I love YouTube (the pet stuff can be hysterical...) but this one was very, very good.

Interesting stuff about gender/humor -- hadn't thought about it, but you're right.

Sam

I shouldn't be surprised at those research findings, but I am a little, probably because there's a lot about me that's more typically male than typically female, and I rate very highly any guy who gets my sense of humor and laughs at my jokes.

The findings sound like more of the traditional role thing--our culture expecting men to be the "givers" (of humor in this case) and women the "recievers."

I honestly bet any male thinking they're looking at a humor "reciever" rather than a "giver" is more about perception than anything. Funny women are percieved at least in a stereotypical sense as being less sexy than a woman laughing at a guy's jokes. But that's just gender bias. When it comes down to it, who doesn't want to feel good and laugh? I've been with some guys who've gotten my sense of humor, and they ranked it as being one of the things they liked best about me.

That dick in a box song is stuck in my head now! After I finished laughing at it, I had to watch it again, and again...and unfortunately it's kind of a catchy song. :-P

A friend of mine had sent me this video awhile back and I laughed so hard. I've got to tell you all that this is a video that you won't forget though. The minute I saw the link for it, I instantly made the connection and started to sing. And yes, my mind got the vivid picture of the boxes. It is very interesting that a man wants a women to laugh at their jokes. Have they heard themselves? Okay, now in defense of men--I've probably just had rotten luck with the men who have told me jokes. Most of my experience has been from my brothers or out of the mouths of intoxicated ones. I'm sorry, but any farting joke is not my idea of a man being funny. Nor, is burping the alphabet, even though I admit to doing it. Dawn

Hi, Sarah -- I agree laughter is a necessary element in a loving relationship. Early in my relationship with the hero who's now my husband, I was misdiagnosed with cancer. While hubby's an Alpha male, he definitely isn't afraid to let his compassionate side show. For a couple weeks during my traumatic period of waiting and wondering, he spent every evening with me, watching chick flicks and romantic comedies with and making me laugh with stories from the days of his road trips with the basketball team. But the laughs and smiles we shared didn't end when an oncologist confirmed I didn't have cancer. We've been together almost thirteen years (over ten of those as husband and wife). Not a day passes when we don't find humor in something or spur some laughs on our own. Laughter helped pull me through and make me realize I'd found the man I truly loved. Life is too serious. Lighten up. Love with every breath in your body and every beat of your heart. Flex those facial muscles and smile for a while! Smiles across the miles, Shawna Moore

Hi Sarah, I thought about putting here how I feel about men and women and a sense of humor. I decided before I write my take on this, that I'd ask some friends what they thought. First I asked my sons and their friends what they looked for in a girl. This is from 17 to 21 year olds. They said that first thing they look for is a girl with a hot body and believe it or not number 2 was a sense of humor. They not only want a girl to laugh at their jokes but, want a girl who can make them laugh also. They all still laugh at the night I passed gas and made the floor vibrate. (Don't ask). I'm now the most popular mom with my sons friends. The next group of friends I asked were my male friends in the 30 plus age group. They said first a sense of humor. Someone who could make them laugh when they were feeling stressed or feeling down. They also wanted a woman who would laugh at their jokes. The number 2 thing was a sensitive woman who wasn't afraid to show her feelings. Aparently men need hugs just as much as women do. The next group of friends I asked were my sons female friends (same age group) They said that they look for a guy who puts them first. Then they want a guy who is affectionate. Last on the list was a sense of humor. Next comes my adult female friends. Most want an affectionate man but some wanted a man who can laugh at himself. They said that a sense of humor is important but not at the top of their list. The number one complaint was that men don't really listen to women. As for me, I want a man who can laugh at himself, be very affectionate and know when to shut up and when to talk. A sense of humor is important but, sometimes I just want a man to really listen to what I have to say. Manners are also very inportant to me. When you think about it, humor was on everyones list but not always at the top. I guess it basically just depends on the person. Everyone is different and has their own opinion. By the way, I'm going to bed tonight with that Dick in a Box song in my head. It sure beats the Hamster Dance song that my oldest son put in my head 2 summers ago. It took me weeks to get that one out of my head. Mads:)

I'll be the first to admit I don't "get" The Three Stooges, nor do I understand why men find them so funny (but I adore The Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy). Not long ago, my husband and I hit a bad patch. Nothing horrendous but one of those things that take a day or two to get over. You know the kind where you're not even really sure what brought it on? But one day he said something funny and I started laughing. It wasn't even addressed to me but it still made me laugh and I told him later that one of the things I love about him is that he can make me laugh. There's an old saying: Happiness makes up in Height what it lacks in breadth. Finding someone that can make you laugh goes a looong way to making the rest of life sweeter. And, yes, he laughs at my jokes too. I don't tell many but when I do, he's the most appreciative. ani