Answering a call is probably the most tedious thing we do daily. But what if you could turn this daily routine into a funny event for the caller? With the increasing informal mode of communication, humor can break the ice, lighten up a person’s mood, or even get some good laughter. Whether talking to friends, family, or even people one has never met, the amusing ways to answer the phone will add to the routine of one’s daily life.
In this article, we will take you through some funny, light-hearted, even sometimes humorous ways to begin a phone conversation. We’ll also give you a few tips on how you can come up with your own funny greetings specific to your style and circumstances. And we’ll cover why humor is such a powerful communication tool for you to lift someone’s spirits.
Why humor is such a great communication tool on the phone
Humor is the strongest language that ever existed. It makes tension easier to deal with, strengthens relationships, and creates a clean environment. Each time you make someone laugh or smile, you give him a mini-vacation from his normal day. Here are some vital reasons why humor is significant in a phone conversation:
Breaks the ice: Especially when you’re in a formal or semi-formal setting, answering with humor can break barriers and keep going into proceedings naturally.
Creates A Lasting Impression: No one who gets a funny greeting is going to forget you. Whether for personal or business calls, the chances are much higher that people will remember someone who makes them laugh.
Elevates Mood: Laughter helps release endorphins for the person, giving him a serious mood lifter right off the bat. When on a stressful day, your levity can be that much-needed rush.
Shows personality: Humorous phone answers reveal your personality. You present the caller with your sense of humour, which will create a rapport.
Now that we understand why humor would be a good idea, let’s explore some fun ways to answer the phone.
A line from a movie or TV show
Try quoting a famous catchphrase from a movie or TV show to someone when you’re answering the phone. It might catch them off balance and is hilarious if they know it. Some examples:
“Bond. James Bond.”
“Hello, you are in Batcave. Batman speaking.”
“You got the right number. Wrong man.” (Fight Club)
This works well if the people have a common taste in entertainment. This will create rapport over entertainment or simply an interesting topic with which to start the conversation.
Dramatic greetings
sometimes are the best ways to make someone laugh. A dramatic welcome is sure to catch the attention and surprise the caller:
“Ah! Finally, after so many years, you found me!”
“Greetings, tired traveler! What word do you bring from yonder?”
“Ah-ha! Now at last the prophecy is fulfilled! Speak, wizard!”
These exchanges are good for friends who love to play on someone’s corniness or enjoy monkeying with a creative twist of phrase.
The befuddled receptionist
Playing the role of a receptionist for some obscure, nonexistent firm can really pay off on the laugh side, especially if you hold your tone professionally:
“Thank you for calling Pineapple Pizza Enthusiasts. How may I assist you?”
“Hello! You have reached ‘The Galactic Federation’. Do you have permission to speak to our Supreme Leader?”
“Hello, you have reached the ‘Talking Turtles Hotline’. Are you calling about turtle care or adoption?”
The ridiculousness of the phoney company name combined with your straight business-like demeanor will probably totally take the caller aback so that they laugh.
The joke response
Sometimes, an open joke leads to some funny situations. You can pretend to be somebody else or something completely unexpected. Note of caution, though-this kind of response should be left for people you know well enough to laugh at a joke:
“911, what is your emergency?”
“Pizza Palace, how can I take your order?”
“Hello, this is your parole officer. What’s going on?”
Remember that these could be humorous to your friends or family, but not exactly appropriate for business calls, right?
The “wrong number” trick
Another fun trick is pretending that the caller got the wrong number. This works best if you are only able to use a few awkward seconds of confusion:
“Who is it? I think you got the wrong number.”
“Sorry, I think you’re looking for someone else.”
“No, it’s not Sarah’s phone.”
Wait for a few minutes and just for the fun of it, pretend it’s you and enjoy the laughter that follows.
Alien Invasion
Take the confusion concept just a little further, you being an alien from another planet. This can be very creative for the receiver, especially if that person is witty:
“We have contacted you, Earthling. Tell us your purpose for this communication.”
“Hello, this is Zog from planet Xylar. How can we serve you in answering your question?”
“Alien detected! Engaging conversation circuit.”.
If the caller is willing to play along, be prepared for a few chuckles and probably some role playing tit for tat.
Busy professionals
Playing overwhelmed with work or pretending to be busy doing something utterly absurd often brings pretty good laughs, especially if you can manage to keep a straight face:
“Hi, I’m in the middle of a chess match with a squirrel. Can I call you back?”
“Sorry, can’t talk now. I’ve got to negotiate a peace treaty between my cat and my dog.”
“Hi, I’m wielding three flaming swords at the moment. How about we do this quickly?”
This type of greeting is useful with people who have a good sense of humor and who know you well enough to expect a joke.
The Sing-Along Answer
If you can hear it as a song, why not sing the song while you take the call? Sing out your greeting to the familiar tune of some song you know, or perhaps create a new one on the spot:
To the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”: “Hello, hello, who’s there? I’m taking the phone so carefully!”
Or just launch into an operatic “Helloooooo!”
You don’t have to be a great singer—you might be funny just because you’re surprising the caller with music, either.
Spy
Pretending to be involved in something super top-secret can add some mystery and humor to your answerphone message:
“This is Agent 47. Line secure, proceed with mission details.”
“Shh! I’m undercover. You have five seconds to explain why you’re calling.”
“You have reached the Pigeon Surveillance Squad’s confidential hotline. Have you witnessed pigeon activity suspicious enough to require our attention?”
This opening line brings a little poignancy and parody for those who enjoy a little bit of light-hearted mystery.
The answer to sleep
For those moments when you want it easy yet funny enough, faking to be half asleep can be a fantastic conversation starter:
“Who dares disturb my sleep?”
“Mmm. enough. is it time to get up?”
“What? Who are you? What time is it?”
A grouchy, sleepy voice will make the caller laugh, especially if he knows you’re just teasing.
Be creative and come up with your own funny phone greeting
It’s just as easy to come up with a humorous greeting by combining surprise, humor, or creativity elements. Just follow these suggestions on how to get your unique style in answering the calls:
Know Your Audience: What is calling? A close friend or family member will have a good time with more outrageous humor, while a new acquaintance may need something lighter.
Match Your Personality: Choose a greeting that goes with your personality. If you are a theatre type of person, go for dramatic greetings. If you are a little relaxed, a simple joke is perfect.
Experiment: Experiment with different greetings and see which one elicits the best reactions. The more you do, the better you will get at composing pithy responses.
Read More: How to Attract a Partner: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Love
Result
It is fun to use comedic ways in answering the phone. Whether quoting films, pretending to be secret agents, or as simple as creating funny scenarios, a humorous greeting brightens up your mood and will make the conversation have a special memory of humor when shared with friends and family. Try these ideas today and bring a little laughter into your day!
