--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Personally I don't spend much time…" description: "\"Personally I don't spend much time thinking about being funny. For me it's always been just a way to get by, a way to be likable yet to remain removed...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/wendy-wasserstein-17736_answers_personally-i-don-t-spend-much-time-think_384173.png" --- # Personally I don't spend much time thinking about being… ![“Personally I don't spend much time thinking about being funny. For me it's always been just a way to get by, a way to be likable yet to remain removed. When I speak up, it's not because I have any particular answers; rather, I have a desire to puncture the pretentiousness of those who seem so…” quote by Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/wendy-wasserstein-17736_answers_personally-i-don-t-spend-much-time-think_384173.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/wendy-wasserstein-17736_answers_personally-i-don-t-spend-much-time-think_384173.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/wendy-wasserstein-17736_answers_personally-i-don-t-spend-much-time-think_384173.png) > “Personally I don't spend much time thinking about being funny. For me it's always been just a way to get by, a way to be likable yet to remain removed. When I speak up, it's not because I have any particular answers; rather, I have a desire to puncture the pretentiousness of those who seem so certain they do.” [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She uses humor as a shield and a tool to challenge pretension, staying detached while seeking likability. **In simple terms:** Humor protects and critiques pretentiousness. Key Takeaway Use wit to expose arrogance while staying grounded. Themes humor social critique identity defense likability Mood reflective wry Type observational defensive When to use this quote - public speaking - social gatherings - debates - networking Key Concepts self‑presentation social dynamics psychology Questions to Reflect On - When do you use humor to protect yourself? - How does humor affect your credibility? A Different Perspective Humor can alienate if perceived as mockery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-funny/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Puncture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puncture/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I was always thinking the funny things but was always quiet and scared to be made fun of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-glaser/i-was-always-thinking-the-funny-things-but-was-always-quiet-and/) [Nikki Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-glaser/) > [I have the curse of thinking funny!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/i-have-the-curse-of-thinking-funny/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [If we started thinking, 'Why's this funny?' we might start incorporating rules into it. I'd be suspicious that it would change the nature of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vic-reeves/if-we-started-thinking-why-s-this-funny-we-might-start-incorporating/) [Vic Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vic-reeves/) > [The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ogilvy/the-best-ideas-come-as-jokes-make-your-thinking-as-funny-as-possible/) [David Ogilvy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ogilvy/) > [I'm definitely guilty of thinking something is funny but thinking the audience won't. Then three years later I will finally try it and it'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/i-m-definitely-guilty-of-thinking-something-is-funny-but-thinking-the/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [It's just thinking of funny things that will amuse us and entertain us and we'll come and do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/it-s-just-thinking-of-funny-things-that-will-amuse-us-and-entertain/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) > [Nobody travels on the road to success without a puncture or two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/navjot-singh-sidhu/nobody-travels-on-the-road-to-success-without-a-puncture-or-two/) [Navjot Singh Sidhu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/navjot-singh-sidhu/) > [I work best when people are here to puncture me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-bergeron/i-work-best-when-people-are-here-to-puncture-me/) [Tom Bergeron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-bergeron/) > [I don't know if this is an illusion but I would love to be able to take my card-throwing skills and be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-franco/i-don-t-know-if-this-is-an-illusion-but-i-would-love-to-be-able-to/) [Dave Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-franco/) > [Oh, for a pin that would puncture pretension!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/oh-for-a-pin-that-would-puncture-pretension/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [The zest for life of those unusual men and women who make a great zealous success of living is due more often in good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hoagland/the-zest-for-life-of-those-unusual-men-and-women-who-make-a-great/) [Edward Hoagland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hoagland/) > [I actually do see rock and roll as pop music. I think the distinction I was making was that I was going out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-bejar/i-actually-do-see-rock-and-roll-as-pop-music-i-think-the-distinction/) [Dan Bejar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-bejar/) > [I think that people are constantly thinking about capturing things that they're not actually present for the moment they're trying to capture. I'm quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mackaye/i-think-that-people-are-constantly-thinking-about-capturing-things/) [Ian MacKaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mackaye/) > [We get used to a certain kind of colour of form or format, and it's acceptable. And to puncture that is sticking your neck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-krasner/we-get-used-to-a-certain-kind-of-colour-of-form-or-format-and-it-s/) [Lee Krasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-krasner/) > [Lance Armstrong won seven Tours, that's 147 days of racing, and he never had a puncture or a mechanical. You can really minimise your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cavendish/lance-armstrong-won-seven-tours-that-s-147-days-of-racing-and-he/) [Mark Cavendish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cavendish/) ## More by Wendy Wasserstein > [One of the things about what . . . I do - writing plays - is that a poll is not taken before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/one-of-the-things-about-what-i-do-writing-plays-is-that-a-poll-is-not/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [anyone who writes plays is unbelievably persistent, because there isn't a need in the world for plays. Somehow you internally have to feel a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/anyone-who-writes-plays-is-unbelievably-persistent-because-there-isn/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [I really worked at becoming more assertive, and now none of my friends talk to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/i-really-worked-at-becoming-more-assertive-and-now-none-of-my-friends/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [Sometimes I want to clean up my desk and go out and say, respect me, I'm a respectable grown-up, and other times I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/sometimes-i-want-to-clean-up-my-desk-and-go-out-and-say-respect-me-i/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [No matter how lonely you get or how many birth announcements you receive, the trick is not to get frightened. There's nothing wrong with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/no-matter-how-lonely-you-get-or-how-many-birth-announcements-you/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [The trick. . .is to find the balance between the bright colors of humor and the serious issues of identity, self-loathing, and the possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/the-trick-is-to-find-the-balance-between-the-bright-colors-of-humor/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [being funny is a way of being liked and a way of dealing with sadness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/being-funny-is-a-way-of-being-liked-and-a-way-of-dealing-with-sadness/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [Being a grownup means assuming responsibility for yourself, for your children, and - here's the big curve - for your parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/being-a-grownup-means-assuming-responsibility-for-yourself-for-your/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [No matter how successful I become as a playwright, my mother would be thrilled to hear me tell her that I'd just lost twenty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/no-matter-how-successful-i-become-as-a-playwright-my-mother-would-be/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [I very much write from characters. Those people start speaking, and then I have them in the house with me and I live with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/i-very-much-write-from-characters-those-people-start-speaking-and/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [“In the world of The Age of Innocence , a financial disaster or moral scandal would permanently exile a guest from the finest dinner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/in-the-world-of-the-age-of-innocence-a-financial-disaster-or-moral/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [to live life as a writer is a very lucky thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/to-live-life-as-a-writer-is-a-very-lucky-thing/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [Sloth is the fastest-growing lifestyle movement in the world, and that's because it is completely doable. If you embrace sloth, it's the last thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/sloth-is-the-fastest-growing-lifestyle-movement-in-the-world-and-that/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [I'm not going to throw my imagination away. I refuse to lie down to expectation. If I can just hold out till I'm thirty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/i-m-not-going-to-throw-my-imagination-away-i-refuse-to-lie-down-to/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) > [Our lives are not totally random. We make commitments, we cause things to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/our-lives-are-not-totally-random-we-make-commitments-we-cause-things/) [Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) [Explore all 36 Wendy Wasserstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Personally I don't spend much time thinking about being funny. 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