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Being too uptight and self-conscious are roadblocks to developing and communicating a natural sense of humor that is relatable to other people. Remember that laughter is contagious, so if you carry yourself in an open and humorous way people will be ready to laugh. To break the ice, you may follow the lead of others if you need to. Try smiling and laughing more. Everyone has opinions about life, and in many cases, opinions can be humorous to other people. People who are naturally funny are typically willing to find humor in both themselves and their opinions. If you are too uptight or self-conscious, it will be difficult to find humor in such things. Think about opening up to others by sharing an embarrassing story about yourself. Be cautious, however, as self-deprecating jokes could make you or others feel uncomfortable. Stick with something that is in good taste. Many comedians focus on the world around them to find comedic material. Others look to their past experiences, such as their childhood, or past relationships as a way to make people laugh. Try making a goal of noticing 5 funny things per day that happen to you. Through this technique, you will begin to see humor in mundane situations that everyone will appreciate. Try to find inspiration and material in the absurd and strange aspects of everyday life. What do you see strange in popular music, fashion, the holidays, and current events? We all have friends who are always good for a laugh. What is it that makes them funny? When you see them, pay careful attention to what makes them funny. Is it their tone of voice, body language, content, general demeanor, or something else that makes them naturally funny. Identifying what is that makes them funny will provide clues for how you can be naturally funny as well. Make a habit to spend more time around funny people, and offer to share a funny story or joke of your own. Different comedic styles appeal to different people. Some people enjoy sarcastic and witty comments, others are good with jokes, some like impressions, and others still enjoy funny actions. All of these are legitimate methods of being funny, but it is best to pick something that fits your personality to be naturally funny.  Anecdotal comedy refers to funny personal stories that may or may not be embellished. Dry humor is delivered with no expression and matter-of-fact, while the material itself is very funny. Hyperbolic comedy is characterized by massive exaggeration. Ironic comedy is when the meaning of the joke is the opposite of the actual meaning. Make it your goal to say or do something that makes someone laugh once a day. A good sense of humor does not emerge overnight, and professional comedians often spend years developing their unique style. By starting small, you will be on your way to being naturally funny in general conversation.  Do not be afraid to share something you think is funny. While others will not always understand your humor, you can use their reactions to help improve your style, content, and timing. Reflect on what makes you laugh. If you find something funny, share it with a friend who you think will find this funny as well. Share a funny episode from a movie, television show, book or comic strip.

summary: Start by loosening up! Get comfortable with yourself and your opinions about life. Look for humor in everyday events. Visit with a naturally funny friend or acquaintance. Research comedic styles. Practice being funny.


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Do this when you know you like someone to prevent competition down the line. If you keep your feelings to yourself, your friend may never know how you feel. If you don’t inform your friend how you feel, it’s unfair to be upset if they start to like your crush too. To eliminate complications and get to the point, simply ask your friend directly who they like. You can do this after you’ve noticed your friend’s flirty or suggestive behavior. Or, do this as you mention your crush to see how they respond. This way, you are both honest and open about your feelings.  For example, you can say something like, “I think I’m going to ask Heidi out to prom. Do you know who you’re asking yet?” For example, your friend may mention that they’ve thought about your crush romantically but haven’t pursued it, that they have no feelings or your crush, or that your crush has expressed interested in them. If your friend tells you that they like your crush, explain to them that you like them too. This situation may be a bit awkward and uncomfortable, but the best thing to do is to be truthful and direct about your feelings. For instance, tell your friend how long you’ve liked your crush and how strong your feelings are. They may back off if they are interested in other people. Once you disclose your feelings, your friend may let you go after your crush, or they may get upset and defensive. At this point, choose if it’s worth it to lose your best friend. If you value your friendship more than the potential with your crush, explain that to your friend and go from there. If you’d rather go after your crush, know that you and your best friend may not be friends any longer.

summary: Tell your friend who you’re crushing on when you develop feelings. Ask your friend who they're crushing on. Bring up your concerns with your friend. Decide whether your crush is worth losing a friendship over.


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As the old saying indicates, it will be more difficult to change the habits and behaviors of an older dog.  Let patience and persistence be your allies. There are commercial sprays available that will make your skin or clothes smell and taste unpleasant to your dog.  If your dog tends to bite your forearm, for instance, spray your shirt sleeve in that area while playing. You can also search for homemade versions of this deterrent. Beating your dog is never the best way to handle any situation, and in the case of biting only tends to instill fear, aggression, and an invitation for rougher play, all of which promote more biting.  Use the following negative association methods in combination with the “yelp and stop” methods. Spray your dog in the mouth with a peppermint breath spray (like Binaca) when she bites.  She will like neither the taste nor the sensation of the spray. All dogs are different, and training a puppy or older dog can be a frustrating and seemingly fruitless task.  There is no shame in seeking out help from trained and experienced professionals.  The ASPCA recommends that you seek out a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), a Veterinary Behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with demonstrated experience in dealing with dogs who bite.  Train your dog in your home as opposed to sending him away to a training school if possible.  Training is most effective when done in the familiar environment in which the trained behavior will be most commonly expected. Even the best-trained dog who has never shown a proclivity for biting can unexpectedly bite you, a family member, or a guest.  Pain, sometimes pain of which you may not be aware, can be one cause of unexpected biting behavior.  If there are behaviors, such as rough play or head-patting that can trigger a biting response from your dog, inform your family and guests to avoid doing so. Teach those around you to be aware of signs of an impending bite, by your dog or any others.  These include ears pinned back, fur standing up, body stiffening, widened eyes with a direct gaze, and showing of teeth that can look like a yawn.  Teach those around you how, in the worst case scenario, to respond to a threatening dog:  remain calm, be assertive but avoid eye contact, and if attacked, ball up and protect your face, throat, chest, and fingers (by making fists).
summary: Employ the puppy training methods outlined in Method 1, Steps 2-6. Use a taste deterrent. Punish judiciously. Seek professional assistance. Prepare just in case.