One reason many couples never reach their “laughter potential” is because they have never taken humour seriously. It sounds strange but to bring more laughter into your relationship, you need to know what makes your significant other laugh. After all, each of us has a unique sense of humour.
As public speakers, we’ve experienced occasions where someone will laugh out loud at something most everyone else would barely chuckle at. And, of course, some people never crack a smile at something almost everyone else thinks is hilarious.
So, your job is to find those things your partner thinks are most funny by paying attention to when he or she laughs.
“I never realised how much Susan laughs at a silly comic strip,” a participant at one of our seminars told us. “When you asked us to think about each other’s humour styles, it dawned on me that I hardly ever laugh at comics in the paper, but she seems to really enjoy them.”
This enlightened husband went on to tell us how he was now learning to laugh at comic strips too. He now makes a habit out of reading them and even cuts one out to show Susan from time to time.
Maybe your partner likes a sarcastic wit. Maybe it’s slapstick that makes him or her laugh. Or maybe it’s the old classic sitcoms like The Andy Griffith Show.
Wherever his or her funny bone is located, find it and use it — at least once a day.
See other stories in this series on laughing your way to a better relationship:
-
Story 1: Remember Rule No. 6 for a happier romance
-
Story 2: Save the spark (by making fun of each other)
-
Story 3: Laugh when you don’t feel like it (for a healthier relationship)
-
Story 4: Look for the funny around you – put the fun back into your love life