Kill The Comic Before He Makes Botunda Laugh Again!!!

March 6, 2006 9:32 PM

I can't stand my laugh. Need some help to change it.

Now, before you all start on me about, "It your laugh it's you, do what you want, " my laugh has been described as "as if you choking, and sort of sneezing at the same time." But that's not really accurate. Another has said that, "Don't worry about it, at least we can find you in a mall"

It is a very sticcatto laugh. I don't know where the fuck I picked it up but it has been with me for some time.

Imagine, almost like a Pee-Wee/Eddie Murphy laugh, but deeper and more annoying. And I do it at the drop of a hat. Even during small little office joke humour-type things, I start in with the "Huuhhh, Huuhhh, Huuuhh, Huuuhh, Huuhh, Hhuuhhh.

Even if something is slightly funny I start with the whole thing. I mean people stop laughing, if it is genuialy funny, and look at me like I've just killed the punch-line or something.

It bothers me, it bothers others (I think), and I really don't like it. I don't have a cleft-lip or anything (sorry to those that do) but it is really that has been with me for about, well, now that I think about it, since Eddy Murphy was funny!

And yes, that is where probably I got it from.

Please Help!

posted by Botunda to human relations (15 comments total)

Do I work with you?
posted by crabintheocean at 9:53 PM on March 6, 2006

I was a little disappointed in my laugh as well. I don't think it's that hard to change, just try practicing a different laugh when you see something funny. Just go "ha ha ha ha" to yourself in a more normal sounding way.

I think after a while you'll get used to the new laugh, I think I was able too.

*shrug*
posted by delmoi at 10:11 PM on March 6, 2006

Try engaging in AIM chats or other online conversations, and whenever you find something funny, type "hahaha." It's more genuine than "lol," and I guarantee that if you do that long enough, it'll change your laugh to be closer to the stereotypical "ha ha ha" kind of laugh.

Similarly, if you type "lol" a lot when you're amused in chats, you're more likely to have the impulse to say "loll" in real life.

That's what happened to me, anyway.
posted by limeonaire at 10:30 PM on March 6, 2006

I used to have a very wheezy silent sort of laugh. At some point (college?) I basically affected a loud, enthusiastic bark—"Ha!"—which was both shorter and less ambiguous.

Of course, now I occasionally get looks as That Guy Who Barks, but it's an improvement. And the point is that you can simply teach yourself to laugh differently. Pick a laugh, and start doing it, and it'll get natural over time.
posted by cortex at 10:39 PM on March 6, 2006

I don't know how helpful this will be, but I just thought I'd share my experience.
I used to have a sort of strange laugh, which expressed itself mostly as a series of little "Sssss" noises, or if something was really funny, a snort.
I don't know where I picked that laugh up, but some time in high school I realized how dumb it sounded, or rather I started worrying that it sounded dumb, and I decided to change it. I gave it some thought, and experimented with a couple of other laughs, and I eventually found one that I thought sounded and felt sincere. It's more of a traditional "ha ha ha" kind of thing. I think that was the key, making sure it felt good to do. After that it only took me a couple of days of actually thinking about it, and suddenly I had replaced my laugh. It's been years and the new laugh has stuck with me.
So I suppose the point is that it's possible to change your laugh, just try to find one that feels as good as a laugh should and you'll pick it right up.
posted by raygan at 10:54 PM on March 6, 2006

Get your father to sarcastically mimic your laugh. That's what worked for me.
posted by brundlefly at 11:39 PM on March 6, 2006

I didn't know it was possible to change your laugh...without it becoming fake and forced anyway. But if you didn't always laugh like that and "picked it up" along the way, perhaps there is hope for you by practicing a more conventional laugh.

Btw raygan, that's how my gf laughs and I love it.
posted by Devils Slide at 2:06 AM on March 7, 2006

I also had no idea it was possible to change your laugh . . .and I've also sometimes wondered if my laugh is annoying to others, but have never dared to ask anyone.
posted by Zendogg at 2:35 AM on March 7, 2006

start smoking... alot
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 5:40 AM on March 7, 2006

I changed my laugh a few years ago - I don't know how natural it was (even though I'm a chick, my voice noticeably changed in high school from first to second soprano and now I'm an alto), but I started conciously making a deeper tone when I laughed. Seemed to work; I actually get complimented on my laugh now.
posted by kalimac at 6:49 AM on March 7, 2006

I used to laugh like a supervillian, but really what made me try to change it is that I was tired of being recognized when I laughed at inappropriate moments during plays or movies.
("You were there, weren't you?"
"Yeah."
"During the love scene, we could tell.")
So, it was more just an effort to be quieter. I also have several different laughs, from giggle to chuckle to guffaw. Keep an eye on what makes you laugh how, and think about it. Your laugh will change on its own, to the point where you'll be comfortable with it and stop thinking about it again. Even if you do occassionally belt out a huge one when something really strikes you.
posted by klangklangston at 8:00 AM on March 7, 2006

Fred?
posted by Pressed Rat at 1:14 PM on March 7, 2006

laugh from your belly/gut
posted by Furious Fitness at 1:35 PM on March 7, 2006

Get comfortable with your laughing and you're more likely to just let it roll out comfortably. I recommend a stack of movies/television plus some good friends and beer.
posted by mikeh at 2:06 PM on March 7, 2006

Sounds silly, but try laughing with your mouth closed and see how that sounds. It sounds so much more like your voice, rather than anything harsh or breathy or hissy or whatever.
posted by ersatzkat at 6:26 PM on March 7, 2006