Wit-A-Minute

 

Most of the time in life, we wish we could have come up with a witty retort to somebody within the right time frame. And we think about the correct choice of words when it really didn’t matter—a minute, hour, or day after your conversation has ended? There’s a name for that phenomenon. It’s called l’esprit de l’escalier, or the spirit of the staircase, and refers to the perfect retort that arises at the wrong time. Still, you’re not doomed to sit by as clever companions exchange sharp banter. You can practice being wittier, improving your reaction times and ability to land a jab or joke at just the right moment. You don’t need to be a linguist to be able to do that. We can all get better at being witty and clever. And it’s worth trying because playing with words—elevates mundane communication from mere talk into a creative process.  It makes life less boring and more fun. 

Expert likes  Author James Greary says: “By practicing and mastering wit, learning to turn words and phrases around in the mind and presenting new juxtapositions, we can change the way we and other people see. “[W]it consists in binding together remote and separate notions, finding the similarity in dissimilar things (or dissimilarity in similar things), and drawing the mind from one word to another. The wittiest among us are simply people who make unusual connections between words and ideas. There’s a refreshing element of surprise to these observations that prompts a smile or a wince from the listener who didn’t see the link until it was presented” 

 In other words, a wit is someone who is disinhibited in linking ideas creatively but also capable of evaluating these connections thoughtfully, thereby presenting unexpected and clever combinations. First, just knowing that Wit is a kind of associative process already makes you better equipped to be a verbal gymnast. There can be a variety of kinds of wit, showing the way this play manifests—puns, rhyme, metaphor, slang, rap, to name a few. Being creative about language takes practice and can be mastered. It’s not just a natural talent. Like other forms of creativity, it is borne of knowledge. Having a rich vocabulary is a starting point. Curiosity is another important element. Appreciating language in all the places and ways it’s used—from pop music to literary fiction, scientific writing to slang—makes it easier to generate unusual combinations. With linguistic gymnastics, we can reach people who might not otherwise think they’re interested in certain ideas and break down barriers.  Likewise, Wit can reinforce boundaries, keeping out the humorless. It’s an efficient way to say more with less, as in the case of a metaphor, or to expose unexpected meanings.  

Then there are some common sense tips: First, Don’t Pressure Yourself: It’s really hard to be clever in conversation when you feel tense. Relax and let loose so you can allow your personality to shine through. At the end of the day, you’re just having conversations with people. Some will like you, some won’t and that’s okay. 

Acquire Knowledge: Read good books, talk to people you normally wouldn’t, and try new hobbies. You can stay up to date with trending topics as well. Visit reputable news websites and follow their social media accounts. You need to expand your perspective: New People, Different Subjects. 

Be Prepared: If you’re wondering how to be witty and funny, you have to prepare ahead of time. This will prevent you from freezing up mentally, especially when feel pressured and overwhelmed. What you’ll want to do is to make a list of situations that you find yourself in on a regular basis. Also, think of events in the past where you wanted to say something clever but you weren’t able to. And then, take the time to brainstorm some interesting responses and fun stories to share in advance. It’s hard to come up with the right things to say if you’re preoccupied with your own thoughts. 

Live in the Moment: Remember, anxiety happens when you’re focused on things that you can’t control. And then, pay attention to what’s happening around you. By doing so, you’ll feel less nervous and you’ll calm yourself down.  

Appear friendlier: If you want to learn how to be witty in conversation, you also have to work on your delivery. Keep in mind that the majority of your communication is non-verbal. It’s not just what you say but how you say it matters too. In order to appear friendlier, remember to have open body language. Make eye contact, keep your arms to your side, and have a genuine smile on your face. 

Believe In Yourself: Most people who struggle socially don’t speak up much. They often assume that what they have to say isn’t good enough that’s why they just keep to themselves. 

Don’t Put People Down:  You’ll get back exactly whatever you put out there. That being said, use your sense of humor to make whoever you’re with feel good around you. 

Remember Good Jokes: When you’re starting out, just get a feel for how people respond to your stories. Pay attention to what gets a good reaction and what doesn’t.   

Take Risks: In order to learn how to be witty and quick, you need to be courageous. You have to be willing to say and do things that most people won’t. That’s why you have to stop playing it safe and take more risks. As mentioned before, not all your jokes are going to be funny when you’re just starting out. 

You need to learn From Funny People: You need to watch more comedy shows and stand-up routines.

And Finally, Know When to Stop 

So many of us feel we are at our wit’s end many times.  Internet chatter is often toxic and commonly resorts to vitriolic retorts, angry declarations, and unnecessary observations. Wit is the antidote for a culture being dulled by communication overload—it’s a kind of wisdom you need.