Tommy Collison

Yes, very odd and incredibly out of character post, but whatchagonnado.

I’m in Hungary this week, you may have noticed/heard. I met a Hungarian women who’d married a Scottish man who owns a Scottish pub here. Because she learnt English in Scotland, she has a rather heavy accent.

Hearing her speak was a rather funny occasion, simply because of the absurdity of the situation. I felt it unwise to laugh but boy was it difficult.

For those who’ve been in a similar position; I hear ya, and this is for you.

Tommy’s Top 5 methods for not laughing at inappropriate moments

1. Induce physical pain

Bite your lip. Grind a piece of your cheek between your molars. If anything squashes the urge to LOL quickly, it’s physical pain. That sounds so masochistic, but it’s all in the interest of remaining PC, I assure you.

2. Empty your lungs of air

If you’ve no breath, there’s nothing to fuel the lulz! :)

3. Use reverse psychology

By telling yourself something like: “This is funny! Laugh some more!” you end up finding that it was never that funny anyway.

Photo owned by Lucy Boynton (cc)

3.5. Get back in control

With point 3, the problem with uncontrollable is the fact that it’s just that: uncontrollable. If you choose to laugh, you can then stop it.

4. Recite

Throughout 15 years, I’ve been able to recite, word for word, curtain to curtain, 3 stage shows. When I’m bored, I’ll often begin one and see how far I get through it. It works wonders in waiting rooms and such. It also works while you have a fit of giggles – you can’t murmur ‘we begin on Christmas Eve…‘ while laughing, or even ‘I really don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about...

Recognize those shows? Mini competition in the comments, first correct comment wins a prize!*

5. When all else fails…

Claim a neurological impairment.

*Prize not included