How to Fake Laughter

We have all been the victim of someone's terrible joke. They think it's hilarious, and you don't really get it. But you laugh anyway, trying to sound authentically amused. For the next time your boss, friend or loved one tells you a terrible joke, here are some tips on how to fake laughter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Wait for the punch line. When a joke is being told, you can usually get a pretty good idea at the start if it's going to be funny. If the person who is telling the joke is engaging, then you won't mind laughing. But if he is mumbling and stumbling or telling a tired "Did you hear about the priest, rabbi and hooker?" joke setup, you mustn't begin laughing too soon. Pay attention to him and keep that sort of anticipatory surprise look on your face as he muddles through.
2. Start to smile warmly. Real laughter is not blurted out. It builds from the gut. So you must build your laughter as well. The first natural step is to begin to smile. As the joke teller approaches the punch line, remove the surprised face and let it meld into a smile.
3. Make small guttural sounds. This is the "huh" or the "ha" before the laughter. Sprinkle a few of these in along with the smile as the joke is reaching its culmination.
4. Give a half beat of space before the end of the joke and when you begin to laugh harder. It is bad to laugh before the end of the joke, over the punch line. To avoid this, allow space in between the punch line and when you begin to laugh.
5. Laugh in your natural manner. All of us are different in the way we laugh, but the trick is to keep it consistent. Don't overdo it. Keep it natural, and you'll be able to fake laughter at every terrible joke for the rest of your life.

Tips & Warnings

• A pat on the back or smack of the joke teller's arm might aid in your fake laughter. This will deter her from your lack of interest in the joke and make her think you find the joke so funny that you need to express the laughter outward. If you notice, many people do this when something is hysterically funny and they can't quite get a grip for a moment.