Ladies, you may never have to stifle a burp or refrain from making a “your mom” joke in front of attractive guys ever again. All right, you might want to avoid belching, but the latter is perfectly fine by your potential new boyfriend.
According to a survey of 331,138 eHarmony male users, men are most interested in women who have “guy humor,” which consists of “sarcastic, juvenile, geeky or raw” jabs. The box office success and raving reviews of “Bridesmaids,” a female-centered comedy that features women with flatulence issues, restroom malfunctions, and a tendency to use foul language furthers the idea that people gravitate towards crude girls to some extent. Contemporary films like “Juno,” “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” and “Adventureland” show that males and females can connect over nerdy hobbies.
Brandon Aki, a courtship consultant based in Los Angeles, told The Daily Caller that guys appreciate women who can make light of situations.
“Humor and sarcasm are great ways to mask insecurity and men are masters of it. Women who are good at creating moments of levity are often found to be great company, because the feeling is safe and familiar to us,” Aki told TheDC.
Aki also said that humor can be a deal-breaker for couples.
“[I]f he can’t laugh with you, he can’t be with you,” Aki said, adding that delivery can make or break a joke. “Delivery is the key to great dating humor…Confident, graceful humor is wildly attractive.”
Aki noted that some wisecracks don’t resonate well with others, and such reception could spark conflict.
“But, because perceptions of good jokes are largely dependent on the person hearing them, there is a fine line between laughter and disaster,” Aki said.
When it comes to dating humor, Aki advises clients to steer clear of socially unacceptable subjects.
“Stay away from jokes about social taboos (topics that are often too seriously usually aren’t sexy),” Aki said.
In terms of women using foul language for a humorous effect, some men approve, but what’s funny to one individual might horrify another. For example, certain men might laugh when a woman curses while another guy might view it as classless.
“I think it’s kind of hot, actually, and funny,” wrote GuySpeak columnist Nick Nadel last year. “I mean, cursing someone out isn’t funny…but cursing for comedic effect in conversation is always cool with me. Sure, there’s a time and a place. I would prefer that you not swear like a sailor in front of my parents, or at a funeral or something, but otherwise I’m down with it. I curse for comedic effect (or, say, when I stub my toe) a lot. I try not to, but it happens, so I can’t expect my female friends and girlfriend to be Polly Prettymouth all the time.”
The Frenemy, a viral blog for edgy women who “are not your Little Black Dress…[or] your Manic Pixie Dream Girl,” also proves that females who adopt perceived “guy humor” can be well received. The popular website, which boasts nearly 4,000 Facebook fans, includes a blog post that explains, “I enjoy being funny. I like that my feet stink and that I sometimes don’t paint my toes. I hated the days when I measured my cereal cups and counted calories so my collarbones could stick out more. I also hated the days when I tried to be less funny than the guy who was hitting on me so I could make him feel more comfortable.”
The writer notes that while she may not be as conventionally attractive as “Transformers” actress Megan Fox, she’s a hilarious person.
“I don’t look as…attractive as Megan Fox! Megan Fox doesn’t even seem to be that funny, I bet I could outjoke her!”