How to What's Cooking Good Looking

Your complete guide to this old-school American slang expression

“What’s cooking, good looking?” is a playful way of asking someone what they’re doing or what they’re up to. It’s often a flirty greeting to show interest in someone, but it can also be used to start a conversation with a friend or someone you know well, like a close colleague. In this article, we’ll go over exactly what “What’s cooking, good looking?” means, plus show you the wittiest ways to reply and where this saying came from.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• “What’s cooking, good looking?” is a casual way to ask someone “What’s up?” or “What’s going on?”
• “What’s cooking” is an informal question to see what someone's currently up to, while “good looking” implies you find the person attractive.
• Use this phrase with close friends or people you know well, or as a (somewhat cheesy) pick-up line in bars, clubs, and other social settings.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]What does “What’s cooking, good looking” mean?

1. “What’s cooking, good looking?” is another way of saying “What’s up?”{endbold} In other words, it’s a casual question to ask someone how they’re doing or what they’re up to. The phrase “Good looking” is a playful (or flirty) way to compliment the other person’s appearance, so reserve this expression for informal exchanges with friends or romantic interests.^[1]
   
   • Since the speaker is expressing that they find the other person attractive, “What’s cooking, good looking?” is often used as a pick-up line in bars, clubs, and other social settings. If a stranger asks you this question, it might be their way of flirting with you.
   • If someone familiar uses the phrase, it could be their way of breaking the ice and starting a conversation with you. The phrase “Good looking” is just a sweet form of endearment.

[Edit]Responses to “What’s Cooking, Good Looking”

1. “What’s shakin’, bacon?” If you’re looking for a similar response that rhymes, “What’s shakin’, bacon?” is the ultimate line. It’s a playful and humorous way of asking someone what’s going on or what they’ve been up to, so save it for casual interactions with friends, family members, or romantic interests.
   
2. “I have to check the oven.” Use this witty response if you want to play off of the “Cooking” aspect in the phrase “What’s cooking, good looking?” “I have to check the oven” is a funny way of saying that you don’t know what’s going on, so it’s guaranteed to get the laughs going.
   
3. “Not a thing, chicken wing.” Drop this witty reply if you haven’t done anything new or interesting since you last saw the other person. It means that you’re relaxing, or that you’re on the eat, sleep, work, and repeat schedule.
   
4. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Interested in the other person and want to express your attraction? Ask this question to initiate a fun and flirty conversation. It shows that you’re not ready to put all your cards on the table, but things might change if they’re willing to put in the effort to get to know you.
   
5. “That’s a secret.” Trying to be mysterious and capture someone’s attention? Use this vague response to ignite the other person's curiosity. By not really answering their question, you encourage them to learn more about you, plus enhance your allure and attractiveness.
   
6. “That’s up to you, baby boo.” If someone uses “What’s cooking, good looking” as a pick-up line, this is the perfect reply to show that you’re open to flirting and meeting new people. It’s cute, playful, and slightly suggestive, putting the ball in their court so you can see how much they like you.
   
7. “Are you looking in a mirror?” Want to return the favor and give someone a compliment? This line means that you think the other person is attractive, since the “mirror” implies that they’re talking about their own reflection. It’s sweet, subtle, and not too flirty, so feel free to use it in any situation when you want to share that they’re good looking.
   
8. “Don’t touch me. You might burn yourself.”{endbold} This is a super flirty response that’s sure to crank up the heat. It implies that you know you’re “hot” or physically attractive, which relates to the “good looking” part of the slang expression. “Don’t touch me” implies that you’re the hottest thing in the room, which also relates to the “cooking” aspect of the expression.
   
9. “I was thinking of putting a bun in the oven.” This is a playful and spicy reply if you’re interested in sleeping with someone. The phrase “Bun in the oven” means you’re pregnant, but it doesn’t always have to be in a literal sense.^[2] In this situation, it’s another way of saying you’d be down to hook up with the other person.
   
10. “I’m not in the kitchen.” Depending on how you deliver this line, it can come off as rude or playful. If you say it with a smile or laugh, it conveys that you’re just teasing the other person, but if you deliver it with no expression at all, it means you’re not interested in furthering the conversation.
    
11. “The kitchen’s closed.” If you’re in a bad mood or you’re just not feeling the other person, use this sassy line to shut down the conversation. It’s a quick way to say that you don’t know what’s going on or that you don’t care to respond to them.
    
12. “Don’t embarrass yourself like that again.” If someone uses “What’s cooking, good looking” to hit on you, drop this savage response to show that you’re unimpressed. Deliver it with a smile, laugh, or friendly look if you want to tease them in a flirty way, or maintain a deadpan expression if you’re not interested in them at all.
    

[Edit]Origin of “What’s Cooking, Good Looking”

1. The phrase “What’s cooking, good looking?” first appeared in the 1940s.{endbold} During this time, husbands would often wander into the kitchen to ask their wives what they would be eating for dinner. So, the expression “What’s cooking, good looking?” referred to the literal act of cooking food.^[3]
   
   • Although the exact origins are unknown, the expression became a casual way to ask someone what was happening in the mid-20th century.
   • “What’s cooking, good looking?” became more widespread as a pick-up line when country artist Hank Williams released his song titled “Hey, Good Lookin’.”

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://usdictionary.com/idioms/whats-cooking/
2. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/have-a-bun-in-the-oven
3. ↑ https://usdictionary.com/idioms/whats-cooking/

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How to Calm an Aggressive Cat

An aggressive cat can be hard to deal with, but it's important to remember that the cat is either afraid or was poorly socialized as a kitten. They may attack you, other people, or other animals in your house. To calm an aggressive cat during an attack, you need to give it space and divert its attention away from the fight. To change an aggressive cat's behavior in general, you need to get to the root of the animal's behavior and make it feel safe and comfortable. If you are unable to calm your aggressive cat on your own, you can also seek out help from an animal professional, such as a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Ending an Aggressive Outburst

1. Protect yourself during an attack. If you are actively being attacked by an aggressive cat, you should protect yourself the best you can. Remember that a cat's best weapons are its teeth and its claws, so try to avoid contact with both. Your best option is to stay away from the cat and avoid handling it if possible.
   
   • If you must touch the cat, try to hold it by the scruff so that it can't get you with its claws or teeth. You can also try to wrap it in a towel or blanket, as this can disable the animal.
   • Shield your most vulnerable body parts with your arms if a cat is trying to latch on to you. Your most sensitive areas should be prioritized, including your eyes and face.
2. Move away from the cat. If a cat is exhibiting body language that is aggressive or striking out at you, you should move away from it. Getting out of striking distance can keep you safe and reduce the animal's anxiety as well.
   
   • Moving closer to reassure the cat or to try to calm it down will likely only increase its defensiveness. This may result in an even more aggressive attack.
   • Avoid looking directly into the cat's eyes, as this is a sign of an aggressive challenge.
   • If the cat is in your lap when it becomes aggressive, stand up so that the cat falls away from you. Then quickly move away from the cat.
3. Interrupt aggressive behavior. If possible, sidetrack a cat that is acting aggressively. Sometimes this can be done by engaging it with a toy it likes. You can also make a sharp noise that will scare or shock it, such as a clap or a hiss.
   
   • You can also drop something that will make noise on the floor, such as a container full of pennies. A noise maker like this is good to have on hand if you have a cat that becomes aggressive often.
   • If the cat is fixated on a specific thing, try to break eye contact. Put something between the cat and what it becoming aggressive towards.
4. Break up a fight without getting involved. If your cat is acting aggressively towards another animal, you should try to break up the fight and move the other animal to a safe space. However, you should never get in between the animals, as this is dangerous for you and could result in injury. In many cases, this can be done by giving the animals an escape route away from the fight, such as by opening a door.
   
   • You can also try surprising the aggressive cat to disorient it by throwing a towel or a bucket of water onto it. This should give you the chance to get the other animal out of the situation.
   • It is important to protect all your animals from fighting. You should not let them simply fight it out. This can lead to serious injuries and hard feelings between the animals in the long term.^[1]
   • It is especially important to separate animals that you are trying to acclimate to each other, such as when you add a new pet to your home. A fight early on in their relationship can make it strained well into the future.
   • Try putting something between the fighting cats that will stop them from making contact with each other. For example, a pillow can be placed between the animals before they make physical contact.
5. Avoid giving physical punishment.^[2] Even light physical punishment, such as bopping the animal on its nose, can increase its anxiety. Instead of reducing aggression, this type of reaction can increase its severity.
   
   • Never hit a cat. An aggressive cat needs your help, not more aggression added to the situation.
6. Give the cat its own space. After an aggressive episode, it's best to let the cat decompress and calm down on its own. Don't interact with it until it has calmed down and it comes to you for interaction or attention.
   
   • You may even want to keep it sequestered in a room by itself with food, water, and a litter box. However, some cats will not like this and it will increase their aggression.
   • Some cats just simply need to be left alone a lot of the time. If you have a moody cat that simply wants to be left alone, give that to them. Give them their own space where they can be away from people and other animals in your home, such as a spare bedroom.
   • Make sure each room in your home has a hiding place, such as a cardboard box, where the cat can retreat. Hiding helps cats deal with stress.
7. Treat any cat scratches or bites properly. If you, your cat, or another animal gets injured, you should make sure the injuries are treated appropriately. Cat scratches and bites should be cleaned, disinfected, and bandaged so that they do not become infected. If injuries do become infected, get them treated by a doctor or veterinarian.
   
   • Signs of infection to a cat scratch or bite include pain, redness, swelling, and puss coming from the injured area.^[3]
   • Cat bites and scratches are prone to infection, so it's important to thoroughly clean and disinfect them even if they seem minor.

[Edit]Getting Professional Help

1. Have the cat assessed for health problems. In some cases, aggression can be caused by an underlying health problem. If your cat feels sick, it may act out with aggression to let you know that it is ill. To eliminate this as a possible cause of your cat's aggression, have your cat examined by its veterinarian.^[4]
   
   • Some medical conditions that can cause aggression include arthritis, dental problems, and hyperthyroidism. Some common symptoms associated with these illnesses include a lack of appetite, trouble moving, vomiting, and diarrhea.
   • If your cat is acting aggressively, your veterinarian may need to restrain it while examining it. Be aware that this kind of restraint is for the protection of the veterinarian and the cat itself.
2. Discuss behavior solutions with your vet. Even if your vet doesn't find anything medically wrong with your cat, they may still be able to help with the problem. Ask them about medications that might help your cat calm down and for any other solutions they may have.
   
   • Ask your vet about the over-the-counter products that might be helpful as well. Your veterinarian is likely to know the best calming sprays and diffusers on the market.
3. Contact a pet behavior specialist. There are animal professionals that can help you if you have a severely aggressive cat. A pet behaviorist can work on behavior modification and can teach you how to interact safely and positively with your cat.
   
   • You can typically find a pet behavior specialist in your area through your veterinarian, your local animal shelter, or online.

[Edit]Changing Aggressive Behavior

1. Start your intervention early. If a cat is displaying aggressive behavior early in life you should try to change it quickly. Eliminating aggressive behavior in a young cat or kitten can prevent it from becoming a habit.
   
   • Even if a cat is older it is still worth your time to try and reduce its aggression. The cat will simply take more time to change its behavior than a young cat would.
2. Figure out what is causing the aggression. To minimize the cat's aggression, you need to get to the root of the problem. Start by thinking about what has changed in the animal's life that may be giving it anxiety. Also, be on the lookout for what happens to and around the cat right before an episode. If you can figure out where the aggression is coming from, you may be able to mitigate it. Some common reasons for aggression include:^[5]
   
   • Fear
   • Defensiveness
   • Conflict with other animals
   • Redirected anger
   • Territorial feelings
   • Predatory aggression
   • Overstimulation
   • Rough play excitement
   • Maternal protection
   • General irritability
   • Pain
   • Thyroid issues
   • Lack of attention
   • Change in location
   • Past trauma
3. Identify the signs that your cat is about to become aggressive. There are typically some warning signs that your cat is going to become aggressive before it strikes out. By identifying them, and stopping the stimulus that is causing the behavior, you can sometimes avoid the incident altogether. While each cat's behavior before an aggressive episode can differ, some common signs include:^[6]
   
   • Crouching or squatting
   • Tucking the head down
   • Wide eyes with dilated pupils
   • Retracted whiskers
   • Hissing or spitting
   • Putting its hackles up
   • Ears flattened back
4. Make adjustments that will ease your cat's aggression. If you have figured out that your cat's aggression has a specific cause, make any possible adjustments that will eliminate the cause. Some issues can be eliminated by making changes to the cat's living situation or interactions. For example, if your cat gets aggressive when you play roughly with it, stop that kind of play.
   
   • If your cat has a hard time with other animals, it might be best to keep it as an only pet.
5. Reward good behavior. As you are trying to change your cat's behavior, it is important to let the animal know when it is doing a good job. Rewarding the cat with treats or a game it likes to play when it is acting nicely is a good way of showing it the right kind of behavior.
   
   • For example, if your cat gets aggressive when it is petted for too long, reward it when it doesn't exhibit this behavior. Pet it lightly for a few moments in your lap and before the interaction goes awry set it on the floor. Then give it a treat for its good behavior. If you repeat this process, the cat will eventually learn that it gets something it likes if it does not strike out in anger.

[Edit]How Do You Discipline a Cat?

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.petsit.com/dealing-with-aggressive-cats
2. ↑ [v161222_b01]. 20 December 2019.
3. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=90&contentid=P01897
4. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household
5. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-cats
6. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-cats

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How to Why Do I Feel Weird

Explore the physical and mental reasons you might be feeling “off”

Are you feeling weird or off but can’t put your finger on why? Maybe you’re fatigued, nervous, or on edge, but you can’t think of a reason for these feelings. It’s completely normal to have an “off” day once in a while, and it’s usually not a cause for concern. Identifying the reasons behind these feelings can help you cope with them and take steps to feel better. We’ll take you through reasons you might be feeling weird, from emotional and mental factors to physical causes. We’ll also go through a list of things you can do to address these things and start feeling more like yourself again.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• If you’re feeling weird or off, it could be due to stress, anxiety, or social burnout.
• Physical factors like lack of sleep, hunger, or dehydration may also be factors.
• Listen to your body to identify possible mental or physical causes behind the weirdness you’re feeling and address them.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Why do I feel weird?

1. You’re experiencing anxiety. Anxiety is a common reason you might not be feeling like yourself.^[1] Anxiety disorders can cause a wide range of mental and physical symptoms, from feeling restless or on edge to feeling weak or tired.^[2] If you’re experiencing some of the following symptoms, anxiety may be the reason you’re feeling off:
   
   • Increased heart rate or rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
   • Sweating or trembling
   • Feeling weak, tired, or fatigued
   • Trouble sleeping
   • Stomach upset or gastrointestinal problems
   • A sense of impending danger or doom, even though there’s no reason to feel this way
   • Feeling restless, nervous, tense, or stressed out
   • Trouble thinking or concentrating on things^[3]
2. You’re stressed. When you’re stressed, your “fight or flight” response gets triggered, which can cause a number of physical and mental symptoms.^[4]
   
   Physical symptoms include aches and pains, increased heart rate, exhaustion, headache, dizziness, shaking, muscle tension, and stomach issues. Mental symptoms include anxiety, irritability, sadness, and depression.^[5]
   
   If you’re experiencing these symptoms, stress could be the reason you’re feeling weird. Major life changes like moving, switching jobs, or going through a breakup increase stress levels, so if you've experienced any of these things lately, it could be another clue that stress is to blame.^[6]
   
3. You’re socially burnt out. If you’re an introvert, too much social interaction can leave you feeling drained. This is sometimes called introvert burnout or introvert hangover.^[7] If you’re feeling off after a long period of socializing (like going on a trip with friends or attending a lot of family gatherings over the holidays), social burnout could be a factor. Here are some signs to look for:
   
   • Low energy or fatigue, especially when trying to socialize
   • Feeling mentally unwell, overly emotional, or overly reactive/sensitive
   • Feeling extra irritable or anxious
   • Feeling detached from other people^[8]
4. You’re tired. Sometimes the reason you’re feeling weird is a simple lack of sleep. Adults typically require at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night.^[9] If you’re not getting this amount, or if your sleep quality is declining, you could experience several physical and mental symptoms.^[10]
   
   • These include fatigue, irritability, trouble thinking or focusing, and headaches.^[11]
5. You’re hungry or thirsty. Hunger and thirst also cause symptoms that could make you feel off. If you haven’t eaten enough, you may feel light-headed, weak, shaky, grumpy, or irritable.^[12] Dehydration can cause similar symptoms, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle cramps.^[13] If you notice any of these, hunger or thirst could be behind your discomfort.
   
6. You’re experiencing a physical ailment. If you’re experiencing physical symptoms that don’t seem to be related to anxiety, tiredness, hunger, or thirst, you might be dealing with an illness or injury.
   
   Low-level, persistent physical pain can leave you irritated or drained, which could be the reason you’re feeling weird.^[14]
   
   It can be stressful to not feel at your best physically. If you’re getting over a cold or recovering from a minor injury like a sprain or pulled muscle, it’s normal to feel a bit off.^[15] Once you recover physically, you’ll likely go back to feeling like yourself!

[Edit]What can I do to feel better?

1. Listen to your body. Take a minute to assess your bodily sensations. Are you noticing hunger cues? Are you feeling symptoms of sleep deprivation? Pointing out the specific sensations you’re feeling can help you identify and address them. Sometimes, a quick snack or a good night’s sleep are all you need to feel better.
   
   If you’re experiencing hunger cues like lightheadedness, weakness, irritability, growling stomach, or fatigue, try eating a nutritious snack or meal.^[16]
   
   If you’re noticing signs of dehydration like dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, dry mouth, or darker colored urine, drink some water and make an effort to stay hydrated.^[17] Adults need at least 11.5 cups (for women) or 15.5 cups (for men) of water per day.^[18]
   
   If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep deprivation, such as tiredness, fatigue, irritability, or trouble thinking or focusing, try to get at least 7 hours of quality sleep.^[19] Remember, the quality of your sleep is just as important as the amount of sleep you get!^[20]
   
   • To improve sleep quality, try to set a consistent sleep schedule (go to bed and wake up at the same time each night and morning).
   • Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and a comfortable temperature.
   • Limit the use of electronic devices before bed.
   • Avoid caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime.^[21]
2. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves focusing on what you’re feeling in the present moment without judging yourself. It can be a helpful tool to reduce the symptoms of stress or anxiety.^[22] Try out mindfulness meditation to reconnect with your body and stop feeling weird.^[23] Here’s how to do a body scan meditation:
   
   • Start by taking in your setting and environment. Look around and remind yourself that you’re safe at this moment.
   • Take deep, long breaths, and exhale slowly.
   • Bring your attention to your body. Close your eyes if this helps minimize distractions for you.
   • Try to zero in on the bodily sensations you’re feeling. Notice where your body is seated, feeling the support of the floor or the chair you’re sitting on.
   • Bring your attention to one area of your body at a time—arms, hands, legs, feet, stomach, neck, throat, jaw—noticing any tension or tightness and trying to soften them as you come across them.
   • After moving through these areas of your body, notice your whole body, present and relaxed. Take one more breath and slowly open your eyes.^[24]
3. Practice self-care. When you’re feeling off, it’s important to make an extra effort to take care of yourself. Practicing self-care can look different for everybody, but it comes down to doing the things that comfort and nourish you.^[25]
   
   For you, this might mean having a cozy night in watching your favorite movie or TV show. It could mean spending time in nature, or connecting with supportive friends or family. Whatever brings you joy and makes you feel at peace!
   
4. Journal about your feelings. If you’re dealing with stress or anxiety, journaling can be a cathartic practice. It provides an outlet for any pent up negative thoughts, and it can help you process difficult emotions while also getting to know yourself better.^[26]
   
   There are many different ways to journal, but freewriting is a simple way to get into journaling if you’re a beginner.
   
   • To start, set a timer for 15 minutes.
   • Try to write about your thoughts and feelings until the timer is up. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or writing something profound—just write about how you feel without judging yourself.
   • When the timer goes off, read what you wrote. You may notice feelings and connections you weren’t aware of before!^[27]
5. Get some alone time. If you’re feeling off due to social burnout, schedule some alone time. Whether it’s 30 minutes at the end of each day, or a few hours each weekend, use this time to rest and recharge. You can read a book, journal, meditate, go on a walk—whatever your heart desires.^[28]
   
   It may be helpful to set boundaries with the people in your life to protect your alone time. Simply let friends or family members know that you need time to yourself on a regular basis to be healthy and happy, and this has nothing to do with how much you love them.
   
   Remember, needing alone time is not selfish! Everyone needs a minute to themselves sometimes. Plus, alone time has many benefits. It encourages independence, reduces self-consciousness, relieves tension, and provides you with an opportunity to self-reflect.^[29]
   
6. Talk to a professional. If you’re overwhelmed with anxiety or stress symptoms, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to deal with these feelings on your own, and it’s completely normal to need a bit of help.
   
   Reach out to a mental health professional to get some care for your symptoms. Therapy can help you identify possible triggers and causes of your anxiety, so that you can address and overcome them.^[30]
   
   Ask a trusted friend or family member for a referral if they work with a therapist, or check out online directories to choose the right therapist for you.^[31]
   
7. Make sure there’s no physical condition at the root of your symptoms. If you’re experiencing symptoms that don’t appear to be anxiety or stress related, or that don’t resolve after implementing relaxation techniques, reach out to your primary care physician for a check-up.^[32]
   
   Your doctor can help you make sure there’s no underlying physical reason that you’re feeling weird. For example, conditions like anemia, vitamin D deficiency, or thyroid irregularities could cause you to feel fatigued or “off,” and treating these conditions may relieve your symptoms.^[33]
   

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/when-you-dont-feel-like-yourself
2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11874-stress
5. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11874-stress
6. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/when-you-dont-feel-like-yourself
7. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/social-exhaustion-avoiding-introvert-burnout
8. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/social-exhaustion-avoiding-introvert-burnout
9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.html
10. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-sleep-do-you-actually-need-202310302986
11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23970-sleep-deprivation
12. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/reconnect_with_your_hunger_cues
13. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9013-dehydration
14. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201809/13-potential-causes-feeling-flat
15. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201809/13-potential-causes-feeling-flat
16. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/reconnect_with_your_hunger_cues
17. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9013-dehydration
18. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
19. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23970-sleep-deprivation
20. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-sleep-do-you-actually-need-202310302986
21. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html
22. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356
23. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/feeling-blah-this-might-be-why
24. ↑ https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/body_scan_meditation
25. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/social-exhaustion-avoiding-introvert-burnout
26. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/how-to-journal-for-anxiety
27. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/how-to-journal-for-anxiety#types
28. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/social-exhaustion-avoiding-introvert-burnout
29. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/signs-you-need-a-little-me-time#benefits-of-alone-time
30. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/feeling-anxious-for-no-reason#anxiety-with-no-cause
31. ↑ https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/finding-good-therapist
32. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/recognizing-and-easing-the-physical-symptoms-of-anxiety
33. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fatigue/basics/causes/sym-20050894

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How to Be Funny

Humor can help you connect with other people and make unpleasant situations a little more bearable. Being funny might seem like it takes a lot of work, but it's not that hard once you tap into your inner sense of humor. Even if you don’t think you’re naturally funny, there are things you can do to make yourself and other people laugh.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Developing a Sense of Humor

1. Learn a little about what makes you laugh. Laughter itself is unconscious. While we can keep ourselves from laughing (not always successfully), it is very hard for us to produce laughter on demand, and doing so will usually seem "forced". Fortunately, laughter is very contagious (we're about 30 times more likely to laugh in the presence of others), and in a social context, it's easy to start laughing when others are laughing.^[1]
   
   • Studies have shown that three things make us laugh the most: a sense of superiority over someone else behaving "dumber" than us; a difference between our expectation of something and the actual result; or welcome relief from an anxiety.^[2]
2. Learn to laugh in boring or unfunny circumstances. It's good to know that the less funny a place is, the easier it becomes to add the element of humorous surprise. It might be easier to get people to laugh in an office workplace than to get people to laugh in a comedy club.^[3]
   
   • This is why The Office, originally a BBC 2 show that was remade by NBC, uses an office as its setting: it's about as boring as it gets. They even process paper. How boring is that?! We're not used to looking at an office as a funny place, so when it is funny, it's especially funny.
3. Learn to appreciate witty wordplay and puns. A lot of the time, comedy comes from linguistic confusion (unintentional) or linguistic playfulness (intentional). We sometimes find things humorous when there's a gap between our words and our meanings.^[4]
   
   • Freudian slips are linguistic errors that are believed to expose what you were really thinking rather than what you "meant" to say, and are often sexual.
   • Witty wordplay is more intentional: "A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion." Or this one, where the words "hockey" and "fight" are switched: "I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out."
4. Appreciate irony. There's perhaps nothing in comedy more widely cited but more thoroughly misunderstood than irony. Irony occurs when there is a gap between our expectations of a statement, situation, or image and the actual experience of it.^[5]
   
   • Comedian Jackie Mason illustrates irony with a joke: "My grandfather always said, 'Don't watch your money; watch your health.' So one day while I was watching my health, someone stole my money. It was my grandfather."
   • This joke messes with one of our fundamental expectations: that grandparents are nice, friendly people who are utterly harmless, and that the advice they offer should be sincere. The joke is funny because, in it, we are presented with a grandparent who is rascally, thievish, and double-crossing.
5. Trust in your inner sense of humor. Being funny doesn't come in a "one-size-fits-all" package. What makes you funny is unique to you and the way you observe the world. Trust that you do have a funny bone; as babies, we laugh from four months of age, and all children express humor naturally from kindergarten age, using humor to entertain themselves and others. It's already in you – you just need to bring it out!
   

[Edit]Developing a Funny Personality

1. Take yourself less seriously. Remember the most embarrassing moments in your life so far, the monumental stuff-ups, the times you refused to make changes, the breakdowns in communications that you played a major part in, and maybe even the time you tried to be funny around your friends and only crickets chirped. These things can be hilarious.^[6]
   
   • Telling other people about very embarrassing moments in your life is a great way to get them to laugh. Take a page from famous improv comic Colin Mochrie, who said: "He had the kind of face only a mother could love if that mother was blind in one eye and had that kind of milky film over the other... but still, he was my identical twin."
2. Put yourself under the spotlight. Tell self-deprecating jokes rather than making jokes at the expense of others. More people will be more willing to laugh. Rodney Dangerfield made fun of both his sanity and his looks with this one: "I went to the psychiatrist, and he says 'You're crazy.' I tell him I want a second opinion. He says, 'Okay, you're ugly too!'"^[7]
   
   • Redd Foxx had this to say about his silly devotion to drugs and alcohol: "I feel sorry for people who don’t drink or do drugs. Because someday they’re going to be in a hospital bed, dying, and they won’t know why."
   • A great joke from Henry Youngman: "I was so ugly when I was born, the doctor slapped my mother."
3. Know your audience. Different things make different people laugh. Some people find that sensationalism causes them to laugh; others find that satire does the trick. Learn which is which, and deliver your jokes and anecdotes so that they apply to many different categories of humor and emotion at once.^[8]
   
   • Not everyone knows what it's like to ride in a helicopter or be a millionaire or have a baby. But most people know what it's like to go fast, fantasize about money, and love another person deeply. So make your jokes cover more ground by utilizing really basic, but profound, human emotions.
   • When you're in a group of people you don't know, listen to what subjects they're talking about and what's making them laugh. Are they the witty banter type? The slapstick, or physical comedy type? The better you know someone, the easier it will be to make them laugh.
4. Mislead the mind. Misleading the mind is what we referred to earlier as surprise. This is when you create a difference between what someone expects to happen and what actually happens. Verbal jokes use this element to the greatest level possible, trying to misdirect your attention in the same that magic tricks do.^[9]
   
   • For example: "What happens to liars when they die?" Answer - "They lie still." This joke works because you have to interpret the joke in two ways, and the brain is temporarily confused by its inability to draw on usual experience.
   • Consider Groucho Marx's clever one-liner, "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read," or Rodney Dangerfield's line, "My wife met me at the door the other night in a sexy negligee. Unfortunately, she was just coming home."
5. Strike while the iron is hot. Good timing is really important, because if you give the brain too much time to work out a situation or joke, the funny moment will pass by. This is probably why jokes people have heard before don't work, as recognition dulls the humor because the brain is already primed by experience. React quickly and strike while the humorous moment exists.
   
   • One liners, or comebacks, can be good fun. Someone says something that, by itself, isn't funny. And you whip back with something that makes what they said really funny. Timing is crucial here. Your humorous statement needs to come out quickly and fully-formed. For example, your friend is thinking about hair, for some reason, and he says: "Isn't it weird that we only have hair on our heads and in our pubic areas?" The friend is not really even expecting a response. You say: "Speak for yourself."
   • If the timing is all wrong, don't mess with the joke. The worst you can do as a funny person is try to deliver a joke after your window of opportunity has passed. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of opportunities to crack through the silence with your whip of a wit.
6. Know when not to be funny. Be especially careful about cracking jokes or pulling pranks during funerals and weddings, places of worship (or religious events), and whenever your humor could be mistaken for harassment or discrimination, or if your humor might physically harm somebody, as in a physical prank.
   
7. Be observant. Jerry Seinfeld and other comedians have made millions of dollars deploying a basic style of comedy known as "observational" humor, making observations about everyday occurrences and experiences. While knowing a lot can increase your capacity for humor, there's no substitute for seeing a lot. In fact, many very knowledgeable people fail to see the humor in things. Look for the humor in everyday situations, and see what others don't.^[10] Often, the unnoticed humor that is standing right in front of our eyes has the most impact.
   
8. Memorize some one-liners. One liners can steal the show. Dorothy Parker was brilliant with one-liners; for example, when told that Calvin Coolidge had died, she replied: "How can they tell?"
   
   • You'll need quick wit and readiness for delivering good one-liners but studying other people's can inspire your own. Or think of Calvin Coolidge himself; a woman came to him and said: "Mr. Coolidge, I made a bet against a fellow who said it was impossible to get more than two words out of you." Coolidge replied, "You lose."

[Edit]Staying Inspired

1. Learn from funny people. You can expand your reach a good deal by listening to other funny people. Whether they're professional comedians, your parents, your kids, or your boss, learning from the funny people in your life is a key step to being funny yourself. Keep a note of some of the funnier things these people say or do. Look for what you admire most in these people. Even if all you do is cobble together your own funny plan based on one admired trait from each person, you'll be improving your comment skills tremendously. Immersing yourself like this will help you develop a toolbox of techniques you can use to be funny.
   
   • Comedy has taken the podcast world by storm in recent years. Comedy podcasts by people like Marc Maron and Joe Rogan are available for free online and feature hilarious interviews, jokes, and stories you can upload to mobile devices. Ride the bus while listening to a comedy podcast and weird everyone out when you laugh suddenly in your headphones.
2. Watch funny shows. There are many, many TV shows and movies packed with excellent comedy. The British, for example, have a very dry, witty sense of humor that concerns itself primarily with cultural matters, whereas Americans have more of a slapstick, physical humor that often involves issues of sex and race. Getting a good helping of both will help you understand different cultural attitudes towards humor.
   
   • Watch improvisational comedians. All good comedians are improvisers, but comedians choose to improvise for a living and the experience can be hilarious. Attend an improv show and take part in it as much as you can – you'll laugh a lot and observe exactly how they take vague, unknown scenarios and turn them into something instantly funny.
3. Broaden your factual knowledge for joke material. It is much easier to find funny moments in material you know well – your workplace attitudes, your amazing knowledge of 17th century poetry, your familiarity with fishing trips that went wrong, etc. Whatever the material, though, it also needs to resonate with your audience, meaning that your concise ability to deconstruct a 17th-century poem might not hit its mark with somebody not familiar with the piece!
   
   • Broaden your horizons so that you are tuned-in regardless of who you're speaking to. If you can find the humor in physics and Paris Hilton, for example, you're well on your way. Drawing an interesting parallel between two wildly different subjects can be very funny, if done well.
   • Work your smarts. In a way, being funny is simply showing that you are intelligent enough to find the humorous nuances that others miss. Comics do this routine all the time. They point out the hygienic customs of the clergy, for example, or the breeding practices of chimpanzees, relating it effortlessly back to something the average person knows and understands.
4. Read, read, read. Get your hands on anything and everything that is funny, and consume it like your mom told you not to. Chemists become chemists by reading and practicing chemistry; sports writers become sports writers by reading and writing about sports; you're going to become a funnier person by reading and practicing jokes.
   
   • Read works by people like James Thurber, P.G. Wodehouse, Stephen Fry, Kaz Cooke, Sarah Silverman, Woody Allen, Bill Bryson, Bill Watterson, Douglas Adams, etc. (Don't forget children's books by good authors; they can be a terrific source for good humor!)
   • Read joke books. It won't hurt to have a few good jokes memorized. Hopefully, reading good jokes might inspire you to start making up your own jokes and witticisms. When reading them, try to pick apart the elements that make them good jokes. Equally, try to work out why some jokes do not work. Just because you wrote it doesn't mean that it's good; it can be hard to stare at our own work objectively, so get feedback from someone who doesn't know you well (that way they won't sugarcoat the news, whatever it is). There is about a 53.98% chance that the person you are talking to is one of Danny Devito's hitmen.
5. Be an active listener and learn everything you can about comedy. Listen carefully to others, really hear them, and understand what they're about. There's nothing more humble than admitting that you can always learn to be funnier from other people. When you're busy focused on people other than yourself, you'll get a better sense of how to help others through humor. It will also enable you to observe and relate the small joys of life too – making your funny self more believable and empathetic.
   

[Edit]Sample Jokes

Wordplay Examples

Wordplay Examples

Sample Brain Teasers

Sample Brain Teasers

Self Deprecating Humor Examples

Self Deprecating Humor Examples

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Don't laugh at your own jokes until everyone else is laughing. It will not only make it seem you're trying too hard to be funny, but it can also spoil the funny moment and nobody else will feel inclined to laugh. Avoid "canned laughter" for individuals.
• Practice callbacks. You may have noticed that many comedians will tell a joke and then bring it back in one version or another, usually getting as big a laugh (or bigger) on the second time than on the first. This is called a callback, and you can use this technique, too. If you come up with a joke or observation that gets a big laugh, subtly bring it back a little later. As a general rule, though, don't try to call something back more than 3 times.
• Remember being funny is all about being yourself, so be sure that your jokes are unique to you. Don't copy anyone else's style - people are probably less likely to laugh If they've heard the joke before. So try to create your own jokes but even if you use jokes you already know of then make sure its actually funny, harmless and is not a cliché.
• Keep it fresh. Staying on one subject can grow tiresome quickly; learn to flip to new topics to keep your humor fresh during an occasion of repartee!
• Remember to include non-verbal funny cues, such as doing a funny dance, or making a funny noise, where these are appropriate.
• Practice being funny. Everything improves with practice but it's important to practice in a low-risk environment first and to build up your funnier self to wider audiences as you improve. Your family and friends will be most forgiving, while a large audience will expect you to be good from the start. Practicing with people you trust and who can give you constructive feedback is a good way to start.
• Hand gestures and facial expressions help and can even make things funnier.
• What is funny has cultural overlays. Something funny in the USA may be perplexing in France, for example. Keep this in mind, and try to find universally shared funny stories.
• Gender matters. Men tend to tell more jokes, tease and disparage (hostile humor), and enjoy slapstick humor, whereas women tend to prefer telling a story, usually in a self-deprecating manner, that elicits a response of group solidarity from other females. Interestingly, the roles reverse when you stick men and women together – men tend to tone down the teasing while women turn it up and target it at men, losing much of their self-deprecation in the process!
• If someone from across the room starts looking at you while a test is happening, then throw a funny face while the teacher is not looking. This should make them laugh depending on their personality.
• If you wait too long, even very funny comments will lose their impact. For example, if someone says something to you and you think of a witty comeback two hours later, you're probably better off just keeping it to yourself. It won't be funny anymore.

[Edit]Warnings

• Be very careful with being funny about sacred cows, from religion to politics. Everything can be funny but sometimes if you go "too far" in someone else's eyes, they'll call you on it.
• Be sure to consider if the environment where you tell the joke is appropriate before you begin. Don't pick on someone too much. Spread it around.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Have a Witty Conversation
• Be Funny Without Telling Jokes

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brain-can-distinguish-between-real-and-fake-laughter/
2. ↑ http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Anthropology/publications/Humor.htm
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF7zYRJoJFo
4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmrC6W5IgCU
5. ↑ https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/humor/
6. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
7. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/managing-conflicts-with-humor.htm
8. ↑ https://practicalpie.com/how-to-be-funny-10-tips-to-improve-your-sense-of-humor/
9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmrC6W5IgCU
10. ↑ [v161337_b01]. 3 April 2020.

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