Knowing how to be witty doesn’t always come naturally, but you can master the art of charming people and learn how to win them over.
One of the most well-liked qualities about someone is how charming they are. Being able to produce quick, smart comebacks makes conversation fun. Leaving people craving to talk to you again after you’ve left is the goal. But learning how to be witty and interesting takes some practice.
I bet you can think of at least one person in your life who is witty. Do they have characteristics that make people drawn to them? More than likely, this person has many friends and is usually the life of the party.
[Read: How to be the life of the party – How to be noticed and loved by everyone]
Why we all want to be witty
When it comes to witty people, we want to be like them. Whether it’s because they draw in a crowd or because we find ourselves humored by their quick comebacks, it’s simply true.
We want to be witty because it is contagious. Being witty is like being a magnet. It draws people to you. You seem to enjoy life more with that bit of extra swag.
For this reason, we try and try to be witty, but some of us just fail miserably. It is something that many people are born with while others are stuck in their awkward ways. But that isn’t a life sentence. You can learn how to be witty. [Read: 101 savage comebacks you won’t want to forget]
How to be witty
If you’re like most people and find you want to be the type of person who everyone just seems to like, then you’ll want these tips on how to be witty so you can win over just about anyone.
1. Don’t try too hard
Witty people are categorized as so because they seem laidback and can summon fun banter at the drop of a hat. Want to know why? Because they don’t try too hard. They don’t have a list of funny sayings they rely on. It just happens.
Trying too hard is completely obvious to anyone with a brain. You’ll completely shatter the illusion of being clever. So just relax and be yourself. The wit will come. [Read: 18 ways to become more spontaneous in life]
2. Be creative
Witty people are some of the most creative people you’ll ever meet. They come up with cool comebacks quickly because they get creative with their responses. Be more creative, and you’ll find your wit will come out.
3. Think outside the box
Most witty people don’t have your standard, cliché comebacks when they’re conversing with someone. You have to think outside of the box to truly be witty. Make sure you come up with stuff the people you’re speaking with would never think of. Be original. [Read: How to never run out of things to say and banish the awkward silence]
4. Know who you’re talking to
Being witty and charming has a lot to do with being familiar with who you’re talking to. Tailor your comebacks depending on who you’re surrounded with. You don’t want to say something to offend someone.
Really taking the time to listen and getting to know people can help you use your newfound wit to your advantage.
5. Practice, practice, practice
To really be witty, you’ll have to take some time to practice. This means getting out and trying out your newly found wit on a number of different people and changing it depending on their reactions.
You can do this at work, with your in-laws, even with your own friends and family to see how it goes. Don’t just fly off the handle with all these charming quips. Ease into it, so it feels natural.[Read: 12 quick tips to add more people to your social circle]
6. Listen intently
The wittiest people are those who actually listen better than others. This not only allows them to understand the person they’re talking to, but it also gives them material to work with.
Being clever doesn’t mean you always have to be talking or be the center of attention. It means you know when the time is right to let out a funny joke or clever pun. [Read: The dry sense of humor – What it is and how to know if you’re really dry and funny]
7. Be confident
Haven’t you ever noticed witty people seem to hold themselves with so much confidence? That’s because they are some of the most confident people out there.
They are sure of themselves when they talk to people. This increases their ability to spurt out quick, witty responses with even the most controversial of topics. Have confidence in your comebacks. An insecure response will be seen as awkward.
8. Talk to EVERYONE
To become witty, talk to everyone at the party. Interacting with a larger number of different types of people sharpens your ability to respond based on the person and not just the context of the conversation.
Also, get to know more people. Include outsiders in your conversations. Really be open-minded. This all helps you have more to work with. [Read: 10 motivational tips for shy people and introverts]
9. Expand your vocabulary
How do you expect to be witty if you don’t have the ability to think up different words? Having a wider vocabulary gives you more to work with when you want to talk to people. You’ll be able to pull up just the right word to use in certain situations to stun whoever you’re with.
If you don’t want to go back to school, try getting a word-a-day calendar or an app to help you incorporate some new words into your daily conversations.
10. Expand your knowledge on different topics
Not only do you need to be more knowledgeable with your words, but you also have to be informed on a lot of different subjects.
You never know what you’ll end up talking to someone about, so it’s best to be as smart as you can be on a wide variety of subjects. Our advice is to subscribe to different newsletters online and stay up to date on the latest developments in the news. [Read: How to broaden your horizons and live life to the fullest]
11. Keep things short and sweet
If you’ve ever been around someone witty, they keep their comments short and to the point. This not only makes it easier for people to understand, but it also adds to your level of charm and charisma.
By being short, you don’t make people think too hard about what you just said, which leads to many awkward silences as people try to decipher what you meant. Your witty responses should be understood immediately.
You don’t want to make people feel stupid or act like you’re smarter than them. You should include everyone and respect them on the same level. That is what makes being witty so likable. [Read: Build your self-esteem: 35 funny things to tell yourself]
12. Be punny
Puns are a great way to begin your journey to being witty. They’re always funny—no matter how bad they are—and you’ll make people want to be around you the more you make them laugh.
Research some good puns to use at first, but you’ll soon learn to develop your own puns at a moment’s notice as you become wittier and win over everyone. [Read: How to make someone laugh over text and learn to be funny just by being YOU]
13. Think quick
You can’t be witty when your comeback arrives minutes after the topic has already been passed. You have to be quick on your feet and say the first witty thing that comes to your mind.
After all, the definition of witty is characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor. Thinking quick comes with practice, but after a while, you’ll be sputtering out witty comebacks in no time and winning over anyone. [Read: How to be charismatic and have a better dating life]
14. Put yourself in a position to be able to be witty
How will you ever be in a position to be witty if you never talk to anyone? Standing at the food table alone while everyone else converses isn’t going to make you witty.
Get yourself out there, and people will take notice. Allow yourself to let your wit shine through.
15. Watch a lot of movies
It may seem odd, but watching movies and TV gives you tons of examples of how to be witty.
Think about Chandler from Friends. Watch one season, and you’ve got a ton of material to work with. The more movies and TV you’ve seen, the more you’ve been exposed to and can use to your advantage. [Read: 30 films everyone should watch to hone their funny bone]
16. Name things
This seems silly, but it is a great way to pick up the pace of your thinking. Look around the room and name everything you see immediately. You should be able to name things in one second.
This doesn’t sound helpful, but practicing your timing and ability to speak up fast will help your wit come to light.
17. Be unexpected
Being witty isn’t about making jokes people expect to hear. You want to be unexpected. The best laughs are the ones where everyone is shocked and laughing until they cry. You don’t want an obvious giggle.
18. Rethink moments
Think back to moments where you wanted to be wittier but came up short. Maybe you thought of the perfect joke or comeback minutes too late. That’s okay. It’s practice. Use those thoughts and moments to help you moving forward. [Read: How to be less awkward and become a real social butterfly]
19. Try improv
If you are dead set on being witty, take an improv class. Coming up with clever and funny things at the drop of a hat is what improv is all about.
You want to catch people’s attention with unexpected things that make sense with what is already going on. Plus, these classes are just fun, to begin with.
20. Be obvious
Sometimes being witty is about mentioning the obvious. If you are all sitting around and it is quiet, just say, “Man, is it quiet or what?” This is simple, but it is a great way to start your journey to becoming wittier. [Read: How to be really funny and make people love your company]
21. Use sarcasm
Sarcasm is an amazing skill to have. It is easy too. Basically, say the opposite of what is happening or how you’re feeling.
If it is brutally hot out, say, “Man, I could really go for a hot chocolate right about now,” as you’re wiping sweat off your forehead. [Read: The best smart and sarcastic lines to keep people laughing]
22. Be true to your sense of humor
Do not try to get laughs. Changing what you find funny to fit what you think other people will laugh at will come off fake and insincere. Being witty is about being confident in your own sense of humor, so take that and go with it.
23. Don’t be rude
Never make jokes at someone else’s expense. A little light teasing about small things is okay, but don’t be rude. It isn’t funny. It will just make you look like a jerk, which is the last thing you want if you’re trying to be witty. [Read: 10 types of humor and how they affect relationships]
24. Help others feel at ease
Being witty and trying to get others to like you isn’t just about being funny or smart. You need to make them feel at ease. You want them to feel comfortable around you.
Don’t jump down their throats with jokes, especially at the wrong moments. Take your time and feel out the right moments to put them at ease.
25. Get off your phone
To be witty, you need to be present. Paying attention is key. Get off your phone. Look up and listen. Being glued to your phone hoping to find a funny meme to show around just won’t cut it.
[Read: Care less: Stop giving a damn about what people think]
Put yourself out there and have meaningful conversations with others to truly be witty. Put yourself in different environments to foster a witty sense of humor. You’ll learn how to be witty in no time.