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The Secret Book of CIA Humor suggests, perhaps surprisingly, that plenty of humor in the workplace can be found deep within the secretive bowels of the CIA. Some of it is classified of course, and if I told you, well, we all know how that would end. The author, Ed Mickolus, a notorious workplace prankster, does reveal three rules of "prankster engagement" his CIA boss laid down for him:
1. Don`t be cruel.
2. Don`t do anything I have to hear about.
3. Don`t destroy government equipment. (Likely an important one in the CIA.)
Great common sense guidelines that could apply to any workplace. And a good reminder that perhaps it would be prudent to lay out some simple prankster etiquette guidelines in all of our workplaces. But what about some after-prank advice? As in, what do you when you are on the receiving end of a secret prank? Assuming the prank was not cruel, lawsuit-worthy or involved destroying government property, how should a person respond?
Courtney Shea offered up four possible post-prank reactions in a Globe and Mail article:
1. Grin and bear it, even if you didn't think it was that funny (remember, we're not talking about cruel jokes here). Laughing shows you can roll with the punches and puts you firmly inside the joke.
2. Have a witty comeback ready in your back pocket. (I would advise literally storing one there that you could pull out an read when required.)
3. Up the humor ante. If there's a way to build on the joke, to add something to it, then you can regain control of the situation (again, making sure that, you know, no government equipment gets destroyed).
4. Own the moment. Embrace the fun and revel in the spotlight. Easier said than done, I know, especially if you're an introvert, but there's definitely something to be said for eating the entire pie once you've been pied in the face.
Remember that pranksters are usually looking to draw attention to themselves, not necessarily to the "prankee." Moreover, studies reported in the Journal of Humor Research have demonstrated the positive role that "safe" pranksters and jokers play in terms of team cohesion, morale and stress management, as long as no one (or no equipment), gets hurt in the process!
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