There is one problem when you're perceived as "funny": you often wonder if they are laughing with you or AT you. "Are they laughing because what I said or did was funny, or are they laughing AT me?" This especially happens when you didn't even realize you were being funny until after people around you start laughing. I mean you weren't even trying and yet laughter was the result. It's really kind of an awkward, confusing and, surprisingly, still somewhat of a pleasant moment to be caught in.
I'm not saying everyone finds me funny, or much less that I believe I am, but some people have told me that I'm funny. And then a few don't even have to say it, they're laughter gives it away. And those in particular are the ones that cause my confusion about the matter. There are a few of them in my life, who just smile and laugh the minute we see each other. That worries me.
How is it that I'm not even trying to make them laugh, and the second they see me they laugh? Come on, that seems a tad cruel. Am I that ugly? Or is it my hair? Or my weight? Or is it that disgustingly huge pimple I have on my mustache area? (Unfortunately, I really do have a huge pimple today, I'm not trying to be funny.)
Today, for example, I went to play volleyball and saw a person I recently became friends with. The second he saw me he smiled and laughed. So I was thrown off by that, and I honestly didn't know how to react. Um... okay, I'm beginning to realize it was the pimple. No, but in all seriousness, this is not the first time he laughs, it has happened a few times before the pimple. Anyway, I didn't want to be rude and say, "what the heck are you laughing at?" But I really wondered. I ended up just telling myself, "He's just being polite and doing what normal people should do when seeing someone, say hi and smile."
As I think about this, I am reminded of two specific people with whom I too am "polite" and "say hi and smile." In an effort to know if I am making a fool of myself to cause the laughter, I have asked myself why THEY make ME laugh. My laughter is not based on malice or condescension upon them. I don't find them to be fools, ugly, fat or anything like that. One has acne sometimes and the other doesn't, so acne is not the cause either. They just naturally seem like happy, unpretentious people; and so I find that refreshing and joy inspiring---at (often) times funny.
Now, I am sure those are not the same reasons a few of my friends find me humorous. But, honestly, does it really matter why someone finds us funny? As long as we're not intentionally hurting anyone in the process, it can't be that bad. A smile is a good thing, and a smile with laughter behind it is even better.
May we all be a little less self-conscious and less afraid to be who we are. If that happens to be "funny" in the eyes of another, then perhaps we have the opportunity to be a little blessing called "joy" in their lives. "Funny" is one of those simple pleasures of life. And the blessing to us, the people being laughed with or at? If you can make someone laugh, you can make a friend.
Just real quick, don't TRY to be funny. Nothing more annoying.
