Why do we try not to laugh?

[Lord Doctor]

Well, those of us that try not to laugh.
I've never quite understood that.

 

[AngelOfDarkness]

Coping mechanism?

 

[Lord Doctor]

Could be. Dunno though I've heard that if you hold it back it makes it worse.

 

[Canadian_Eh]

Well, those of us that try not to laugh.
I've never quite understood that.

I can answer this one, for me it's because I don't always want to show the ler that they're getting to me, Which only makes them try harder, which always ends up in FAIL , well for me anyway... ( I never said it was a WELL thought out plan 😛 )

 

[EcEu]

I can answer this one, for me it's because I don't always want to show the ler that they're getting to me, Which only makes them try harder, which always ends up in FAIL , well for me anyway... ( I never said it was a WELL though out plan 😛 )

exactly this, it's fun to tease someone who's trying to ler'irize you

 

[Artoo]

Because laughter implies that the 'ler has already won most of the battle; I'd like to think I give my 'lers a run for their money. 😎

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Because laughter implies that the 'ler has already won most of the battle; I'd like to think I give my 'lers a run for their money. 😎

This.

 

[Tinkerhead414]

It is definitely a way of hiding how ticklish one is, on the off chance that the 'ler is dumb enough to give up after a few seconds of not hearing a giggle.

 

[GEORGIATKLER]

stop me if you've heard this: two sonicares walk into a shoe store

ok, so the 'lee is not laughing at me, she is not laughing with me? B'OKAY. I love it when a 'lee hold in the laughter(barely) while turning a lovely shade of crimson and curls and locks her cute toes into 'da monkey foot. I guess for many 'lees once the giggles start the game is really afoot.

 

[starburstz91]

I do it to have the tickler try harder to tickle.

Encouragiiiing.

Well, and it's a habit, because I'm just so ever stubborn.

 

[rhiannon]

Power play! 🙂 Not letting the ler know right away that I don't stand a chance.

 

[ttx]

I can answer this one, for me it's because I don't always want to show the ler that they're getting to me, Which only makes them try harder, which always ends up in FAIL , well for me anyway... ( I never said it was a WELL though out plan 😛 )

i agree.i don't want to show to my tickler that he has found the way to make me cry and begging.I'm too selfish to give her this satisfaction..

 

[Tiger.Lily]

Good question. Thinking about it, I hold a LOT of my reactions back throughout all sessions I have. Loss of control doesn't go over well with me. It takes a lot of trust in my 'ler to allow myself to give in to sensation and let my reactions/laughter come as they will. It's all about power exchange and control...as in any relationship. ;P

 

[JustPeechy]

exactly this, it's fun to tease someone who's trying to ler'irize you

haha, ler'irize, I like that and yes this holds true for me too.

 

[sasaxrah]

Um, I don't actually try not to laugh. Am I the only one?

 

[Lord Doctor]

...bloody hell you're all making me look so easy-going 😀

So nah, you're not the only one. I actually get irritated if I don't

 

[Capnmad]

This is part of why I love having fellow geek company on here... They ask the best questions! I’ll try to relate my answer not only to tickling, but laughter in general...

The views expressed herein are the personal views of Caffeine and Sleep Deprivation and are not intended to reflect the actual views of Cap’n Mad. Any resemblance to Cap’n Mad’s actual views may be more than coincidental, but are probably only slightly more than passingly so.

Laughter is often in response to something unexpected (be that an unexpected touch as in tickling, an unexpected witticism, or the unexpected but apparently harmless or transient misfortune of someone -- hence the popularity of sitcoms that put the characters in ridiculous situations, stand-up comedians sharing various woes, practical jokes, and vid clip shows prominently featuring men being hit in the groin with all manner of object).

And laughter is itself often unexpected, hence its contagious and sometimes self-perpetuating nature (sometimes, the thought that you’re laughing at something “horrible” is enough to keep you laughing well beyond what you ordinarily would).

But there’s something of a cultural imperative to stifle one’s laughter when, say, the misfortune you are laughing at belongs to someone you are close to, or when the other party takes the situation seriously. This is part of why people don’t know whether they should laugh at certain types of humor that attack racial issues or skewer stereotypes, especially when witness to it among a crowd of another or several other races. It’s simply common sense -- if several of the surrounding people take it seriously, and you’re the only one laughing, it can be a problem for you.

The potential danger implicit in being the “odd man out” is probably the basis for the fact that, at root, laughter is a matter of trust. You have to feel safe and comfortable in your present company to feel at ease enough to laugh. This is also part of why some folks don’t feel at ease in public scenes, I think... Their trust is reserved for only a handful of people, and while anxiety in and of itself can dull their response to physical stimuli (stress constricts blood vessels, making one less ticklish), simple lack of familiarity with one or two people can prevent the level of comfort required to feel it’s “safe” to laugh.

As it is at some level a matter of perceived trust and safety, the act of laughter can denote both faith in one’s company and/or relinquishing power and control to them, which is precisely the case in tickling. Thus, attempting to stifle ones own laughter while being tickled is an attempt to maintain control/power (or the appearance thereof, even in a hopeless situation), and has its reason rooted (however loosely so) in survival benefit, as mentioned above (“odd man out” suggests difference from the group, hence probable social weakness).

I think an interesting study might examine the correlation between frequency of laughter and the ease with which a subject lends trust to others.

Now, what other topics can I talk to death or make absolutely no f*cking sense on? 😀

 

[Artoo]

...a lot of things which make sense...

Woah.

I take my hat off to you, sir!

 

[Aimee]

What I want to know is how people can even hold in for more than 1 second? I can't.

 

[Artoo]

What I want to know is how people can even hold in for more than 1 second? I can't.

I know you can't 😛

It's just mind over matter. Take yourself to a tranquill place, yet at the same time concentrate hard on not letting any sound escape your mouth.

And if you do have to make a sound, channel all your energy into goading you 'ler. 😉

 

[Aimee]

I know you can't 😛

It's just mind over matter. Take yourself to a tranquill place, yet at the same time concentrate hard on not letting any sound escape your mouth.

And if you do have to make a sound, channel all your energy into goading you 'ler. 😉

I shall try that when you "pwn" me at Bella's then! HA!

 

[Kinky Couple]

I think it's just my competitive nature to try and hold on!!!

 

[chicago]

I hold it in sometimes because I like to make things difficult. And because I think it'll make them stop somehow.

 

[BrightEyes1082]

Because laughter implies that the 'ler has already won most of the battle; I'd like to think I give my 'lers a run for their money. 😎

I've never been able to succeed in doing this when it comes to
tickling. However, I do have the ability to control my reactions
when it comes to pain, sometimes. It doesn't last very long, and
it only encourages Lee to push further, harder, and after minutes
or even seconds I'm reacting strongly. But at least I can keep it
up for a short while. I really wish I could do it with tickling.

 

[ttx]

What I want to know is how people can even hold in for more than 1 second? I can't.

that makes me wanting to tickle the hhell out of you 😉