Most people approach retirement with a gloomy face. They approach retirement as if it is giving into the hands of fate and the decay of the body. Therefore, it is very vital to help the retiree be with you that retirement is something to be accepted as it is an inevitable stage in life. But how can one achieve that? Its simple: just poke fun at retirement. Retirement jokes, like the ones made in speeches are well loved. Though, speeches tend make people emotional to the top where everyone in the room is in a disorder of gloomy inevitability and sympathy. But one can raise the level of the atmosphere with retirement jokes (without insulting the retiree, of course).
Examples: Further to language about the fantastic moments the speaker has shared with the retiree, he/she can add something that will lighten up the atmosphere. One could give a headstone slab, which has the dedication To Be Filled In Later on it. If you’re a friend, you can also make a joke by calling the retiree granddad or grandfather whenever the retiree speaks to you, as in “OK, granddad”. This can also help lighten the mood. But don’t overdo it, of course.
Another joke that might help is a wig in an unusual affect like pink, green or purple. A stay on up gag to that jocularity could be that he may demand a wig in the very near future. If he declines it, say: Okay, then wear a paper bag instead when you do go bald. Always be prepared for when a joke fails. So keep those backup jokes ready! Believe it or not, some agencies write and sell personalized retirement speeches with witty jokes built in after knowing the personality and interests of the retiree. These companies usually add jokes about the retirees profession. If you can’t find sufficient retirement jokes, a visit to a bookshop could help a lot.
There are joke books that cover a vast range of topics, only one of which is retirement. A small search on this or that will help inspire the reader if he/she isnt a natural comedian. These can also be excellent retirement gifts as well, helping the retiree have a excellent laugh on one of those dull Monday afternoons. There are also a lot of websites on the net that provide a lot of jokes and free retirement e-books. The e-books that are available range from the 150 Best Things Said about Retirement to Retirement Wisdoms You Wont Get from your Trust Managerr.
Conclusion: You have a lot of leeway when telling jokes at a retirement party. If you know someone who is coming near to retirement, you can first send an email or two which has retirement quotations like retirement is when everyday is Saturday and retirement: goodbye tension, hello pension!. It is a nice gesture and gives the impression that you know what the future retiree is going through.
Again, keep the retiree (future or not) relaxed as much as you can. Make him/her reckon about retirement with a smile and not with a sigh as much as you can. And when the retirement party does come, keep the same light-hearted approach, inserting jokes here and there and doing some gags like the ones said above. Not only will the retiree feel less wary about retirement, he/she will focus more on the people who made him pleased on that bitter-sweet day, mainly the person that gave him that weird pink wig.