How to Make a Guy Laugh

Co-authored by Laura Bilotta

Last Updated: March 23, 2022 References

Most guys are not such stoic geniuses that you can't get them to crack a smile. If you know his sense of humor and you let your awesome self shine, you'll develop a connection that will keep the two of you laughing 'til the sun sets. Start at step one and let the funny bone tickling commence!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Finding Your Humor

1
Be silly. Some girls aren't great at slaying a crowd with one-liners and well-timed anecdotes. To play up your humor, the simplest, most effective way is to just be silly. It shows you're happy, fun, and that you don't take life too seriously. Here are some ideas:
- Go for physical humor. Make funny faces, pretend you're stuck in slow-motion, hop on him for a piggyback ride (if that's cool, of course), or start a well-meaning food fight.
- Put on a show. Do a foreign accent or pretend you're him -- lightly mocking him as a form of flirting, of course.
- React to him in silly ways. Are you snuggled up against him? Start purring like a cat! When he says, "Oops, sorry, I drank your last soda," you respond with, "THAT'S IT. I'M MOVING TO CANADA." And then you smile and launch into how excited you are to play hockey and watch the beavers.
2
Be yourself. There is nothing better than someone who is truly genuine and comfortable with themselves. If you can be you, you're showing him that he can be him with nothing to worry about.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Laura Bilotta
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.} The humor will come naturally when you're both happy and relaxed!
- Don't worry about being funny enough for him! If you're light-hearted and enjoy having fun, he'll enjoy having fun with you. Don't worry about the impression you're making. Do what makes you happy and he'll probably want to join in.
- If you're trying to be funny, it'll come across that you're trying to be funny. Be natural and let the conversation flow naturally. The humor will come!
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3
Be positive. Sure, once in a while you get the person who can pull off being absolutely hilarious because they're so dry, cynical, sarcastic, and a little dark and twisty, but generally you want to be around those people in small doses. We live often crave being around people who are bright and cheery because it's contagious. They make us bright and cheery (and bright and cheery often means funnier), bringing out a side of us we feel confident about.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Laura Bilotta
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.} He can't not love it.
- When we're optimistic, everything is a bit brighter. When everything is a bit brighter, it's easier to crack jokes (and to crack a smile in return). It's easier to take a mundane situation and turn it into an opportunity to have fun. The more fun you have, the more you (and him!) will be laughing.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Matching His Style

1
Get to know him. Humor is subjective. What you find funny won't necessarily be the same thing even your best friend finds funny. So in order to know what tickles his funny bone, get to know him! What TV shows does he like? What comedians? What kind of humor does he use to amuse others? All of these are cues as to what gets him giggling.
- The most aptly-timed joke on, say, Foucault won't be appreciated by the type of guy who prefers laughing at toilet humor. And it works the other way around, too. Does the guy you're eyeing prefer bro banter? Is he into witty non-sequiturs about current events? Can he be slayed by a play on words in Klingon? Find out!
2
Laugh at his jokes. On the whole, women value a sense of humor more than men do. What do men want? Someone who will make them feel funny.^{[3]
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Research source} Instead of trying to impress him, show him that he impresses you. Showing him that he has the right to laugh at his own jokes, too, because he's just so darn awesome could win him over in no time.
- You don't have to laugh at every joke he makes like your world has just been altered. If he drops a dud, laugh at him, albeit playfully. Did he just try an unfunny, stereotypical, sexist, blonde joke? Oh, honey. Let him know how cute he is for trying with a fake chuckle and a forced grin.
3
Feed off his humor. When we click with people, chemistry is pretty Unable to ignore. To show him that you just get him and that you appreciate his humor, feed off of it! Did he just whip out his Sean Connery impression on a dime? Keep it going with your best Alex Trebek or Pussy Galore (doesn't have to be good -- this moment is about him). If not an impression, can you drop a line from a movie or challenge him to up his game to Christopher Walken?
- Establishing a banter can develop a rapport between you two, creating a bond that won't easily be broken. Whether his humor is self-deprecating or straight out of Family Guy, go with it. Show him that you appreciate how fun he is.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Interacting with Him

1
Help him be happy in general. When life is bleak, we're not going to laugh no matter what. To see the humorous side of things, we have to be willing. So work on helping him be happy (making someone happy is impossible -- they have to want it) by being your awesome self and gracing his presence with it.
- By being positive and fun, you're really doing all you can. Be his friend (or whatever is fitting for your relationship), do little things for him, and just try to make his life easier (especially if he's been dealt a sour deck of cards). Let him see the bright side of life so the humor can start flowing.
2
Be willing to embarrass yourself. There are few things funnier (and mood-uplifting) than a person that can embarrass themselves and just roll with it. There are few things worse than a person that embarrasses themselves and gets all self-conscious and shameful. So when you spill that soda on yourself, just say that you're saving it for later and that brown looks better on you than white, anyway. Also, it's like two-for-one perfume. You're just being frugal!
- Studies actually show that embarrassing yourself can actually get people to like you and trust you more. It sort of makes sense -- when you show you're down-to-earth, light-hearted, and just a plain human like they are, it takes away any possible intimidation and stress.^{[4]
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  Research source}
3
Get physical. Slapstick, physical comedy is the only kind of comedy that's been around for all of human history -- and it still is for a reason. If the witty asides don't come to you naturally, don't stress! You can convince him you're the funniest thing since Tina Fey by just using your non-verbal hilarity.
- Popcorn? Uh, yes, please! It's time for a who's-got-better-aim contest. And spaghetti? It's totally Lady & the Tramp time.
- Standing in line for your favorite movie? Bored so incredibly that you're practically gnawing off your arm for something to do? Why would you not bust out the macarena?
  - As long as he's the type that doesn't embarrass easily, that is.
- Try play-fighting, tickling or play-attacking him. The bond of human touch is strong as steel. Is it time for a thumb war rematch yet?
- Laugh yourself. You don't need a good reason! Laughing is a chain reaction that often causes other people to laugh. And it will make you happier, too!
4
Relax. If you're visibly high strung or stressed, no situation you're in will be happy-go-lucky and funny. You know that one person that's always a negative Nancy? Don't be the party pooper! Relax. It's the only way to be yourself, be silly, and create an environment where the laughter will naturally flow. If you're relaxed and enjoy each other's company, the laughter will spontaneously start itself!
- If he's not laughing at your jokes, it's fine. You think you're funny and that's all that matters. If he sees you in your element, being natural, there's nothing to not like. So take a breath -- you got this.

Warnings

Do not get disappointed if he doesn't laugh; he may have something else on his mind. Try again the next time you are together.

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Watch out for unoriginal, common jokes. They can sometimes seem like you are telling a joke just to fit in. Make sure it seems natural and unscripted.

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