Humor

A concept that I feel is important is humor. Humor plays an integral part in group communication. According to Harris, “Humor uses the power of verbal communication to share messages, relieve stress…” For many of us, humor is a way to break the ice. When starting out in a new group venture, humor can help everyone relax and start to act as a cohesive group. Usually, people in the group do not know each other and may feel uncomfortable. By someone telling a joke, the tension can be released. I remember being in a group and not knowing anyone. Suddenly, my cell phone goes off and it plays a funny ring tone. The next things I know, everyone is laughing at the ring tone. I know that the book says that humor is verbal, but I think it can be nonverbal as well.
Humor can also be nonverbal. The act of someone making a funny face can make someone smile, or even better laugh. If you’re in a group, and it seems that people aren’t cohesive, then implement the fish face. Simply squeeze the middle of your lips together with your fingers to form the face of a fish. This always work. Then have other members in the group try it, and this should ease the tension. Other forms of humor in nonverbal communication include other various funny faces, or perhaps someone stumbling while walking.
Humor is essential because it is easy to implement. Every culture in the world has a form of humor; it’s up to us to figure it out how to use it.