The next anecdote is a genuine conversation between two strangers and myself. It illustrates both Real / Fictional and the second humor gauge type, Spontaneous / Prepared.

One of Two: Hey, are you in line?
Myself: No, go ahead. Wait, is this a line for FOOD?!

At this point, I briefly motioned to cut back in line, which extends and emphasizes the humor in the spoken statement. Then I quickly pulled back, signaling further my intent to create humor. Humor context disposition elements like gestures and movement are hard to translate into written or spoken forms. Had this story been presented as fictional, you’d be less disposed to imagine these kinds of details and the resulting humor experience would be slightly less intense. When presented as real (which it was), it’s easier for readers to subconsciously conjure up the details that make the perception of humor stronger.

Like real humor events, spontaneous expressions of humor tend to result in stronger resonance and stronger dynamic clash as compared to prepared. The line, “Wait, is this a line for FOOD?!” was invented on the spot. Genuine spontaneity is surprising and unexpected, which can add an extra layer of sharp relief between sense and nonsense.

Spontaneous humor also has a higher risk of falling flat or being inadvertently offensive. True spontaneous humor can’t hope to match the overall quality levels achievable by fully prepared examples.

Like all humor gauge evaluations, the spontaneous / prepared distinction is typically not a either-or. Observers will judge most any humor example as some combination of the two. All prepared humor begins as the spark of something new, and great spontaneous humor flows from practice and purposeful preparation.

Return to Humor Gauges

Return to the first Humor Gauge REAL / FICTIONAL

Continue to the third Humor Gauge Temporary / Permanent