How to Tell a Joke Graciously
Research appropriate jokes on the Internet., Listen to a joke carefully when it's being told., Practice the joke a few times before you tell it in front of people., Avoid embellishing until you have told the joke once successful., Think about your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Research appropriate jokes on the Internet.
You can also check out joke books at the library.
Learning a base of good jokes will help you choose the right one. -
Step 2: Listen to a joke carefully when it's being told.
If the person does a good job, take note of the point of view of the narrator and the tone in which they told it. , There's nothing worse than forgetting the punch line, so go over it in your head before you have an audience. , Then, adding your own flair might make it even better. , A gracious joke is chosen not to offend your audience.
When in doubt, don't tell a racy joke, if someone may be offended. , These would not be considered gracious or tasteful. , It is hard to maintain a large audience, so keep it as small as possible. , Don't start a joke by being sarcastic or rude. , Even a polite joke can turn sour with a few curse words. , It's hard to start a polite joke while interrupting someone else's story. , You can easily change the topic toward a joke. , A tasteful joke can improve the environment in work or at home.
Follow the phrase "humor is the best medicine."
Retelling jokes that are already well known will not seem tasteful.
Don't try to take credit for a comedian's joke. , You can always tell people where you heard it after you give the punch line. , A joke in 3 parts: introduction, build up and punch line, is long enough to remember, but not so long it will bore people. , Let the people decide for themselves. , Laughing out loud about your humor may seem self-centered, but telling it while smiling will make the mood jovial.
It puts people at ease. , If the person who told you the joke is in attendance, point them out and thank them.
It's okay to tell people where you originally heard the joke, even if it was on the Internet or in a book. , Just like any compliment, say a simple thank you, instead of being self-deprecating. -
Step 3: Practice the joke a few times before you tell it in front of people.
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Step 4: Avoid embellishing until you have told the joke once successful.
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Step 5: Think about your audience.
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Step 6: Don't tell racist or sexist jokes.
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Step 7: Tell jokes to small groups.
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Step 8: Respect your audience.
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Step 9: Don't curse as you tell the joke.
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Step 10: Don't interrupt in order to tell a joke.
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Step 11: Wait for a lull in conversation.
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Step 12: Insert some humor during tense or dark times.
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Step 13: Avoid stealing jokes from popular comedy sketches or comedians.
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Step 14: Don't tell someone you are telling a joke ahead of time
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Step 15: if it's supposed to be narrated from the first person point of view.
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Step 16: Start with short jokes.
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Step 17: Don't start with a phrase like "This isn't a very good joke."
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Step 18: Smile at your own joke.
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Step 19: Give credit to the person who originally told you the joke.
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Step 20: Say "thank you" if someone tells you it's a good joke.
Detailed Guide
You can also check out joke books at the library.
Learning a base of good jokes will help you choose the right one.
If the person does a good job, take note of the point of view of the narrator and the tone in which they told it. , There's nothing worse than forgetting the punch line, so go over it in your head before you have an audience. , Then, adding your own flair might make it even better. , A gracious joke is chosen not to offend your audience.
When in doubt, don't tell a racy joke, if someone may be offended. , These would not be considered gracious or tasteful. , It is hard to maintain a large audience, so keep it as small as possible. , Don't start a joke by being sarcastic or rude. , Even a polite joke can turn sour with a few curse words. , It's hard to start a polite joke while interrupting someone else's story. , You can easily change the topic toward a joke. , A tasteful joke can improve the environment in work or at home.
Follow the phrase "humor is the best medicine."
Retelling jokes that are already well known will not seem tasteful.
Don't try to take credit for a comedian's joke. , You can always tell people where you heard it after you give the punch line. , A joke in 3 parts: introduction, build up and punch line, is long enough to remember, but not so long it will bore people. , Let the people decide for themselves. , Laughing out loud about your humor may seem self-centered, but telling it while smiling will make the mood jovial.
It puts people at ease. , If the person who told you the joke is in attendance, point them out and thank them.
It's okay to tell people where you originally heard the joke, even if it was on the Internet or in a book. , Just like any compliment, say a simple thank you, instead of being self-deprecating.
About the Author
Diane Howard
Committed to making home improvement accessible and understandable for everyone.
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