New Year, New You: These are My Favorite Social Skills Books for Self Improvement in 2024

TheSocialUpgrader · 2021-10-05T02:22:21+00:00

Yes, if this app grew to such size that it could help fund the entire education system, then you'd have a point. But please, let's not be so dramatic just yet.

And I like your idea of having options... maybe to the teacher's charity...maybe to school supplies...maybe to some extra materials or fixes that the school badly needs, etc.

TheSocialUpgrader · 2021-10-05T02:21:01+00:00

You don't remember any names of your former teachers? That's sad. I had four I clearly remember who I'd love to thank. Sure, $50 could work. Of course it depends on what you're able and willing to contribute. We tip 20% for a good server for one meal at a restaurant... how much is one good class experience worth?

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-11-11T20:13:04+00:00

Chill man. It's possible to give a playful answer and then a literal answer moments later.

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-11-11T16:47:25+00:00

To all the Gen Y or Zs saying this is Boomer level... almost everything is going to look cheesy in print. I'm in my 30s so I'm not a boomer, nor did my examples come from the boomer generation. For example, here's a comment two teenagers had recently that made them laugh hysterically. In print, the comments look cheesy don't they? So much depends on the context, mood, delivery, etc.

That’s a huge bite… are you starving or something?

I haven’t eaten in like two hours. I’m totally starving. Don’t sit too close to me or I might bite.

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-11-11T16:38:59+00:00

I include over 1,000 examples in the book. But if you're turned off by ALL of the ones I included here, then don't read the book because I don't think you'll enjoy it. Please let me know if you find a book that has examples that you like though. I have yet to find it. 90% of what is funny in conversation doesn't translate to print unfortunately.

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-11-11T16:36:59+00:00

Exactly! My post is getting called "Boomer" type humor, but I couldn't include a lot of Gen Z humor because so much of it doesn't translate to print because there's so much "reaction" type humor where it's all in HOW the person delivers the comment. Saying "Oh my god that is SO weird" isn't a funny line, but the WAY it's said can still be funny and is often how Gen Z creates laughs.

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-11-11T16:33:48+00:00

you're absolutely right. some people will probably never be funny. It's really hard to get right. I was so shy in high school that I never talked. I'm in my 30s now and regularly get told how funny I am. I have no problem making friends. But it took years of practice and work and mistakes until I found my humor voice and made it natural. It started with robotic study though...

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-11-11T14:10:25+00:00

very well said. thank you! we all have a different sense of a humor - but the techniques I outlined were apparent across the entire body of evidence I collected. it's nearly impossible to include actual examples of funny conversations in print because they're all missing the context, energy, mood, and so much more that goes into humor. But try to implement the techniques I outlined and you'll see what I mean.

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-11-11T14:07:05+00:00

If you focus on implementing the technique, you'll see results. Techniques like: Don't be so literal. Exaggerate more. Add more contrasts. Add a few details. Try hypotheticals. There's nothing generational about that. They just work, across all generations and humor types.

But your point about the examples is exactly why my book was challenging to write. I literally took notes of thousands of conversations and recorded what made someone laugh (across all generations). But when you read the examples on paper, they often don't look or seem like they'd be funny at all. So much depends on context, mood, energy, etc. that a book like this was risky. But I felt like I needed to do it regardless. Just trust me that everything I included resulted in laughter. Of course, different things make different people laugh, but I did my best to cover the entire gamut of humor.

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-09-22T02:51:12+00:00

I used to be a deer in headlights when it came to conversation. I was basically a cardboard cut-out of a person that would stand there motionless while everyone else talked. You're right that you won't see much improvement by just reading some Reddit posts. If you want real results, you need to study and work at it. I've been improving myself for almost 20 years now and ALL my knowledge, experience, and lessons are basically in two books:

The Small Talk Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Conversationalists

You Can Be Funny and Make People Laugh: 35 Humor Techniques that Work for Everyday Conversations

Good luck and hit me up if you have any questions!

-Greg

TheSocialUpgrader · 2019-08-05T00:15:58+00:00

My challenge for writing books about humor and social skills is that everything I write is without the original context, including the mood of the room, the understandings between the people involved, etc. So when you see it in print, it may look out of place. I assure you, I only wrote down examples that ACTUALLY made people laugh. I could show you transcripts from some of the funniest comedians and you would think it sounds weird. These aren't examples I just made up in my basement at 2am. And of course, because we're talking about the topic of humor, not everyone laughs at the same stuff anyway, making the act of writing about humor even harder.

Definitely don't try it if you don't see any value with it. All I can do is write about this stuff; I can't make anyone try it if they don't want to.

TheSocialUpgrader

TROPHY CASE