The Pros and Cons of Cynicism
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the relationship between cynicism and humor. I admit that I’m pretty cynical these days and while my cynicism can easily lead to negative thinking, with a little effort, it can also lead to humor.
Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines a cynic as “a fault-finding captious critic.” Of course, then I had to look up “captious” which apparently means an inclination to stress faults or raise objections. And cynical is defined as “contemptuously distrustful.” (Note: I cynically expect that I will never use the word “captious” in a sentence).
Essentially, cynicism is marked by fault-finding distrust and criticism. Clearly a trait that would not be adorned by the masses.
We all know the terminal critic. He’s the one who always complains about the weather, the temperature, and the meteorologists. “How can they get paid for being wrong all the time?” Or she is the one who frowns upon any discount or sale. “There must be something wrong with it for them to sell it at such a discount.” These people are the life of the party – at least when we watch them for our own entertainment.
Cynicism as a personality trait is not pleasant.
However, cynicism that leads to humor is pretty cool. Let’s look at the difference.
A cynical personality looks at the world through poop colored glasses. Everything and everyone is suspect. There is no inherent good and conspiracy theories abound. A true cynic is always right and everyone else is always wrong or worse yet, out to get them. I remember Archie Bunker once saying, “I ain’t paranoid. I know that people are out to get me.” He’s a good example of a true cynic.
A cynihumorist, however, uses cynicism to see the absurdity and humor in everyday life. This is the person who looks at a situation and then twists his or her head and thinks, “Hmmmm, that’s weird.” My friend Dale Irvin, a humorist, once said that when people talk about the weather in Phoenix, they always say, “But it’s a dry heat.” He said, “So is fire but that doesn’t mean I want to live in it.” He took his cynicism about the weather and turned it into something funny.
Turning cynicism into humor can be a healthy way taking the high road above negativity.
So consider your approach to cynicism. Is it steeped in negativity thus leading you to a never-ending distrust of situations and people? Or can you turn it into something funny which brings people together through common experiences?
To get you thinking about this, here are some ways to turn healthcare cynicism into humor:
- Cynicism: The doctor never signs his orders.
- Cynihumor: I’m going to staple the orders to my forehead until the doctor realizes he needs to sign them.
- Cynicism: Mrs. Johnson will NOT stop pressing her call button.
- Cynihumor: I’ve attached my car battery to Mrs. Johnson’s call button. Next time she pushes it she’ll be shocked when I come to her room.
- Cynicism: I hate meetings.
- Cynihumor: I love meetings because I can’t hear Mrs. Johnson’s call button.
Consider having a luncheon meeting where you and your colleagues turn your cynicisms into cynihumor. It might be fun!
Ron