Ann Althouse: Interesting Post on Women and Humor
This was an interesting post by Ann Althouse regarding women and humor. I was glad to see it because that subject has always intrigued me, as I am often a goofball and immediately stifle myself when I am being too comedic as though I’ve forsaken my femininity. I think a lot of women feel this way, as though being funny is somehow unladylike. Why is that? Is it instinct or a learned behavior? Maybe the feminine mystique is our main attraction, as masculine virility is for males, and intelligent humor is merely their instinctual way of “spitting game” to initiate interaction, which many may find overly assertive roleplay for women. What a waste to downplay the feminine perspective and wit. 
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2007/03/women-can-be-hilarious-but-fewer-of.html#comments
Melanie - this is a good post to follow up on and see some opinions expressed on the originating post…thanks for the link! I was laughed at a lot during my teens because I was nerdish and out of tune with the teen-age culture. So skulked around a lot trying to be un-noticed. I learned to laugh at myself and at situations during Art School, there were other nerdish types there, as well as the terribly witty cool and worldly ones. Hung out with guys and gals of “dorkdom” and some of them were really quirky and funny. Less attractive and more unsure guys transformed into desirable companions when they relaxed in company and just expressed their personal take on the world without trying to impress. I find people who are merely being themselves incredibly funny, and natural goofiness very attractive. I’d rather shiver in the cave with UGH! in the dead of winter if he could help laugh some of the difficulties off, rather than if he lay about, taciturn, picking the meat out of his teeth (UGH is smart, a looker and a superb hunter?, not necessarily - but easy on the eyes and not necessarily looking to be the Headman of the cave community.)
Bahahaaa! UGH
Gabriella, I also remember all of those very same boys in dorkdom, who were just like you describe and my good friends. They were so apathetic to cool that they actually were. And so many girls were blind to it, which was fine with me. I would hate to think that they ever changed. I think there is a trend today in that “cool” is in being intelligent and articulate with something to say, however one wants to say it…and it’s finally egalitarian and fair, both sexes on the same playing field, throwing the same ball and valued not only according to qualities of two separate spheres. That concept works beautifully and rightfully for many who fit in the box but limits those exceptional and innovative individuals who try to escape to work outside of it.
yay for dorkdom!
no, but seriously, humour is for me far more..uh, attractive?..endearing, yep, thats the word, than anything else. If i cant have a laugh then i cant really relax around people.