Observe the world around you. Notice the little quirks of people, the strange things that happen in daily life. For example, the way someone tries to parallel park a huge car in a tiny space can be a great source of material for a funny story.
There's also 'The best stories are the ones that are told over and over again, until they become legends. And then they start to sound like lies.' This is funny as it shows how a story can transform over time through retelling. What begins as an interesting anecdote can become so exaggerated that it seems untrue, yet that's part of the charm of storytelling.
One funny thing could be when the story has animals behaving like humans. Or when the ending is completely unexpected and makes you go 'What?!' That's the kind of funny that can happen when telling stories.
They use exaggeration. For example, if they are talking about a small incident, they'll blow it up out of proportion to make it hilarious. Also, they play with language, like using puns or mispronunciations. And they often tell self - deprecating stories, which makes the audience feel more at ease and laugh.
People enjoy funny stories as they often bring a sense of joy and light - heartedness. When someone tells a funny story, it can create a positive and enjoyable atmosphere, making others feel good. Also, it's a great way to bond with others as shared laughter can strengthen relationships.
There could be a psychological reason. Telling the same funny stories might be a form of self - affirmation for him. It reminds him of his own resilience and ability to find humor in a tough environment. Also, as time passes, the funny stories become a part of his identity as an Iraq veteran. They are what he can use to represent his time there to others. And every time he tells them, he is also reinforcing his own sense of self and his place in the world, especially in relation to his military past.