Someone describes an activity with which they have a personal affinity. Next, proceed to be funny like Owen Wilson:
- Begin to express enthusiasm for the stated activity at a rapid clip.
- Repeat the activity back to the person.
- Pick a certain detail or two involved in the activity and state these details back in the second person.
- Ask a question about the activity which seems to divert from the topic entirely.
- Then, before they have a chance to respond, ask a deeply personal, if slightly philosophical, question.
- Finally, squint your eyes and stare intently (doesn’t matter where) while keeping your lips parted so they think you might start to speak but you never do.
Step 5½ is optional, and that is: Insert an off-hand remark which alludes to an interesting life experience of your own, but in an extremely self-deprecating way.