Civics 901
Face it, you need to be able to win friends and influence people at times. Rather that is opening or closing a speech or presentation to one person or the masses. Humor is a tool for these occasions. Great stories are the best. Great jokes can work just as good if delivered the right way and at the right time. Sure, we all have seen someone bomb at trying to use humor at the wrong time. Even if the time is right we have seen someone destroy his or her attempt at levity. It has happened to us too. We can easily be empathetic to those painful situations. We want to prevent them from happening. What power joke do you keep in your memory bank awaiting those precise moments when time and space converge great opportunities for you?
If you need an idea, I suggest the following joke be added to your go-to stash for sublime humor.
This joke is entitled Civics 901.
It goes like this…
When my son turned 22 he was still single. He liked dating the field. You know how it goes. He’s an incredibly bright young man. Just graduated in the top percent of his university. He is strikingly handsome too. Gets it from his father… no doubt. (If you’re a mom then say that he gets it from his mother, no doubt. Regardless, pause slightly after saying no doubt). I assure you my son has all the potential in the world.
So I called him home for dinner to tell him my plan. When he arrived I sat him down and I told my son, “You will marry the girl I choose. ” He said “No!” I told him “She is the daughter of the richest man in the world.” He said, “Okay, Dad/Mom I see your point.” Next, I called that rich gentleman and I said “I want your daughter to marry my son.” He said “No!” I told him “My son is the CEO of the World Bank.” He said, “Okay, I see your point.” Then I called the president of the World Bank and said, “I want you to make my son your CEO.” He said “No.” I told him “My son is the son-in-law of the richest man in the world.” He said, “Okay, I see your point.” And that my friends, is how politics work!
Mic drop.
Feel free to adjust the wording for your audience. Change the speed and tone of delivery accordingly to your circumstances. Practice helps. Just be sure to follow the two golden rules of humor. Never stumble through the words of your story or joke. Never ever forget a punch line.
