Funny people: are you naturally funny or did you learn to be?

[MonsterMunchLabubu]

I’m not funny. In fact, even if I repeat a joke, it falls flat every time…

But I LOVE funny people! Is it possible to become one?

If you’re funny, how did you get there?

I'm quite funny. I got from my dad, who was reliably funny. It's partly knowing how to tell jokes. Timing. And seeing the funny side of things.

Apparently I’m hilarious, people just take one look at me and fall into hysterics 🥴

I think everyone has funny bones - they just aren't all the same funny bones. There are so many different types of humour, if you think about, so it makes sense that people's ability to make others laugh depends on others enjoying their sense of humour, as well as timing, and all of the non-verbal stuff too.

My dad says I am the funniest person he knows (thanks dad - I think it's a compliment! Also I swear I get it from him...) and I would say that in my friendship groups I am usually the one that gets the laughs (and not just because of how I pencil on my eyebrows!) I think for me it's just because I enjoying interacting with people and at the ripe old age of 46 I have a lot of practice of verbal sparring and of being in situations where humour gets you through - the good, the bad and the ugly.

I've written a comedy radio series and am plucking up the courage to finish it this weekend and send it off to BBC Radio Wales...

Im hilarious I think its definitely comes naturally its not really about telling jokes most jokes aren't funny its more about being quick witted

I think there is a funny gene.. my child's dad was incredibly funny and so is my child in exactly the same way yet they wasn't a part of each others lives

Yeah I'm funny. A lot of it comes from being around people who are funny - my dad, my best friend who I have known since I was 3... Ive got funnier with age as I am more confident and I say a lot of shit (not trying to be funny as such just mucking around a lot), some of it falls flat but mostly not but I don't get embarrassed if I say something that meant to be funny and wasn't so people barely notice. I don't tell jokes though - just good at telling stories/anecdotes etc.

My DH and my male children spend all their time thinking about how to respond in a funny way. It is their default - ask them a question and much of the time their first reaction is to try to find a witty or silly response rather than answer it. I think this could be learned - I have seen my kids learn it from DH.

Can be quite annoying but they are, as a result, much funnier than me!

I think you are born with it. Your brain is alert to it. Some people are witty and some are not. I don’t think you can learn it.

I’ve always been called funny. I’m quick-witted and clever with words.

I’ve definitely used it as a defence mechanism in the past (probably still do) and I was the family clown for sure.

It can be a bit exhausting, but it does help me in my work with teens. I can reliably get them laughing and break the ice.

Yes I am, but it takes a bit of focus. I learned it as a kid by listening to a lot of comedy radio, and watching comedy shows. Funny parents too, pulling faces and not serious at all.

As a teen it was a defence mechanism for bullying. I think I’ve got less funny recently as the people around me aren’t as funny.

I think I’m funny but that doesn’t mean I am 🤪

I think I’m funny, I do make people laugh. I’m quite sharp. I’m a good mimic and a good observer.

I'm witty, rather than "funny". My brain just computes a good response.

I find joke tellers or anecdoters very tiresome 🙄

People at work seem to think I’m funny. I’m actually just really cynical and sarcastic but they’re all American and think I’m being funny rather than actually saying what I’m thinking in a dry British tone. It works out for all of us, they get a laugh and I get to talk without having to censor myself.

I can't tell a joke to save my life, I never remember punchlines, but I'm told I'm witty, I'm good with words and I can make people laugh. I can't see it myself though, I think other people are much funnier than me.

I’m funny in terms of quick wit and timing, and I tell a good story. Dry rather than slapstick. My son has the same sense of humour but as a teenager has not yet learned to use it to his advantage and comes across a bit sharp at times. I keep telling him to use it wisely. Humour can be rewarding in many ways.

The downside is people want to speak to me when they want cheering up, and get all put out if I’m not on a roll.

Yes I think it's parents/natural quick wit

I'm an absolute scream

😂

I can be quite witty, especially at work, or at social occasions with small talk (I have to go to a lot of work-related entertainment occasions). I’m generally thinking in the background on such occasions about a funny anecdote I could tell. I do sometimes store up material (for example funny anecdotes at work about interactions with our boss); or think about how I might tell a story about something that’s happened to me in such a way that it makes it funny. This is a skill, so you can practice this and also comic timing, too.

I'm funny/witty, got it from my Dad. More observational wit, seeing the humour in a situation rather than cracking jokes.
My mum is less funny but she always appreciated his humour.
One of my DSs is funny, reminds me of my dad, a couple of times in fact, he has said things that my dad used to say. He will have inherited the gene but is also used to how things play out in the house, he knows what I will find funny so often he will tell me about stuff that happens just to amuse me.

I find myself really funny. I am my target audience.

Naturally funny, darling. You can't bottle this!

I agree that if you’re someone who does this naturally, other people get kind of used to it, and you can get used as “the entertainment”. I enjoy “performing” being funny and witty, and I’m an extrovert, but that doesn’t mean I’m “on” 24/7; and even I used to get pissed off when I’d be invited to a gathering of a group of more introverted friends and they’d basically just rely on me to keep the whole party/conversation going all night!

My adult child and their partner think I'm funny. I think I'm funny.

but I'm also very aware that others dont.

so I make my joking remarks in front of some, but not others
.
humour, like a lot of things, is very context related

I don't tell jokes, and I can rarely recount a good anecdote. Which is odd, because I can't remember a time when there hasn't been somebody in my life begging me to tell them stories I've invented.
I do make people laugh, though, a lot. I'm quite dry and witty. But only in small groups or one to one. You won't find the whole party hanging on to my every word.

I'm told I'm funny. I dont think i am. I dont find myself funny or think oh yes, im a funny person.