We have been on a little rest and relaxation trip. When on vacation, my husband normally gets up before I do and heads to the pool. He left a note saying, “I’ve got everything.” Therefore, I was a little puzzled when I found two bottles of water still on the counter. So I figured he had forgotten them and took them out with me when I was ready to join him.
As I was walking toward him, he started shaking his head and I could tell by his expression he was irritated. “I told you I had everything!”
“Well, why were these (bottles of water) on the counter?” I asked.
“Oh, I guess I forgot them.”
I was tempted to give him back the same attitude, but instead I just touched one of the bottle to his stomach. He laughed. This humor broke what could have been a very different outcome.
Humor can be a great tool to limit emotional stress or prevent a situation from escalating But know the person and exercise common sense. Not everyone responds to humor so use it in the right moment and the right way.