Post: #1

My band finished a set last night. After all the breaking down and packing I decided to grab some food inside the venue. I saw the girl (decent 8) working at counter earlier that night when we arrived around 8pm, by now it was pushing 2:30am. So I casually walked up and said "Still here?" She responded laughing "Haha, yeah I could say the same thing for you, you jerk!" I laughed and ignored it. At this moment I couldn't tell if she was playfully replying or actually shitting all over me. Either way, I felt like I could have said something sarcastic, but having a poor level of quick-wittedness made me slam into a wall yet again. I got my food, she smiled, and never gave an indication of being genuinely pissed-off. Frustrating.

But this brings me to my point: is having quick-wit a natural ability, or can it be acquired over time? I feel like my learning process up to this point solely relies on this one skill. I can gain interest, but I tend to freeze up with shit-tests and the like. Veterans - similar issues in the beginning?

Post: #2

Wit could definitely be learned. However it is not absolutely necessary, in fact too much wit could easily make you look a clown or untrustworthy.

And you don't need wit to counter shit tests, you just don't need to be reactive. Which means you shouldn't change your behavior or personality just because you heard the shit test. If you're not naturally witty during the conversation, and only come up with witty rebuttal on the shit tests, this may look like you're trying too hard to counter the shit tests. This is reactive behavior, which means you failed the test. Don't forget, until you're in comfort, how you say things matters more than what you say.

Post: #3

Quick wit is game! Master it and you will never have to think ever again. Some have it and some don't. Push yourself into situations when you HAVE to have it on the steady then it will come easy.......Old Nemesis is on point once again here........Some things are easier to be shown than others...I wish I could explain this to you.

Post: #4

(10-09-2011 11:20 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Quick wit is game! Master it and you will never have to think ever again. Some have it and some don't. Push yourself into situations when you HAVE to have it on the steady then it will come easy.......Old Nemesis is on point once again here........Some things are easier to be shown than others...I wish I could explain this to you.

Most of it is about avoiding awkward silences- you can say almost anything if you are relaxed with your body language. So just say anything to keep the texture of the dialogue going. You might spit out something weird or creepy the first few times, but you'll get the hang of it with practice.

It's like what they wuth comedy- the most important thing is
.
.
timing.

Post: #5

I think quick wit is a natural ability. Or at least it comes easiest to extroverts who are very "in the moment" types. The type of person who can be a standup comedian and come up with great retorts in situations where there is no script. Or think of freestyle rappers coming up with witty and rhyming lyrics on the go. Those people just have a gift for it. Put an introvert with a more contemplative style of thinking in that situation and their brain just doesn't work like that. I don't know how much quick wit can be learned, because it's a form of verbal creativity on the fly. Creativity can't be learned, it's just a trait you are good at or you are not. Some people are more gifted at it than others.

Post: #6

Wit is a skill you can develop.
Just like all skills, the more you practice and hone it, the better it will get.

Improv can work wonders for sharpening your wit.
Join an improv group or class if you get the chance.

Although, the whole 'she is shit-testing me' frame of mind tends to make it harder for some guys to develop their wit in an attractive way.

Humor is one of the most important skills you can develop when it comes to interacting with women attratively (you can trust me, based on my massive, huge authority of two, yes, two whole posts on these forums ).

Post: #7

No I only have my pulsating pecs and bulging bank account to rely on.

Post: #8

It can be improved. Read interesting nonfiction, awesome-ass fiction, watch Frasier, hang out with clever people, avoid stupid ones.

Post: #9

Its a skill that be improved.

I posted something similar a few months back..

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Post: #10

(10-10-2011 01:38 AM)speakeasy Wrote:  I think quick wit is a natural ability. Or at least it comes easiest to extroverts who are very "in the moment" types. The type of person who can be a standup comedian and come up with great retorts in situations where there is no script. Or think of freestyle rappers coming up with witty and rhyming lyrics on the go. Those people just have a gift for it. Put an introvert with a more contemplative style of thinking in that situation and their brain just doesn't work like that. I don't know how much quick wit can be learned, because it's a form of verbal creativity on the fly. Creativity can't be learned, it's just a trait you are good at or you are not. Some people are more gifted at it than others.

Disagree, comedians didn't just start being witty. They spent countless hours trying to make jokes. They test their wit allnrhe time. Creativity can be developed justnas good as the "logic" part of the brain

Post: #11

(10-10-2011 01:38 AM)speakeasy Wrote:  I think quick wit is a natural ability. Or at least it comes easiest to extroverts who are very "in the moment" types. The type of person who can be a standup comedian and come up with great retorts in situations where there is no script. Or think of freestyle rappers coming up with witty and rhyming lyrics on the go. Those people just have a gift for it. Put an introvert with a more contemplative style of thinking in that situation and their brain just doesn't work like that. I don't know how much quick wit can be learned, because it's a form of verbal creativity on the fly. Creativity can't be learned, it's just a trait you are good at or you are not. Some people are more gifted at it than others.

It's strange. I find myself an "In the Moment" type person around certain groups of friends, and not so much around others. Perhaps some people inadvertently switch your personality-modes on/off in better ways or not. But, I do think to a certain extent wit is a natural capability. As Andreas posted though, it would only seem logical that creativity can be learned/developed as much as well, logical thinking haha.

Post: #12

Imitate a comedian like Mitch Hedberg. He's a pile of one liners. That's what I need. Not LONG stories with a punch line, and make sure the one liners aren't insulting someone. Another reason I like Mitch Hedberg.
Steven Wright is probably good too. Just don't get too abstract.