It’s no secret that I love a good laugh, and like many people, I use jokes to break the ice in social situations. That said, there’s something that bothers me – the trend of people using jokes to prop up their bags of fake confidence.
Am I the only one who notices that so many people use their witty one-liners as a crutch for their lack of self-esteem? It’s as if they don’t feel like they can get the same kind of acknowledgement if they just had a nice conversation. It’s just so phony, you know?
The truth is that jokes are great! They provide a great way to start a conversation and also, they typically bring a room – or an online chat—together. I have a plethora of jokes in my pocket that I can reach for, so I’m in no way, shape or form discounting the importance of humour.
That said, this trend of people using jokes to attempt to bolster their false sense of bravado is getting out of hand. You can literally feel the need to impress and the lack of real self-worth behind it in conversations with some people.
I personally think people should just drop the facade and be up front and honest about how they feel. We all have our insecurities and “warts and all” is so much more genuine than this bag of fake confidence.
I suggest that instead of relying on schtick and punch lines, people should talk more about their interests and engage in real conversations. It can be scary, I know, but so much more rewarding in the end.
It’s not just about being authentic, it’s also about building relationships based on honest communication. If someone is being themselves and talking about issues that matter to them, it’s easier to build an understanding of each other that is greater than just surface level.
Whenever I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable introducing myself to people, I try to take a step back and focus on the shared interests that we may have. Talking about something like music, literature or hobbies can also go a long way in opening up a conversation.
And if you find yourself a bit stuck for words, you can also think of interesting questions to ask the other person. Despite the fact that it can be intimidating, I really encourage people to practice self-exploration and put themselves out there.
We can learn so much from each other when we are open and honest in our conversations. Plus, it’s way better than that empty bag of fake confidence. People can see through it and it capsizes like a sinking ship in no time.
An opportunity to share stories is something that shouldn’t be wasted. Furthermore, even if we don’t become BFFs with the people we talk to, at least we can practice the act of connecting and enjoying human interaction.
There’s a huge difference between authentic conversations and using lame jokes to impress people. You may think that the latter will gain you more attention, but in reality, phonies will quickly be spotted and written off.
I’ve noticed that when I just start talking without worrying about the result, I always feel a lot better afterwards. Sure, sometimes I get a few awkward stares, but more often than not, I also get some smiles and enthusiastic conversations in return.
So, today I’m consciously making the decision to limit my joke-telling and opt for more meaningful conversations with people. And hey, who knows where that’ll lead me? I can’t wait to find out.