The Art of Witty Banter
To be honest, I’m not very funny (although I always smile when I talk). But I remember the glory days when I was a bit more witty. So my observations and experiences have helped me develop
The 10 Rules to the Art of Witty Banter.
(1) Time it appropriately: many a joke hath gone awry with the ill-tempered comment.
(2) Gauge the audience: Levels of maturity, intelligence, and bantering skill warn of recourse.
(3) Think before you banter: a finely crafted comment is worth a score of coarse ones.
(4) Prepare for the worst: you might be accompanying the next god of banter. Don’t get them started.
(5) Realize the situation: understand that you are ridiculing someone, although thats the point!
(6) Reach for the goal: Your comments should be such that at the opponent’s last breath, you remark, “Touche…”
(7) Know your limits: concessions are a laughing matter, and a matter for laughter at that.
(8) Hone your skills: sublte nuances will be clairvoyant and your comments will be sharp and sweet.
(9) Listen: observation begets understanding, understanding begets power, power begets glory.
(10) Abide by the “Hit or Miss Principle”: more to come on this later…