If someone has a sense of humor does it mean they have comedic ablility or that they are easily amused by the comedic ability of others? Psychology Today magazine in a 2001 article on humor defined it as the former. I can’t believe this is correct. Job vacancy advertisements, for instance, often require applicants to have a sense of humor along with work-related skills. Does that mean only Comedy Central graduates need apply? For clerical work? As receptionists? They want Seinfeld quality mechanics?
There are problems with the other definition too. Obviously Eminem and Osama Bin Laden have different views on what is funny and what isn’t. An employee who was required to be easily amused and light hearted by their boss might find it difficult if their beliefs clashed at all.
IMHO, I’d say it was a mix of Definition One, Definition Two, with a little touch of optimistic ability to bounce back from stressful situations and people with that all-important smile and good attitude.
Tricky business, that “sense of humour” in employment terms. Too much of the “jolly japes” stuff, and you’re too weird to employ. Too little, and you’re a pessimistic burden.
If you are able to laugh, when chance, or casual conversation reveals to the world the foibles you possess, at times unfortunate for your pride, that is having a sense of humor. It will give to others permission to laugh, and to you as well.
Tris
“It was a woman drove me to drink and I didn’t even have the decency to thank her.” ~ W.C. Fields ~
There is no hard-and-fast definition of what is ‘funny’ or ‘humorous’. It’s a relative judgement, like ‘beauty’. As such, it’s generally a very subjective matter. If you think something’s very funny and I don’t, you may take the view that I lack a sense of humour. Of course, I may be thinking exactly the same about you!
However, in very general terms, in any given society or culture, some kind of consensus emerges as to when it’s appropriate to take something seriously and literally, and what it’s appropriate to view it in a light-hearted way. When people say they are looking for a sense of humour, they are looking for this ability to see the difference, broadly in line with the prevailing conventions in your society.
If you go up to a cow-orker (sic) and say ‘You know, given the kind of day I’m having, I think you should just be a good friend, pull a gun and shoot me now’, it’s really helpful if the other person has a sense of humour. And it makes less mess on the carpet.
When a potential employer says s/he wants you to have a sense of humor, I think what s/he means is "everything in this office does not necessarily go along according to plan - you need to be able to roll with it, not stomp and yell and scream ‘but that’s NOT THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE!’ "
I chose to quote this because it is representative of all the other answers. Everyone here sees a sense of humor as the ability to share a point of view rather than construct a point of view. Is that right? I wish I could reference the Psychology Today article and its alternative meaning but it’s not on-line. Ianzin’s definition is about co-operation isn’t it? It’s about adopting a philosophical and reasoned attitude rather than getting a punchline. Employment ads should specify those things then. There’s something a little sinister about the powerful requiring the less powerful to have a sense of humor. It’s such a subjective thing.
Alternatively, the type of humor required should be specified. Like this:
Wanted: a employee with a 15th century Middle Eastern perspective on life. Or, Wanted: Employee with late 1980s Al Bundy attitude.
Knock knock
Who’s there?
The interrupting cow
The interrupting c
MOOOO!
If you laughed at this, you have a sense of humor.
If not, you are a miserable,disgusting loser who isn’t worthy of living in our fine, funny country, and you should be deported.
Quite simple, really…
See