You Are Funnier Than You Think You Are
When People Don’t Get Your Jokes (And Why That’s Perfectly Fine
Ever laugh at a moment in a movie that’s supposed to be serious and feel like the only person who sees the humor in it? Or maybe you make a joke—something you think is spot-on—and everyone stares at you like you’ve just spoken another language. You know you’re funny; it’s just that people around you don’t always seem to get it.
Here’s the truth: You are funny. You are so fucking funny!
Whether your humor thrives in random moments, literal jokes, or things that others miss, you’re not wrong for laughing when others don’t. You’re just tuned into a different, sharper frequency. And the fact that not everyone’s laughing with you? That just makes your sense of humor more unique and more you.
Maybe you identify as autistic, maybe you don’t. Maybe you’re neurodivergent or just feel a bit different in social spaces.
Either way, your humor is real, it’s valid, and it deserves to be appreciated—even if it’s not always understood by everyone around you.
Why People Don’t Always Get Your Humor (And Why That’s Okay)
Humor is one of the most personal things out there. What makes one person laugh might completely miss for someone else, and that’s especially true when your sense of humor picks up on things that others aren’t even aware of.
You’re not following the standard setup-punchline formula, because you see the world in a way that’s beautifully different.
Here’s why people sometimes don’t catch on:
1. You’re Laughing at the Things No One Notices
You ever laugh at a moment in a movie that wasn’t supposed to be funny? You’re watching a serious scene, but all you can focus on is that weird pause, the over-the-top delivery, or the strange way a character is standing in the background. No one else seems to notice, but you do. It’s like there’s a whole second layer of humor happening, and you’re the only one tuned into it.
Example: There’s this emotional scene in a movie where the hero is crying in the rain, but the rain looks so fake you can’t help but laugh. Or maybe it’s the dramatic pause before a character shouts “Noooo!” and it’s so cheesy that it feels like a parody of itself. While everyone else is wrapped up in the emotion, you’re sitting there trying not to burst out laughing.
Current Example: TikTok videos that zoom in on awkward background moments, like a random person in the distance of a scene doing something weird, are going viral for a reason. They highlight the subtle things you already notice—the things no one else sees but make the whole scene funnier. You’re wired to pick up on these hidden gems.
2. Literal Jokes Hit Harder Than You Think
If you love literal humor, you know that sometimes people just miss the point because they’re expecting sarcasm or irony. But literal jokes—jokes that are funny because they say exactly what they mean—are so satisfying when you get them. The problem? Not everyone is wired to appreciate humor that’s so clever in its simplicity.
Example: You say, “Why don’t skeletons fight? Because they don’t have the guts.” You laugh because it’s the perfect literal punchline. But everyone else is waiting for some extra layer of meaning that just isn’t there. The joke is that it’s literal, and they’re overthinking it.
Current Example: Anti-jokes are having a moment online, especially on TikTok, where creators make jokes that are deliberately straightforward. Things like “Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side” hit differently when the punchline is exactly what it says. You’re already there, but others might need a moment to catch up.
3. You Find Humor in the Random, Unintentional Moments
You know those moments that make you laugh because they feel so out of place or unexpected? It’s not about some big punchline—it’s the random delivery, the awkward silence, or the thing no one else noticed that sets you off. That’s your superpower—finding humor in the small, subtle, and unintentional moments.
Example: You’re watching a heated argument in a movie, and in the background, a character fumbles with their coffee cup or looks confused for no reason. While everyone else is locked into the drama, you’re laughing at the unspoken weirdness in the background that’s unintentionally hilarious.
Current Example: Subtle humor is everywhere online right now—people making videos where the joke isn’t the main action but something happening quietly in the background. Someone walks into a door mid-conversation, or a random passerby does something bizarre during a “serious” video. That’s exactly the kind of thing you notice first, even when no one else does.
Why Your Humor is Perfect Just the Way It Is
You’ve probably had moments where you feel like you’re laughing at the “wrong” things. Maybe you’ve even held back because you didn’t want to seem out of place or make people uncomfortable.
But here’s the thing: you’re not wrong for finding humor in places others don’t. Your humor is perfect the way it is because it’s authentically yours. You don’t need to change it for anyone.
1. You’re Not “Off”—You’re Just Seeing What Others Miss
Humor isn’t about following a script. If you’re laughing at moments that others don’t find funny, it doesn’t mean you’re off—it means you’re seeing something they didn’t catch. You’re tuned into a layer of humor that’s more subtle, more intricate, and more personal. And that’s something to celebrate.
Example: If you laugh at a serious movie scene because the actor’s dramatic delivery feels like it belongs in a soap opera, you’re not wrong. You’re seeing the unintended comedy in something that’s taking itself way too seriously, and that’s hilarious in its own right.
2. The Internet Gets You
Here’s the best part: if people around you don’t laugh with you, the internet will. There are entire communities online that thrive on the same literal, random, and subtle humor you do. Whether it’s Reddit, TikTok, or Discord, you’ll find people who laugh at the same things—people who see the world the way you do.
Current Example: On TikTok, creators are blowing up by focusing on awkward, unintentional moments. Think of those videos where someone trips mid-serious conversation or accidentally says the wrong word and just rolls with it. The joke is in the subtle imperfection, and that’s what makes it so relatable.
Reddit: r/Unexpected or r/AutismMemes are full of people who appreciate humor that’s a little more niche. Whether it’s someone delivering a deadpan line in the background of chaos or a literal pun that hits at the right moment, these communities get you.
3. You Don’t Need to Explain Why It’s Funny
The most beautiful part of your humor? You don’t have to explain it. If you’re laughing at something that no one else finds funny, it’s not your job to walk them through why it’s hilarious. Humor is about what makes you laugh, and if you see something that cracks you up—even when others don’t—that’s what matters.
Them: “Wait, why is that funny?”
You: “Because it just is. Trust me.”
In Conclusion: You Are Funny (Even If They Don’t Get It Yet)
When people don’t laugh at your jokes or the moments that crack you up, it’s not because you’re wrong—it’s because you’re seeing humor in a more nuanced way. Whether you’re laughing at a random detail, a literal joke, or something happening in the background, your humor is sharp, unique, and valid.
There are plenty of people out there who get it—even if they’re not in the same room as you. The internet, and whole communities of people online, are right there with you, laughing at the same things that make you feel like the odd one out in real life.
So keep laughing, even when others don’t. You are funny—even if they don’t get it yet.