Do Men Dislike Wit in a Woman?

[Norsemaiden]

Apparently most men like women to laugh at their jokes but not to be funny themselves. This seems to be because men use humour to impress women and feel competitive about this skill. Perhaps if the woman seems to be "better" at it, then he feels inadequate. But not all men are like that. There are some who would choose a funny woman over a non-witty one, if neither was otherwise any better in other respects. Thoughts?

[Nele]

I think most men like wit only in women who are not their girlfriends. That seems to be the case with many of my friends. I don't get it though. Many men seem to be attracted to a certain women because they're funny, but when they start a relationship, it's as if they suddenly don't like the wit anymore.

[Norsemaiden]

Originally Posted by Nele

I think most men like wit only in women who are not their girlfriends. That seems to be the case with many of my friends. I don't get it though. Many men seem to be attracted to a certain women because they're funny, but when they start a relationship, it's as if they suddenly don't like the wit anymore.

Do you think it's at all comparable to, say, if a man is attracted to a woman because she wears clothes that display her assets, but once they start a relationship, they'd prefer her to cover up more in public? (However, that would mean that they still enjoy it in a more private situation.)

[Nele]

Originally Posted by Norsemaiden

Do you think it's at all comparable to, say, if a man is attracted to a woman because she wears clothes that display her assets, but once they start a relationship, they'd prefer her to cover up more in public? (However, that would mean that they still enjoy it in a more private situation.)

Probably, yes.. I've never looked at it that way. Men probably don't like their lifepartners to get too much attention from the opposite sex.

I still wonder how wit in a woman is appreciated in her professional life? Since I'm only a student, I've got no experience in that area... (Well, I do work in a restaurant, but there in a way I'm payed for being funny and having clever light conversations with the customers. So I guess my boss doesn't have a problem with witty women )

[derek]

Wit is fine, either before a relationship situation or during. Revealing clothes are a suitable analogy, and again the same answer applies.

I can only speak for myself, of course, but it's not really much of a problem to my mind. Depends on the psychology of the participating male, but I suppose what you've said applies aptly to the "normal" western man.

[speed]

I love wit in women. I love laughter and sillyness in women too. Honestly, I dont care for women who are not funny or witty.

[JoeVice]

i think laughing is the more "receptive" side of humor. personally, i enjoy a woman who seems to not laugh at the joke, but laughs at me for being such an idiot. to me, thats a female-appropriate role for displaying wit.

it seems to me there is a flat out black and white difference between a real humor, and "staged" humor. there is no criteria, its just a vibe. when two people fail to be funny or interesting, they are usually in staged humor mode. unfortunately, some people get stuck and stay there for most of their life, regardless of gender.

and the competitive part, yes. i feel that, and its frustrating, especially when there is no doubt that i'm the little dog in a situation. but, you see, thats the female's fault for co-perceiving the situation that way. my competition (also a male) notices this too, and together we rise above the female. females pretend to do the same, but they seem to take it a bit more "seriously".

[forbidden fruit]

DISLCLAIMER: Purely based on experience & those I've come into contact with... blah blah blah.. don't shoot!

I know plenty of girls with razor sharp & very clever wit & can be very funny, but struggle with the absurd & ridiculous side of humour that I, & most guys I know, find MOST funny.
Women seem to find this form of humour funny too, but just don't seem to be able to pull it off themselves.

[JoeVice]

thats because they're laughing at you, not with you.

[WeAreTheLastMen]

Originally Posted by Norsemaiden

Apparently most men like women to laugh at their jokes but not to be funny themselves. This seems to be because men use humour to impress women and feel competitive about this skill. Perhaps if the woman seems to be "better" at it, then he feels inadequate. But not all men are like that. There are some who would choose a funny woman over a non-witty one, if neither was otherwise any better in other respects. Thoughts?

Yeah. What the fuck are you talking about? That's a ridiculous contention. What, if anything, is this based on?
Most people I know like witty women as much as they do witty men. I don't know anyone who thinks women shouldn't be witty. I mean, they've already got the vote, and they're wearing pants. I you don't think women have the right to wit, it's Armageddon out there.
And actually, most guys I know tend to think it's sexy. Especially if the woman is some how "batter at it" (wittier, I guess you mean). A lot of people are really turned on by that (assuming it's not done playfully and not in an abrasive or spiteful way).

[Rintrah]

Originally Posted by Norsemaiden

Apparently most men like women to laugh at their jokes but not to be funny themselves. This seems to be because men use humour to impress women and feel competitive about this skill. Perhaps if the woman seems to be "better" at it, then he feels inadequate. But not all men are like that. There are some who would choose a funny woman over a non-witty one, if neither was otherwise any better in other respects. Thoughts?

I guess. Most men are morons. Most women are morons too, just in different ways.