A How-To Guide for Bringing Humour Back to The Workplace

I LOVE to laugh. In-fact, humour is one of the most important things in my life.

“Funny is the world I live in. You’re funny I’m interested. You’re not funny, I’m not interested.” - Jerry Seinfeld

So, when society started to get a LOT more sensitive about what it found funny vs. offensive, it was challenging for me. So challenging, that I swore not to joke at the office anymore. Which for me was torturous.

I know it's society's fault. But look at the society that society was raised in. Society never had a chance.

 At the time I told my close friends and business partners “I hate work me. If I saw work me on the street, I would punch him in the throat.” Which BTW got some OK laughs.

I was miserable. So, I decided that I needed to find a way to bring ‘funny’ back into my work life. BUT with a big difference, I needed to define territories that were safe (at least as safe as can be these days). I’ll admit, I still slip-up once in a while (I secretly love really dark sarcastic humour), but I’m getting better at finding the boundaries and not crossing them (I hope!). 

 I don't commit micro-aggressions. All my aggressions are passive - but I guess you didn't notice that. Whatever. 

If you are like me, then you feel like without laughter, there’s no living. In that case, this list might help you. It might seem obvious to some, but for those of us whose brains always jump to the punchline, without looking both ways first, it’s a handy map to the new world of acceptable.

Do

1. Self-deprecating humour. Caveat: As long as you aren’t overly cruel about an issue that someone else might share with you.
2. Joke about other’s strengths (not their weaknesses). You can joke about what a lustrous head of hair Frank has, but not anything negative about him (not that there's anything wrong with you Frank - you are perfect just the way you are buddy ??).
3. Absurdism (Go-ahead, be silly).
4. Juxtaposition and puns can be funny when cleverly executed. For example - People always ask me "Do you pronounce it GIF or GIF?" Obviously you pronounce it GIF. However it is spelled GIF.
5. A safe common enemy (like Martin Shkreli)
6. Pop culture. It’s ok to make fun of Game of Thrones (though not the fans).
7. Keep it light (Dark humour can backfire - I learned that the hard way).

 Don’t 

1. Nothing that ends in ‘ist’. Well MAYBE Marxist is OK, but that’s about it.
2. Nothing mean-spirited. I know, it makes me laugh too, but not at work??.
3. Nothing sexual. Kinda obvious, but needs to be on the list.
4. Never about someone’s work. Just don’t. Ever.
5. Never about someone’s weaknesses. Again, Frank you have no faults, but if you did, they would be off-limits!

That’s it. I know it’s difficult! Pretend you are a comedian who has been asked to “work clean” and it’s the only shot you have at the job... because that’s kind of what it is.

Treat it as a challenge and you will find it’s better than the alternative. Kind of like 'Beyond Meat', it’s not as good as a real hamburger, but it’s better than broccoli. (Note: if you work for Beyond Meat and use that, I want royalties).

Good luck!