Funny Birthday Cards and Observational Humour
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Overview
Why is observational humour so ubiquitous? Why do we love it so much? I think it’s something to do with privacy and the fact that so much of our lives we keep inside ourselves.
When it’s brought out into the open it makes us feel exposed which gives us the nervous excitement and giggles that we don’t get every day.
Why do we like to observe others?
Part of the answer is that it takes the pressure off us, if we’re talking about someone else, nobody can be looking at us, or that’s how it feels anyway.
We all have a weird insecurity that people are watching us, when in reality because that’s what we’re all worrying about, we’re not watching anyone else. And if nobody is watching anyone else that means by definition that nobody is watching us!
The fact that we all feel that we’re being watched disproves itself by existing! There must be a word for that - a thing that is disproved by its own existence.
Why do we like to laugh at other people?
The answer to this one is similar, it’s about attention. The number of times I’ve done something embarrassing and been worried what people will think, only to find out later that nobody noticed. Everyone is so fixated on themselves that they really don’t even notice other people.
Often they don’t even listen either. How many times have you observed a conversation between two people when what’s really happening is a pair of monologues, where they just take turns making noises from their faces?
I see this a lot, and if you haven’t, now that I’ve mentioned it you’ll probably see it happen a lot.
So what does this have to do with buying a card?
It’s about making a statement – we can all just buy a silly card for someone but to actually observe them and buy something that’s about them is a special thing. Most people don’t do that, and if you do, you’ll stand out and they’ll appreciate it.
Dan
LinkedIn profileAfter 25+ years juggling IT and management, Dan realized that many people (including friends, family, and coworkers) were grappling with anxiety and stress brought on by modern life. Determined to offer some comic relief, he founded Mr. Inappropriate, an online store for wonderfully rude and funny adult gifts and cards. Through weekly true stories, naughty product lines, and genuine one-on-one connections with customers, Dan’s mission is to help people safely push social boundaries, share a good laugh, and discover that being a bit “inappropriate” can be surprisingly therapeutic. A proud Yorkshire resident, Dan remains steadfast in his belief that humour is one of the best ways to escape the pressures of everyday life, and that a well-timed, mischievous gift can often o more good than any pill.
