The Joke’s On Me

New research has found truth in the old stereotype that most men find funny women a turn-off.

Scientists say women who tell jokes are seen as a threat, undermining men’s idea that they should hold the dominant role.

Hundreds of men and women in their twenties were questioned by academics. Most said they found a sense of humour to be attractive in women - but when asked if they would want to be with a woman who cracked jokes herself, more than half said no.

Dr Rod Martin, whose research will be published in the scientific journal Evolution and Human Behaviour this week, said his findings suggested men feel threatened by witty women.

“When forced to choose between humour production and humour appreciation in potential partners, women valued humour production, whereas men valued receptivity to their own humour,” he said.

Dr Martin, a psychologist with the University of Western Ontario who has written several academic papers on humour, added: “One of the reasons why men don’t like female comedians may be that humour is seen as a masculine thing.”

But his research did find that men did show a preference for funny women when it came to one-night stands

The Independent on Sunday, which reported on the research today, put the findings to leading females.

Kumars star Meera Syal said: “The idea that men are more interested in having an audience rather than sharing banter doesn’t really surprise me. Women see men with a sense of humour as dangerous and sexy, while men see it as threatening.

“Humour is a mark of intelligence. Many men don’t really want to be the recipient of a cutting remark in public that will make them look small or stupid.”

Oriane Messina, of Radio 4’s Bearded Ladies, said: “I can’t say I’ve laughed a man into bed, whereas I know plenty of men who have laughed a woman into bed.”

Catherine Tate said: “I do recognise this type of man. They think that because you’re being funny you are entering their domain. Some backward types are threatened by funny women. It’s mad.”

And stand-up Lucy Porter added that the men who were bold enough to chat her up probably did so because “they think that if you are outrageous on stage, then you are going to be really dirty in bed”.