So you’re the type that always makes your friends laugh, and most of your WhatsApp group messages are followed by all those cry-laughing emojis. Or a chorus of “haha” – I dunno, they’re your friends, not mine.

Let’s deal with the good news / bad news, and we’re going with the latter first.

The bad news is that you’re probably not funny. Sorry, someone had to say it.  We’re joking, but chances are you’re never going to make it as a stand-up comedian.

The good news – drum roll please – you’re more intelligent than everyone else. That’s according to a study coming out of Austria, a country not exactly known for being laugh a minute, which discovered that funny people, “particularly those who enjoy dark humour, have higher IQs than their less funny peers”.

The Conversation reports:

Their analysis shows that funny people have higher verbal and non-verbal intelligence, and they score lower in mood disturbance and aggressiveness.

Not only are funny people smart, they’re nice to be around. Evidence suggests that having a good sense of humour is linked to high emotional intelligence and is a highly desirable quality in a partner. Evolutionary psychologists describe humour as a “heritable trait” that signals mental fitness and intellectual agility to prospective mates.

In studies of attractiveness, both men and women rate funny people as more attractive, and cite having a good sense of humour as being one of the most important traits in a long-term partner…

Having a humorous outlook on life is also a good coping strategy. It helps people better manage stress and adversity.

You’re dead sexy and are better at coping with stress – form an orderly queue, please, suitors.

We’re not done just yet, either, because evidence also suggests that being funny actually boosts perceptions of confidence, competence and status:

Humour gets people to listen, helps communicate messages and aids learning. It is a powerful tool that many successful leaders use to enhance group cohesiveness and organisational culture. ..

The “broaden and build” theory also supports the idea that experiencing positive emotions through humour actually alters our thoughts, actions and physiological responses. It creates a virtuous circle effect that enhances well-being.

Basically, keep your friends close and your funnier friends closer.

Not related to the Austrian study, but there’s actually an easy way to find out if someone isn’t funny as soon as you meet them.

Simply ask them if they think The Big Bang Theory is a good show, and if they do then cut them out of your life immediately.

[source:conversation]