2 Comments

Wow and fascinating! Have never seen a breakdown of crowd behavior like this before. So interesting to think about how these different styles have evolved (for the better on every one I hope) through the years. And good fodder for conversations with others moving forward...

The laughing one I’ll probably always struggle with a little bit. Unless something is super-weird or off-color, sometimes I’ll at least smile. It’s largely my “taking care of others” issue around which I’m SO much better in my middle years. Being a part of others’ laughter and amusement is one of my favorite things, and I’m okay with a soft smile or slight chuckle, but no longer exaggerate my response around something I don’t find funny or that funny. And not sure it’s even one I want to progress on that much...(something to think about more, though, for sure!).

I’m curious about any reasons where one might not still offer a “kind” smile or chuckle? Other than needing to be curious about what they said or dissent with what they said...

Expand full comment
author

Thanks. I’m a bit obsessed with person-situation contingencies right now. I can think of lots of situations where we don’t smile simply because it’s not funny and crowd be damned. This just happened to me multiple times at a comedy club on Friday. There was often appreciation but without a compulsion to smile or laugh. Or just individual differences in humor. Cool to watch.

Expand full comment