by Andy Paulo

Created on: May 08, 2008

Sex can be a wonderful, relaxing, passionate and loving experience. But one wrong move or misunderstood comment can make the whole thing awkward and sticky. A question like the classic "Is it in?" or "What, exactly, are you trying to accomplish there?" can ruin the mood quite quickly. The most controversial coital comment, though, is the simple and seemingly harmless laugh.

Laughing is often a sign of joy and whimsy, although in a sexual situation it can quickly be misinterpreted as being directed at your partner, and not simply near him/her. And nothing is a greater turn-off than thinking the person whose mind you were sure you had just blown with your prowess is now laughing at your technique. There is no faster way to end an intimate encounter, with the exception of finding genitalia that you simply did not expect.

Don't misunderstand, laughing and joking aren't things forbidden during close encounters. The key is context, or as it might be called con-sext. Let's not call it that. Tickling? Good. Pointing and laughing? Bad. Proper laughing and joking around can help build a more satisfying sex life and a stronger relationship. The key is to feel comfortable with your partner. Don't be afraid to take chances and play around. Just put yourself in your partner's shoes before you make a funny, because lord only knows how badly it could be taken.

There is a limit to how comfortable your sex should be, though. Having fun is one thing, but you should look out for some of these warning signs that your sex is getting a little too familiar. If you're discussing how your day was, and how the guy in the cubicle next to you was eating curry and the smell was bothering you, you should be worried. If the topic of your income taxes comes up at all during sex, you should be worried. If you notice that the drapes need steam cleaning, you should be worried. If, half way through, you forget that you're actually having sex, you should be worried. And if you don't even realize you're having sex, when, in fact, you are, good lord should you be worried.

Another thing to remember is that, while laughing during sex is a positive thing in most cases, telling jokes mid-intercourse is not. I have yet to meet the person who will hear "Did you hear the one about the Rabbi and Cleopatra stranded in an elevator at Enron?" and immediately thinks "This joke is going to be such a turn on." Just something to keep in mind.

So get naked, call in your partner, and have a good laugh. Just be sure you're not laughing at them, or all your nakedness will be for naught. And no one likes wasted nudity.

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