People think I'm funny.
And usually, it's flattering, and I enjoy being thought of as funny or witty, or engaging and charming. I'm convivial. I like people. I really enjoy buzzing around a party or a bar, knowing a lot of people, and that blur-like exchange where you're basically doing the "social waltz." While I wouldn't exactly describe myself as "friendly," I do get along well with others.
I like to mingle. And I like being thought of as "funny" in those scenarios. I also like to be thought of as "funny" in my writing. In fact, whenever I'm trying to be funny, which is a good percentage of the time, I enjoy the response.
And usually, I like those people that think I'm funny because 1) they get me and 2) they boost my ego.
And then there's that other group of people. It's the group of people that find me funny when I'm being funny, and particularly hilarious when I'm not trying to be. The group of people that become so obsessed with my "funny-ness" that they burst out laughing uncontrollably whenever I make a facial expression or say anything. They're the ones constantly exclaiming, "Oh, Superbee! You're SO FUNNY! HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
Fear not, readers, it's none of you, to whom I refer.
And after a while, I begin to resent this. A lot. It makes me short and bitchy, which garners even more, "Oh, SuperBee, you're HYSTERICAL!" Okay. Okay. I get it. You think I'm being funny. But I'm not. Believe it or not, I'm not always being "on," and right now I'm asking you where a file is, or I'm trying to give you instructions as to how to do something. So if you could please shut the fuck up and listen to me, that would be really great, thanks. If I were trying to be funny, I'd appreciate your effusive response, but right now, I have a TON of shit to do, and I'm not trying to entertain you, rather, to convey a point or accomplish a goal, and your titter-fest is 1) slowing me down and 2) by virtue thereof, pissing me off.
Also, after a while, the line between laughing "with" and laughing "at" begins to blur, in my mind anyway. Yeah, I'm an energetic guy. "Animated," as they describe my friend Spencer, and could probably describe me. We're little guys with big smiles and loud voices. People find us charming and people like us. I can't speak for Spencer, but when such accolades are constantly rained down upon me by this certain group of person that I leave in hysterics by, say, reviewing a document or describing a frustating experience, the accolates turn from flattering to condescending. It is at that point where I begin to feel like the unwilling jester.
And it's also at that point where I look at the person who is so thoroughly enjoying this interaction with me and I think, "You're an idiot. Compose yourself, and stop laughing at whatever I say or do." And it's also at this point where, I generally start to hate the person a little bit and avoid interacting with them, because they no longer feed my ego, but rather, they annoy the shit out of me.
I have no good ending to this post, but I just figured I'd put it out there. Remember, kids - it's one thing to be complimentary. But compliments, regardless of how sincere, can smack of derision when applied too liberally and with too much gusto.
