Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-29
Outright. 191
SUB ROSA
BY MIMI.
Wrong Kind of Humor.

Have YOU ever told a joke, reached
IA triumphant conclusion, looked
around and received few weak snick-
ers for applause? Have you ever then
kicked yourself savagely for making
such a fool Of yourself and wished
whole -heartedly that you could crawl
away somewhere and die.
OF course, you have, if you're al
ways pulling that sort of fiasco. Sim
ply because you're too anxious. You're
50 grimly and desperately bent on be-
ing amusing that the desperation and
earnestness creeps into your voice,
robbing your tale of any humor or
merriment.
You simply can't try to be funny
and have any success at all. Unless
you're really funny by nature, better
give up the attempt to become HUI
morist.
Listen to the guy who's always
keeping the crowd roaring. OF course
it's true he's making some effort-but
all the humor and the merriment and
the gayety Is right there inside him.
He's so chockfull of comedy he can't
keep it in. He's bursting with jokes.
His eyes twinkle. He doesn't look
apprehensive. He knows that his line
will make people laugh, because he's
Just on the verge of laughter himself.
There must be lots of girls of your
acquaintance who will relate the most
unexciting stories in manner that
sets a crowd roaring. They've got
real humor bottled up inside them, and
there is no need for them to be grimly
earnest about saying amusing things
Nowadays. of course, it's the fashion
to be amusing and gay and witty. So
every young thing tries to cultivate
a funny line.
Nothing is more pitiful than some
of the results Of this nationwide at
tempt.
To watch a girls face as she offers
her timid wisecraek-to see her essay
a bright remark with worried smile
to catch that quick flush that comes
with the unappreciative silence with
which her bon mot is received-is to
realize the folly of ever putting your
mind to being funny without any real
fun inside.
Do you know when you are at your
wittiest. your snappiest, your best?
When you're feeling good? When
you're on top of the world physically
and mentally?
Then without much effort on your
part you'll find yourself sparkling and
giggling and making bright, amusing
remarks that keep every one happy.
But you can't force yourself into
such a frame of mind. It's got to
come to you. 1t will only come if
you're not striving too desperately
hard for it.
Let yourself be natural and easy.
Don't worry yourself sick over the
idea that you simply must pull
wonderful wisecrack or you'll be
frost on the party.
Be yourself, If you're not the
amusing type. realize it. and don't
try for something you can't reach. A
quiet. demure little thing who knows
her limitations is a thousand times
more attractive than one who makes
efforts to be sparkling and nonsensical
She is usually painful to the eye and
to the ear.
Forced humor is the wrong kind
of humor.
Laughter and wit ought to bubble
up naturally from the wells of happi-
ness within us. They should come
easily. Only then will they be
effective.
Mimi will he glad to answer any in
quiries directed to this paper, provided a
stamped. addressed envelope is inclosed
Also she will be glad to send FOOD fer
Conversation" and How to Overcome Self
Consciousness
fConyrght. 1877