--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the first things every press…" description: "\"One of the first things every press secretary assures you is, the boss has a wonderful sense of humor, because not to have a sense of humor is consider..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/mark-shields-1572_boss_one-of-the-first-things-every-press-secr_1588200.png" --- # One of the first things every press secretary assures you… ![“One of the first things every press secretary assures you is, the boss has a wonderful sense of humor, because not to have a sense of humor is considered flagrantly un-American.” quote by Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/mark-shields-1572_boss_one-of-the-first-things-every-press-secr_1588200.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/mark-shields-1572_boss_one-of-the-first-things-every-press-secr_1588200.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/mark-shields-1572_boss_one-of-the-first-things-every-press-secr_1588200.png) > “One of the first things every press secretary assures you is, the boss has a wonderful sense of humor, because not to have a sense of humor is considered flagrantly un-American.” [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Press secretaries claim humor in leaders to avoid being labeled un‑American, highlighting political image‑craft. **In simple terms:** Humor is used to protect political image. Key Takeaway Be aware of political spin. Themes politics image humor Mood skeptical observant Type political media When to use this quote - campaigns - press briefings - public relations Key Concepts media strategy public perception Questions to Reflect On - Why is humor linked to patriotism? - How does this affect public trust? A Different Perspective Humor may be a superficial cover for deeper issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boss/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [First things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-things/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Sense of humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-humor/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) ## Related quotes > [I remember reading in a comedy book very long ago when I first started, a person said there's a difference between a sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-vaughn/i-remember-reading-in-a-comedy-book-very-long-ago-when-i-first/) [Baron Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-vaughn/) > [What's the trick? There are three of them: A sense of real purpose, a sense of humor, and a sense of constant curiosity. Keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carpenter/what-s-the-trick-there-are-three-of-them-a-sense-of-real-purpose-a/) [Liz Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carpenter/) > [“Josh said, “Well, a good sense of humor would be nice. And a willingness to, you know, try different things.” “So, what, a sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/josh-said-well-a-good-sense-of-humor-would-be-nice-and-a-willingness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not 17 anymore. I still have some of the same sort of anger, but I have a sense of humor about it... a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pirner/i-m-not-17-anymore-i-still-have-some-of-the-same-sort-of-anger-but-i/) [Dave Pirner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pirner/) > [“. . . a sense of humor is a sense of proportion. It is also a sense of delight--delight in noting life has its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-sense-of-humor-is-a-sense-of-proportion-it-is-also-a-sense-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-morley/humor-is-perhaps-a-sense-of-intellectual-perspective-an-awareness/) [Christopher Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-morley/) > [“If a person leads an ‘active’ life, as Wiggs had, if a person has goals, ideals, a cause to fight for, then that person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/if-a-person-leads-an-active-life-as-wiggs-had-if-a-person-has-goals/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“If you have no sense of humor, You have no sense at all..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himmilicious/if-you-have-no-sense-of-humor-you-have-no-sense-at-all/) Himmilicious > [Tantra is only recommended for someone who has a very developed will power, a terrific sense of humor, and a sense that nothing else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/tantra-is-only-recommended-for-someone-who-has-a-very-developed-will/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [There's a difference between a sense of humor and a sense of funny. A sense of humor is knowing what makes you laugh and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-vaughn/there-s-a-difference-between-a-sense-of-humor-and-a-sense-of-funny-a/) [Baron Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-vaughn/) > [I sense a humor. I sense a wise fact. I sense the humorous to be a wise choice of the fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-sense-a-humor-i-sense-a-wise-fact-i-sense-the-humorous-to-be-a-wise/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I sometimes think that the saving grace of America lies in the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-delano-roosevelt/i-sometimes-think-that-the-saving-grace-of-america-lies-in-the-fact/) [Franklin Delano Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-delano-roosevelt/) > [The overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities a sense of humor and a sense of proportion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-overwhelming-majority-of-americans-are-possessed-of-two-great/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Haven't lost your sense of humor after all but your sense of identity is what seems to have been misplaced. No. Wrong. You don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-guest/haven-t-lost-your-sense-of-humor-after-all-but-your-sense-of-identity/) [Judith Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-guest/) > [The overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed oftwo great qualitiesa sense of humor and a sense of proportion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt-2/the-overwhelming-majority-of-americans-are-possessed-oftwo-great/) [Franklin D Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt-2/) ## More by Mark Shields > [I'm not sure Betsy DeVos has ever spent a day in a public school. And I don't - I'm pretty sure Donald Trump hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-m-not-sure-betsy-devos-has-ever-spent-a-day-in-a-public-school-and/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Donald Trump is sounding the same theme he has sounded since May or June of 2015.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/donald-trump-is-sounding-the-same-theme-he-has-sounded-since-may-or/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I do look upon the secretary of education's primary responsibility as the quality of education that - and improving the education that every child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-do-look-upon-the-secretary-of-education-s-primary-responsibility-as/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Dan Coats, retiring senator from Indiana, a mild-mannered man, a former United States ambassador to Germany, former congressman, said of Ted Cruz he's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/dan-coats-retiring-senator-from-indiana-a-mild-mannered-man-a-former/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [It's interesting how identity politics and Ann Coulter-style tactics have now blossomed. But they were always there in CPAC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/it-s-interesting-how-identity-politics-and-ann-coulter-style-tactics/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [When you run for president of the United States, everybody does the same thing in the campaign-they talk about veterans, how much they admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/when-you-run-for-president-of-the-united-states-everybody-does-the/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Americans don't like powerful figures who punch down, that is, who pick on someone less powerful and less able to speak for themselves than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/americans-don-t-like-powerful-figures-who-punch-down-that-is-who-pick/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Everyone has to take Donald Trump seriously, and I think that's what we're seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/everyone-has-to-take-donald-trump-seriously-and-i-think-that-s-what/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Donald Trump defies gravity. And so I guess he has to be Donald Trump. It's gotten him so far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/donald-trump-defies-gravity-and-so-i-guess-he-has-to-be-donald-trump/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [ My church \[Catholisism\] is hurting from arrogance and from its indifference to the suffering of children that were abused and the inclination of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/my-church-catholisism-is-hurting-from-arrogance-and-from-its/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [America is Republican until 5:00 or 6:00 at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/america-is-republican-until-5-00-or-6-00-at-night/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [John Kerry's biography was central to his campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/john-kerry-s-biography-was-central-to-his-campaign/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I think Guantanamo, has been synonymous with the staining of American values and American legal tradition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-think-guantanamo-has-been-synonymous-with-the-staining-of-american/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Stronger together is, I think, a preposition and a comparative adjective, but it's not really an action verb or what it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/stronger-together-is-i-think-a-preposition-and-a-comparative/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [If you only make fights that you're going to win, there would be no women's vote in America, there would be no civil rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/if-you-only-make-fights-that-you-re-going-to-win-there-would-be-no/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) [Explore all 227 Mark Shields quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) ## More Boss quotes > [ME AND SUMMER GUNNA BE MOVING IN TOGETHER HELL YA ITS GUNNA BE BOSS!!!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hawes/me-and-summer-gunna-be-moving-in-together-hell-ya-its-gunna-be-boss/) [Jon Hawes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hawes/) > [“having sex with her boss.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-henning/having-sex-with-her-boss/) Stephen Henning > [Once in a while there's wisdom in recognizing that the Boss is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/once-in-a-while-there-s-wisdom-in-recognizing-that-the-boss-is/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [It is reassuring for people to feel they have a boss, someone who knows the answers and has charted the course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-cukor/it-is-reassuring-for-people-to-feel-they-have-a-boss-someone-who/) [George Cukor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-cukor/) > [I don't have a boss or PR person, so I'm accountable to no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-don-t-have-a-boss-or-pr-person-so-i-m-accountable-to-no-one/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [ I remember Robin \[Williams\] walked up to me after the last take and said, "Thanks boss! We nailed it!" That will probably be one… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-aguire/i-remember-robin-williams-walked-up-to-me-after-the-last-take-and/) Roberto Aguire > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Your manager is your boss and tells you what to do, what to wear and who to be, so our relationship changed. I loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcdonald/your-manager-is-your-boss-and-tells-you-what-to-do-what-to-wear-and/) [Jane McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcdonald/) > [When I get home, I'm not the boss like I am at work - I slip into a more feminine role. I take everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-kerr/when-i-get-home-i-m-not-the-boss-like-i-am-at-work-i-slip-into-a-more/) [Miranda Kerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-kerr/) > [I can't say it was challenging for me to shake the image of Frasier. I've been fortunate to have had a very interesting career…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsey-grammer/i-can-t-say-it-was-challenging-for-me-to-shake-the-image-of-frasier-i/) [Kelsey Grammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsey-grammer/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Take lack of candor. ... I'm not talking about boldface lying, but a tendency to withhold information. That behavior is far more common, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/take-lack-of-candor-i-m-not-talking-about-boldface-lying-but-a/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [“Pizza as a reward at work, gotta love it. Personally, I'd rather have that than a raise. Give me a pizza, boss, and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/pizza-as-a-reward-at-work-gotta-love-it-personally-i-d-rather-have/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Let me spell it out: with the psychotic boss, nothing you do is ever quite right. 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