Self-Deprecating humor Makes You a Badass

[Daniel Becerra]

At least for me thus far. Although, it comes to me at some times, and sometimes it is gone. I have recently (three days since before, I was "pussying out", for lack of better words) been making the effort to use this powerful tool.

Ok, self deprecating humor is meant to make people laugh. We all know laughter is the cure to the soul, right?... But there is a difference between making others laugh to attract and making others laugh to entertain. One shows confidence, the other shows entertainment. This relates directly to something I've been putting some thinking on lately and that is, do things discreetly. In any case, have you ever been really funny for making great punch-lines, not even monkey acts, but just funny punch-lines that may be not-so-bad? I have. But on other occasions, I have also kept myself very calm and use very intelligent humor. For example:

When asked "So, are you single?", which I get asked plenty of times, I say "Of course I am, who would want to take me?"... (This is actually a line by Hank from Californication, I take no credit for it)... This actually boosts your confidence in their eyes, by TONS. I usually follow up with "sometimes I can't get it up" at which point, some of them will say (and have said) "Well, I could help you"... (not too hard)

Another example would be when they tell me "You're short/geek"... "Yes, I'm the sexiest short man alive" or "I'm the sexiest geek alive"... This is self-deprecating as well. While I admit my not so good qualities, I turn them automatically into assets by stating that I recognize it and that it doesn't affect me in the minimal, in fact, it's the opposite, I can live and enjoy with it.

Think of it as intelligent humor. Think James Bond, Hank from Californication, or even the guy from Entourage. Think not being afraid of making yourself a little bad, because at the end you know your confidence is still there. You are still you.

What is your experience with self-deprecating humor? Think hard and long, as it's something you may not be too used to? Is it a little? nothing? constant? everyday, every time thing?

Maybe we can even calibrate some scenarios and responses here, from almost insignificant situations to those that make us really uncomfortable. Let's go!

[Tom Church]

My best friend and I desperately wanted to be called geeks, it was an on going challenge, as we saw being called a geek means you're intelligent.

So, on the odd occasion that a girl or guy said to us that we were geeks, we'd jump up, laugh and give ourselves hi-fives whilst the other person had no idea why we were so happy.

[SilverStreak]

So I have a problem with this...

I have furry eyebrows practically. I also am friends/acquaintance with a guy who's just dead honest in critisizing anybody he sees - he's also very funny in doing it. Besides that, i don't really have much else that doesn't seem too great...

But how do I deal with this guy? When he has girlfriends he's more insecure about their looks than his own. lol - I mean I know you're not attacking them, but I've shown weak in front of them before, etc. I mean its somewhat frustrating...

[LINK]

Great post! I love the whole idea, yes it does require the person to be witty, but it's a learned skill. Listen to the words, and play off of them. People will love it, and yeah it is full of confidence because you can make fun of yourself a little. It's not negative at all in the way its done.

[A New Me]

Originally Posted by SilverStreak

So I have a problem with this...

I have furry eyebrows practically. I also am friends/acquaintance with a guy who's just dead honest in critisizing anybody he sees - he's also very funny in doing it. Besides that, i don't really have much else that doesn't seem too great...

But how do I deal with this guy? When he has girlfriends he's more insecure about their looks than his own. lol - I mean I know you're not attacking them, but I've shown weak in front of them before, etc. I mean its somewhat frustrating...

Not too great? Modest much?

Just how furry are we talking about?... If they are really furry, I think that you should try to get some fixing done by a professional (it's not gay, really ).

but if you dont wanna do that, then deal with him, really. I wouldnt say something like "whats your problem? I want you to stop that!", instead I would say "What do you know? They are really my best asset"

Use his attack, show him that youre unaffected, and turn it into a valuable asset.

hope that helps.

[SilverStreak]

lol - I've even gotten comments on here before (I have pics for somewhere in my journal section)

But yeah, they're definitely not my best asset, and not even able to joke about...lol

But thanks man

[Bob]

very good post daniel. I have to rely on my wit for this but like Tom I have yet to be called a geek. I always get dork. And for the record, they all suck in terms of self deprecating humor except for Hank who's the shit

[SilverStreak]

"they all suck except for Hank who's the shit."

who's Hank and who's they? lol

[tonatiuh8]

Hank Moody from Californication. And by "they" I have no clue either, maybe Ari from Entourage.

[tonatiuh8]

Is this another example. This is from Californication

MIA: "So your like this famous writer ha"
HANK: "Hardly, more like a one hit wonder"