We had some friends stay with us this week. We enjoy each other’s company, and we laughed a lot. This may sound obvious, but it is worth noting because adults do not always laugh as much as they should. One night we went to a comedy club. While it was not the best comedy club experience any of us have ever had, it did spark a lively post-show discussion about what we find funny and, just as importantly, what we really do not.
For me, the best comedy comes from someone taking an everyday situation and flipping it just enough that you see it in a new and unexpected way. I am not a big fan of shock for shock’s sake, and I have seen plenty of comics be hilarious without relying on profanity or offensive language or imagery. Some comedians are especially good at warming up a room with crowd work, gently pulling audience members into the fun and helping them laugh at themselves. I tend to check out when that crowd work turns into picking on someone in the hopes that everyone else will laugh at their expense.
After all, we go to comedy clubs to have a good time. Before the show started, we noticed something interesting: the entire room filled up before anyone sat in the front row. Technically, those are the best seats in the house. You are closest to the performers. But we have all learned the same lesson the hard way. Sitting in the front row is basically signing a waiver that says, “Yes, please talk to me, and yes, please make me part of your act.” That is not usually what people mean when they say they are “up for a fun night out.”
With close friends, on the other hand, laughter often comes easily. We know each other well enough to rib one another, be silly, exaggerate wildly, or say things that only make sense because of years of shared history. It is playful, good-spirited, and nobody goes home wondering whether the laughs were worth a cover charge and a two-drink minimum.
Laughter really is good medicine. When so much of life feels serious and complicated, humor is a welcome antidote. Since this is our last Holidailies blog of the season, I want to thank you for joining us for the 14th year of our family blog this December. I hope it gave you at least a few smiles along the way.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. See you next year.
Thanks for reading!
Frosty
