| Everyone loves a good joke...don't they?
A birthday joke may seem the best solution to the cost
vs. care dilemma. I care but I can't buy every one at work, at school etc a $20
gift.
And that is a perfectly brilliant response.
A few words about Birthday Jokes.
Appropriateness
Must put some thought into it even if you know the person well. Jokes can
escalate and how others view what you do may have an impact on the Joke
Receiver. And the joke giver.
Sincerity
The joke cannot backfire! If it does and you can not control the outcome then
you are at risk of delivering a different message than You Care. Include other
aspects that may help convey the sentiments you are trying to express. Make
sure the joke is relevant.
Use by Date
Something that is a hoot to you might not be to others. Try and be current. The
banana peel joke worked well in the 1930's but in the 21st century slapstick is sooooo dated.
Don't let your birthday joke fall flat.
Plan B
Have one in case the joke is stymied or backfires.
Pick your Moment
You must consider the timing of the joke and the time and place you
do it.
Ideas...
Ok, enough of the considerations, let's look at
some ideas...
A quick raid if the
Birthday Idea Generator and we're looking good.
For some inspiration and a dash of style, try some of these for a laugh.
Wrapped up in a Card
Compose a verse or write a joke in the
card. They expect the card but they may not expect the birthday joke. Surprise!
And it's your present!
In the words of a song
Use the words or even play the song. For
the adventurous -- sing it! Or get a chorus line of pals to do it.
Practical Joke
Must know the person well enough to have an
idea of how they would respond. remember safety first and keep the embarrassment
factor low if in public.
Go E-carding
Get online to the 1000s of Ecard
distributors on the web. Easy to do and some have great tricks and features.
In a fortune cake
Forget the cookies -- this is a Birthday.
Put the joke in a cake! It can be a serious verse or something lighter. There
might even be a special way they have to find it -- hands tied and face first!
You get the idea?
An ad in the paper
An oldie but a goldie. Maybe a classified
falsely stating he his selling his car very cheaply if the caller says the words
Happy Birthday Sh-moopie. "Hello, can I speak to...." Ok? Get it?
Personal column adverts
Take out a personal ad, spice it up and let
the fun begin. Keep it sensible and avoid malicious content. Having 15 people
call him and leave messages all day will be enough.
SMS Overload
Find someone with an SMS send program on their PC and send out some messages.
Set them up to run automatically and let the fun begin. Getting your mates to
all do it throughout the day is
Message Pixt Me
Get all your pals to send picture messages
all day. Could be "How I spent Your Birthday" -- send them exciting bits of the
day, cool locations and then meet them later on the wrap about it all. Great if
they are working and you're not. Even better if no one mentions their birthday!!
Then have a laugh at the end of the day together.
Public Stocks (ala the middle ages) Ritual Humiliation
Takes a bit of doing and some preparation.
Instead of throwing fruit, use shaving cream or real cream! Variations include
tying to a pole. gate or piece of heavy machinery when not in use.
Whoopee Cushions
If you've never tried one -- do it!! Just
make sure it's not on the boss or Great Aunt Liz. Test it first. They are
notorious for failing at the crucial moment.
Best BIRTHDAY SUGGESTION:
Different Jokes for different Folks.
For a well received birthday joke: Do your research
and have a back up plan.
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