--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was younger, I used humour as a…" description: "\"When I was younger, I used humour as a tool to avoid getting too serious with people - if there was deep emotional stuff going on, then I would crack a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/matthew-perry-5674_avoid_when-i-was-younger-i-used-humour-as-a-to_44731.jpg" --- # When I was younger, I used humour as a tool to avoid… ![“When I was younger, I used humour as a tool to avoid getting too serious with people - if there was deep emotional stuff going on, then I would crack a joke to defuse the situation.” quote by Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/matthew-perry-5674_avoid_when-i-was-younger-i-used-humour-as-a-to_44731.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/matthew-perry-5674_avoid_when-i-was-younger-i-used-humour-as-a-to_44731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/matthew-perry-5674_avoid_when-i-was-younger-i-used-humour-as-a-to_44731.jpg) > “When I was younger, I used humour as a tool to avoid getting too serious with people - if there was deep emotional stuff going on, then I would crack a joke to defuse the situation.” [Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-perry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humor serves as a defensive mechanism to keep emotional intimacy at a distance, allowing the speaker to maintain emotional safety by lightening serious moments. **In simple terms:** Humor as emotional armor Key Takeaway Jokes can mask vulnerability Themes defense emotional regulation social interaction self-protection humor Mood defensive lighthearted guarded Type personal anecdote self‑reflection When to use this quote - conflict resolution - first dates - team meetings - family gatherings Key Concepts coping strategy boundary setting self-awareness Practical Applications - therapeutic role‑playing - communication training Questions to Reflect On - When does humor become avoidance? - How can one balance levity with sincerity? A Different Perspective Relying on humor may prevent genuine connection and hinder emotional growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Avoid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoid/) [Crack Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crack-joke-659303/) [Cracks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cracks/) [Deep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep/) [Deep emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-emotional/) [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/) [Humour Tool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour-tool-659302/) [Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke/) [Joke Defuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke-defuse-659301/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Serious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serious/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Used Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-humour-659300/) ## Related quotes > [Because I was a shy and awkward child, I used humour to deflect attention. 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