Be Mindful of the Self-Deprecation Trap
It’s funny to poke fun at yourself — until it isn’t.
Do you like a good joke? Are you a fan of a good belly laugh?
How about self-deprecating humor? Will you poke fun at yourself to garner laughter from friends and colleagues?
It is important to be able to laugh at yourself. Taking yourself too seriously leads to all kinds of unpleasant places, as those seen to be lacking in humor or too serious are often not cast in the best light.
Too much seriousness gives the impression of no fun, rigidity, pretention, and a lack of willingness to be light-hearted and so on. You probably know or have known somebody whom you saw like this.
The ability to poke fun at one’s self is good, in that it can lighten difficult situations, ease tension, and shows that you are willing to find and express the funny. This is all well and good…until it isn’t.
Self-deprecating humor goes too far
Most people see self-deprecating humor as light and fun. If you cannot make fun of yourself, and rib yourself here and there, that perceived rigidity appears to give more fuel to others for taking pokes at you. Friends tease, laugh at one another, and make light of shortcomings and misunderstandings in this way.
