Jokes Are Better In Context

By Julie Hopkins

Cartoon by Jitet Koestana Have you ever attempted to give some kind of a joke, for example at the beginning of a presentation, only to have it fall on what seems like terribly deaf ears? You are not alone. Depending on the context or the particular audience to which the humor is directed, very different results can occur. Suppose you are in a very stuffy business meeting with very formal attire and a strict adherence to the protocol of the day. In this instance, you would be shooting yourself in the foot if you were to attempt any kind of low-brow or slapstick jokes of any kind. It simply will not work because of the fact that everyone in the audience is already in a very tense frame of mind and nobody will want to seem unprofessional by laughing or encouraging the joke teller. On the other hand, let's assume you are giving a talk to members of a kindergarten class. Would this be the appropriate time to try out some of your most sophisticated, dry humor? Of course not. Instead try to relate to the children with some jokes about toys, food, or parents. That will have those little kids rolling on the ground laughing in no time flat. And you'll get a superb ego boost as well.

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What is the definition of happiness anyway?

So many ways to define happiness. Here are some definitions of happiness to inspire you.

Painting by Suroso

Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don't find happiness, you make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run.
This definition of happiness by David Leonhardt, The Happy Guy 

True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
This definition of happiness by Helen Keller

 

You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.
This definition of happiness by Bette Davis 

Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords.
This definition of happiness by Samuel Johnson 

Happiness is man's greatest aim in life. Tranquility and rationality are the cornerstones of happiness.
This definition of happiness by Epicurus 

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Kartunis Indonesia Melukis?

Oleh Darminto M Sudarmo

Bukti bahwa kartunis Indonesia, khususnya para kartunis lepas, gelisah, sudah terlihat sejak tahun 1980-an. Maka ketika terjadi “Pertemuan Kartunis Nasional” yang bertempat di Balai Wartawan – Semarang, Jawa Tengah (sekarang: Hotel Ciputra-Simpang Lima) pada 1984-an, dengan agenda besar yang diusung: upaya pemberdayaan kartunis terkait dengan posisinya sebagai profesi, mudah ditebak apa yang terjadi kemudian: kartunis Indonesia “menggugat”. Menggugat pada siapa? Tentu saja menggugat pada pihak pemegang otoritas rubrik kartun di media atau redaktur penjaga gawang, supaya porsi pemuatan untuk karya kartun lebih diseriusi (kuantitasnya, diperbanyak). Salah satu rekomendasi yang dicuatkan saat itu adalah mengimbau media massa (koran dan majalah) memberikan peluang selayak-layaknya lewat penyediaan rubrik yang di dalamnya memuat gambar kartun sebagai menu rutin media tersebut.

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Pengalaman Kocak Jitet Koestana

Tidak Ada yang Ujug-ujug

Langsung Berhasil

Perkenalkan nama saya Jitet Koestana. Saya lahir di Semarang, Jawa Tengah, 4 Januari 1967. Kata orang sih, nama saya Koestana saja. Tetapi kata saya, ada tambahannya Jitet. Kalau nama pop artis-artis biasanya serba glamor dan keren, nama pop saya justru Jitet. Anda tahu apa artinya Jitet? Dalam bahasa Jawa jitet artinya mlithut. Kalau ada baju atau celana yang lobang atau sobek, karena tak ada kain lain yang mirip, maka karena tak sabar, biasanya langsung ambil jarum dan benang untuk dijahit secara militer, eh, paksa, maka hasilnya baju atau celana itu jadi mlithut karena dijitet.

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Taking Your Humor To The Next Level

Image via Wikipedia

A dozen ways to improv your humor talents.
Here are some specific things you can do to sharpen your humor skills: To see the humor around you and to deliver it from the platform with punch.

   1. Toastmasters clubs are the best place to work on your observational humor skills. They provide you a weekly laboratory to hone your skills helping you see the funny stuff around you. Give yourself the assignment of always creating at least one piece of observational humor by the end of every meeting. Through practice, I've found that I can normally create about 10 pieces of observational humor in a two-hour meeting.

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Humor and Diversity

Image via Wikipedia

Things to consider when using humor touching on diversity and minority groups.

   1. When is it safe to use humor pointed at diverse groups? There is no clear cut answer. But here are some thoughts on the subject.

   2. Diversity is everywhere you look. Our society is abundantly diverse. And, normally, so are your audiences. Catholics, bi-sexuals, physically challenged, heavy people, tall people, old people, women, Southerners, rich people, Hispanics, blue collar workers. And then there are people who are none of the above. This list reflects only a small portion of the vast diversity in our society.

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A Well-Done Roast

How to prepare a Roast that will be a hit.

Here are some thoughts to ensure success when you're in charge of a roast:
1. Be sure that the guest of honor wants a roast. Don't make it a surprise! Talk to the honoree and ensure that he or she is as excited about the idea of a roast as you are.

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