"Humour is one of the most serious tools we have for dealing with impossible situations.

" - Erica Jong Humour as described above is an effective tool of communication which can be used by various groups to increase bonhomie and oneness amongst the groups. It can also be used to diffuse tricky situations and also make everyone feel a part of the team. These are the basis for the article The Use of Humour in Workplace by Eric J Romero and Kevin W. Cruthirds. They talk about how humour can be used in workplace to lighten the mood within the organizational environments and make work life more enjoyable. Human interactions are often touted as either the success or failure of a group, a team, or an organization. Humour, having multifunctional roles in organisation can be used to manage members of the team in better way. The article then goes on to describe types of humour. The authors broadly classify humour into five categories viz Affiliative Humour, Self-Enhancing Humour, Aggressive Humour, Mild Aggressive Humour and Self-Defeating Humour. These categories of humours either used alone or in tandem can bring about the following organizational outcomes: Group Cohesiveness; Better Communication; Stress Reduction; Creativity; a Unique Organizational Culture and Leadership. Although authors say that humour can bring about these changes, I find it difficult to foresee whether actually humour can bring about so much change in people. Yes, Laughter is a very good medicine but it is also very bitter medicine for the people at receiving end of the joke. More often than not people instead of seeing the intentions of the humour, take it personally thus leading to bad blood amongst the two people. I do agree that humour can be used as Stress buster as it immediately makes you feel that situation which was causing stress is not as stressful as you perceive it to be. By cracking a

joke we are actually lightening up our mood and also give ourselves the strength to combat the problem repeatedly till we can solve it. But to think that humour can be the magic wand which can be a solution to every other problem like lack of group cohesiveness or creativity is being overly optimistic. Humour in such situations will more be perceived as lack of seriousness than a solution. So it is advisable to refrain from humour in such situations unless the group does not mind it. The other part of the article asks us to be sensitive about the group to whom the joke is being told. For example telling a Jewish joke to a Jew or joke about women to a lady will definitely leave a bad taste in their mouth and can lead to differences. I agree to certain extent on this matter with the authors but not completely. It is very difficult for person cracking a joke to keep in mind each and everyones beliefs and values because no matter what the joke it is bound to ruffle some feathers. In such situations the person should either try and tone down the joke or crack jokes which do not offend a majority of the audience. Overall the article although well-written, will continue to remain a theoretical piece because it is very difficult to force humour onto anyone. Every individual his or her own specific preferences towards humour and to include everyone will definitely hurt someone. So humour if used should be used sparsely and to combat stress. By K. Bhuvan Prashanth 111019 PGP 2011-13 IIM Udaipur