laugh at you, you will make them feel more united with each other. This method works especially well if you're trying to entertain two groups of friends who don't actually know each other. They probably don't think they have much to talk about at first, but they will feel comfortable once everyone has made fun of you about how much you love your cat.
- This doesn't mean you have to be self-deprecating or belittling yourself to entertain people. However, if you are so comfortable with yourself that you laugh at yourself, then this attitude can help keep people entertained.
Step 3. Ask questions
You will probably think that asking questions isn't very fun, but if you know what questions to ask and can keep your interlocutor's curiosity high, then you can keep people interested, because they will talk about their favorite topics - on their own. As long as you act like you are genuinely interested, and not like you are questioning, people will be happy to open up. Here are some things you can ask for:
- Pets
- Hobby
- Favorite musical groups
- Favorite movies
- Less favorite TV shows
- Favorite way to relax
Step 4. Help people find common ground
Another way to entertain people is to help them find common ground. You might think that wandering around the crowd is as fun as watching the paint dry - only to find out that they are all avid Big Brother fans. You can try talking about movies, books, places you've lived or visited, favorite sports teams, or other topics that can spark a lively discussion and, in the meantime, see what people think about it. He will gradually engage in a fun conversation after you bring up the topic.
- Sport is a good topic, because people tend to express an opinion without feeling so caught up in fighting each other openly, if they are not fans of the same teams.
- Avoid bringing up controversial topics, such as abortion or gay marriage, otherwise a lively but not very funny discussion is likely to start.
Step 5. Let others speak
It's easy to think that the best way to be fun is to tell jokes, play with oranges, moonwalk, or just do a million things to keep the audience interested, but you actually need to take a break from time to time to let someone. another take the floor. If you get into it too loud or talk 90% of the time, people probably won't have as much fun. Your best bet is to try not to completely dominate any conversation, but to give the impression that you are a downright hilarious type when you have the word.
Make sure you are not dominating more than 50% of the conversation when talking to someone and that you are not taking up more than a third of the time when you are in a group. You shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself and you shouldn't bore people either
Step 6. Dance
Another way to entertain people is to show some dance moves. Whether you're a pro or a full-fledged amateur, if you're willing to make a fool of yourself, then you can definitely be really fun if you mimic a dancefloor escape. The most important thing is to be confident and not to worry if you look stupid. People will be heartened and happy that you have exposed yourself without expecting to look perfect. Here are some dance moves to practice before the big debut:
- Moonwalk
- Helicopter
- Robot
- Worm
- Body pop
- [Twerk
Step 7. Gain the attention of others
If you intend to entertain people, then you need to know how to draw attention. While this is a skill that can take time to develop, there are a few things you can do to make sure the people you try to entertain are actually enjoying your intervention. Here's what you can do:
- Speak while modulating your voice well
- Look for eye contact when you speak
- Project confidence by holding your head up and not fidgeting
- Respect people so they will listen to you
Step 8. Badly, go and do something
If you feel like you have nothing more to say, then finding something to do can help keep people interested. Take your friends to an ice skating rink, cinema or bar. Being in a new environment, where interesting things happen, stimulates the brain to set funny thoughts and images in motion. If you feel like people are always bored or restless, sometimes the best thing to do is to suggest that they change positions.
- Go bowling, play "dinner with murder" or do something you haven't done since you were a kid. By helping yourself in this way, you can make people laugh and keep them from taking themselves too seriously.
- Organize a game of basketball or volleyball in a funny way. You will continue to entertain people by keeping them active.
- Go to naturalistic places. By organizing a light hike or even a walk around a lake at a nearby nature area, you can continue to entertain people.
- Who says you're too old to go to the playground? Turn the clock back, going with your friends on the swing, on the climbing bars and on the rides.
Method 2 of 3: Entertaining People at Your Party
Step 1. Make sure you don't run out of sodas
If you're planning an adult party, then this is the first and most important rule to keep in mind when entertaining people. Nothing spoils a good party except the moment when guests realize their beer and wine supplies are gone. Alcohol is a social lubricant and, without it, guests tend to feel uncomfortable, and sometimes even bored. The lack of alcohol also indicates that the party is over and that it is time to go home, so it is not recommended to give your guests this impression.
When budgeting for how much alcohol is needed, you should always consider a few extra supplies in case unexpected guests arrive at the last minute or there are people staying longer than expected. If you spend a lot of money, you can get it from a department store that launches great deals on monthly flyers or some other place that allows you to return it if you think it might be left over and you won't consume it later
Step 2. Prepare food in sufficient quantities
If it's a meeting to entertain guests, there's no need to serve the fanciest dishes, unless you're planning a dinner. In most cases, offering pizza, snacks, burgers, or whatever the event involves will do just fine. You can also organize a dinner where each guest brings something, so as not to worry about cooking or buying everything. In fact, the simpler the food, the better, because it won't keep your guests distracted.
Even if you're just throwing a party that doesn't have any dinner characteristics, it's best to make some snacks. It is not advisable to starve and, in addition, food will help you digest the alcohol you serve
Step 3. Propose something to make conversation
One way to get guests to talk is to propose something that stimulates conversation. You can do this by using a ridiculous photo of you dressed up as a zebra to pique their curiosity, a flower arrangement so exotic that they can't help but wonder where it came from, a new gizmo you're excited about, or (heck!) Even the your kitty, Dexter, who is the mascot of the party. While it's not mandatory to do all of this to entertain guests, finding a gimmick for invited people to talk, laugh, or ask questions will surely help keep them entertained.
You can also leave some gossip magazines lying around. Even if you prefer to have guests chat instead of reading, a magazine can be a fun tool that causes hilarity among all the guests. Who wouldn't want it?
Step 4. Create mixed activities
It can be fun to come up with something that can help keep guests entertained and keep the party from falling apart. Even if there are enough people at parties who want to talk and have fun, preparing some games or activities can help guests get into the spirit of fun and get to know each other a little better. Below you will find some things to propose to entertain your guests:
- Jenga
- Trivial
- An old photo album
- Video games
- Record player
- Domino
Step 5. Behave like a kind host
Make sure guests know where to put their coats and bags, where to put the drinks they brought, and generally where to find anything in the house. It is not appropriate for a newcomer to feel lost or insecure during the party. When a new guest arrives, ask him if he wants a drink, show him where the bathroom is and be friendly and helpful to make him feel at home.
- It is not recommended to be pushy, however it is good to ask guests if they would like some snacks, water or other drinks almost immediately after they enter.
- Try not to appear stressed or worried about the party. This feeling could ruin the evening, and it's best for guests to feel comfortable, not like they are bothering you.
Step 6. Introduce people
A great task of the landlord is to make sure that everyone enjoys each other's presence and that everyone gets along. Guests should feel comfortable, without wondering who the person next to them is or where they come from. Therefore, you can quickly introduce people and even say a few words about them so that everyone knows the relationships between the various guests. If you have a small party, with less than ten people or so, by introducing them to each other, you can make the atmosphere welcoming and confidential.
- You can also go a step further and help guests converse by pointing out that they have similar interests. Try saying something like, "Paola, have you met Elisa? She is a gymnast too…".
- You could also specify the relationship you have with the people you introduce, so they will orient themselves a little better. Try saying: "Maria, this is Marco, a friend of mine from the university. Marco, she is Maria. We have known each other since elementary school …".
Step 7. Don't tidy up until everyone is gone
To entertain people, it is essential to make them feel welcome until the moment they step out of the house. If you start taking out the dishes or picking up trash or cleaning the table in the middle of a party, then for the guests it will mean that you want them to go away and that they are annoying. Even if you're sick of cleanliness or just trying to get on with work, it's important to let the party continue and tidy up later so guests don't feel like they're in the way.
Okay, the end of the night has come and everyone is leaving while someone offers to clean up. It 'does not matter. There is no need to do everything alone, especially if there is confusion. But the important thing is not to make people feel unwelcome by cleaning every small empty glass of beer half an hour after the party has started
Step 8. Consider having a themed party
While having a themed party or entertaining guests isn't mandatory, you can get people to talk, laugh, and generally have fun this way. During the holidays or on the occasion of holidays, such as Christmas, New Year, Easter or even Halloween, then it is easy, otherwise you can organize a party that has the theme of animals, sports, your favorite movie or TV show, the vampires or anything that, in your opinion, will lead guests to talk, laugh and even get dressed.
Planning a "dress" for the evening can make people more likely to converse with each other, as they will likely talk about what dress they are wearing or why they chose it. Plus, it can all be accompanied by fun music and stage effects to make sure guests get in touch and laugh together
Method 3 of 3: Entertaining Guests at Home
Step 1. Behave like a good host
Being a good host is not a natural thing for everyone. A good host knows how to be attentive to the needs of his guests without oppressing them. It is good to be able to anticipate the needs of the guests without doing anything that could offend them. You should be kind, friendly and helpful and make sure they literally feel at home (without everyone focusing on you, of course!). Here are some things you can do to be a good host:
- Take the guests' coats when they enter the house and show them where to put their shoes.
- Collect bags and luggage.
- Take a quick tour of the house so they know where the kitchen, bathroom and everything else is.
- Be helpful. Give guests a place to sleep, pillows, blankets, towels, or whatever else they might need to be comfortable. While you certainly don't expect them to treat you badly, you have chosen to open your home to them.
Step 2. Make sure you meet their needs
A trait of a good host is to make sure that the needs of their guests are met. Many may be shy about telling you what they really want and need, so it's up to you to ask to put them at ease. While it's not okay to pester them all the time, it's also not okay to be so aloof as to be afraid to ask for what they want. Here are some things you can do to make sure you meet their needs:
- Offer a glass of water or a drink. They may be too shy to ask for what they really need.
- If an old friend is coming to town and you both like to uncork a few bottles of wine from time to time, make one for when your guest arrives.
- Make sure they're not hungry. While it's best not to be pushy, you should make sure your guests eat to their satisfaction. They won't admit they're hungry at first, so make sure you have enough food available when eating.
- Grab a few snacks, such as assorted nuts, crackers, fruit, or anything else that isn't perishable, so guests have something to munch on.
- Ask if they need towels, shampoo or anything else for the shower. Tell them what they can and can't use.
- Prepare the right dishes in advance. It never hurts to ask guests what they prefer for breakfast, if they have allergies, or if there is any snack they absolutely love, before they come to stay with you. This way you will have something that they definitely like and you won't have to wander around the grocery stores for hours.
Step 3. Take them somewhere
If you have guests from outside to visit you, then you should probably show them where you live. You may not be a perfect Cicero or you may not think there is much to see, but if they have come to visit you then it is good to at least make an effort to show what is around. Take a minute to think about the most beautiful places to visit, be it the Colosseum or the famous literary café on the other side of the city. Make sure your guests see at least some of these places so you can prove your welcome.
- It doesn't matter if you live in Florence and don't want to wait in line for three hours to visit the Uffizi Gallery. However, you can take them there and wait outside for a walk until they are out. It's not nice to leave them completely dormant, especially at first.
- The first places to visit could be famous or quirky restaurants, monuments, statues, quirky shops, viewpoints, or whatever the city where you were born is known for.
- Of course, a trip to the most beautiful places doesn't have to turn into a tourist trap. Take your guests to the most beloved corners of your country, even if it would be enough to go to your favorite bar or restaurant. Show them what you enjoy living there.
Step 4. Don't forget to give them privacy
While it's important to be a host, making your home available and asking questions to get an idea of how guests feel, it's also important to give them some space, especially if they're staying with you for a few days. It is not advisable to break into their room or the area where they are sleeping without knocking or announcing, and it is not necessary to organize everything to be with them 24 hours a day, unless that is what they really expect. You may feel claustrophobic while staying in someone else's home and, therefore, you should understand that sometimes they may decide to be on their own.
Many people need to unwind, especially after a long day of travel or a long tour of visiting monuments or tourist sites. Try giving your guests some time to relax, even if you are really excited that they are with you
Step 5. Don't be too pushy
This advice goes hand in hand with that of giving space to guests. It is not advisable to ask the same thing so many times that you force the other person to say yes. If your host tells you more than once that he is not hungry, leave him alone by reassuring him that there is a lasagna in the fridge if he wishes. Don't make him feel obligated to say yes when he doesn't feel like something just to please you.
Guests will likely have some idea of how they want to spend their stay with you. If you ask them if they intend to do something, like going to the pool or a water park, and they don't actually seem that enthusiastic, you shouldn't urge them unless you really think they want to and just refuse to bother you
Step 6. Help them plan things to do on their own
If you want to keep your guests company, then you should also make a plan to take a break from this chore. Unless they expect you to be around with them 24/7 - provided you want to too - you should work out a to-do list for them while you are at work, lying down to rest or just busy with some business. personal. The list could include places where they can have lunch on their own or tourist attractions, such as museums or gardens, if you live in a place full of these things.
By preparing in advance this way, you'll avoid feeling like you have to be with them every second of the day. If you can't think of anything they can do without you, you will need to hang out with them instead of having free time for you
Step 7. Fill the house with things they can entertain themselves with without your presence
It can be very useful to have something in your house that your guests can use without you, so that you don't feel obligated to be with them every second of the day. If there are children, you can provide some video games, markers and drawing paper or TV series toys. If they are adults, you can leave some gossip or science magazines, a series of DVD movies or photo albums lying around to browse. Having something to entertain them for you will be even more useful when you need half an hour to tidy up the laundry and you can't think of anything they can do.
Having a few board games on hand, such as Twister or Monopoly, you will immediately know how to entertain your guests
Advice
- Wear intriguing things. A pair of trendy earrings or original sneakers can be a good conversation starter, especially if they have an interesting story behind them. These things always pique people's interest.
- Timing is everything. A joke can be ten times more fun if told at the right time.
