Musings on the Womanly Sense of Humor

Are you aware that, according to several studies, women workers are often "better equipped" to defuse potentially violent situations in the workplace?

No one knows exactly why this is so, but several authors suggest that perhaps it is that women's smaller size and softer voices make them seem less threatening, thus allowing the level of anxiety to decrease and de-escalating the situation.

We've occasionally observed situations where a "womanly sense of humor" proved invaluable in turning a dangerous situation around.

Those who study gender differences in communication note that women are much less likely to rely on a sense of superiority in their humor than men. Women's jokes are less likely to hinge on the teller's being in a 'one-up' position (ethnic, mother-in-law or dumb blond jokes, for example). They are more likely to focus on some aspect of the universal human condition as a source of amusement.

Sometimes the humor of women is earthy. . . a commentary about human nature, our appetites, vanities, and failings. When laughing about the indignities women go through biologically, we can be quite bawdy. The goddesses gave women a special gift . . . the irreverent, unique, and sacred gift of humor.

Some Examples of Women's Humor

Messages from Flight Attendants

"Our seat belts work just like every other seat belt, and if you don't know how to operate one, you shouldn't be out in public unsupervised.

In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, margarine cups will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask and pull it over your face.

If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one small child . . . pick your favorite."

"Last one off the plane has to clean it!"

"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."

"Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Pleace place the bag over your own mouth and nose before assisting children or other adults who are acting like children."

Most Men Just Don't 'Get' This One!

A woman and her daughter spent the day shopping together for the perfect dress for her to wear as mother-of-the bride at the daughter's wedding next month. They had wonderful luck and emerged from the day ecstatic over the purchase, having found "the perfect dress".

The next weekend the daughter visited her dad and the woman he was dating (who was, of course, considerably younger than her mother). She was appalled when her father's girlfriend showed her the dress she was planning to wear to the wedding. It was identical to the one they had just bought for her mother!

The daughter tells the girlfriend what has happened and asks her to return it to the store and choose something else. "I certainly will NOT", the girlfriend replied, "I look absolutely stunning in this dress...it shows off my fabulous figure and the color accentuates my suntan perfectly. No way am I taking it back!"

Heartsick, the daughter broke the bad news to her mother, who responded, "No problem, honey, I'll wear something else. This will be the most special day of your life, and I want it to be absolutely perfect for you."

"Mom, you're the greatest . . . so understanding and supportive. I sure hope you don't have any trouble getting a refund on the dress."

"Oh, I'm not returning the dress", the mother answered. "I'll just wear it to the rehearsal dinner!"

You Can't Fool Mother Nature

Brian Hester invited his mother over for dinner at his new apartment. During the course of the meal, Brian's mother couldn't help but keep noticing how beautiful Brian's roommate, Stephanie, was. Mrs. Hester had long been suspicious about the nature of the relationship between Brian and Stephanie, and this had only made her more curious.

Over the course of the evening, while watching the two react, Mrs. Hester started to wonder if there was more between Brian and Stephanie, more than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, Brian volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you Stephanie and I are just roommates."

About a week later, Stephanie came to Brian saying, "Ever since
your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find my beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose she took it, do you?"

Brian said, "Well, I doubt it, but I'll send her an e-mail just to be
sure." So he sat down and wrote: Dear Mother, I'm not saying that you
"did" take the gravy ladle from the house, I'm not saying that you "did not" take the gravy ladle. But the fact remains that one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.

Love, Brian

Several days later, Brian received a letter from his mother that read: Dear Son, I'm not saying that you "do" sleep with Stephanie, and I'm not saying that you "do not" sleep with Stephanie. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the gravy ladle by now.

Love, Mom

MORAL OF THE STORY: You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can NEVER fool your mother!

Some Girls Have All The Luck

This is a singles ad that appeared in a local paper:

"SBF( single, black, female) Seeks Male companionship. Age and ethnicity unimportant. I'm a young, svelte, good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting/camping/fishing trips. I love cozy winter nights spent lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I'm yours."

Call 555-2525 and ask for Daisy.

The phone number was that of the Humane Society, and Daisy was an eight
week old black Labrador retriever. They received 643 calls in two days.

More Humor, By or About Women and Their Wisdom

Chocolate, The Ambrosia of the Goddesses. Finally !!! A weight loss plan we all can live with!

Goddess Gab. Clever and insightful comments from famous (and not-so) women.

Three Proofs. You may not hold the reins of power, but you are still Divine.

The Deity Purchase Questionnaire. Fed up with all those post-purchase surveys that come in the mail? You'll chuckle when you complete this one.

Cars & Computers. Like Men... You Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Live Without 'Em.

Mamma Could Have Averted War. Why the U.N.'s inspection teams failed in Iraq.

Good Time Girl. An update on that "Old Time Religion".

Maxine Meets Martha. An update on that "Old Time Religion".