We’ve all been there. A friend, family member, or coworker approaches asking, “Hey, can you do me a favor?” Instantly, your mind races with possible tasks they may request of you.
What if it’s inconvenient or time-consuming? Fear not – instead of a dull “Yes” or blunt “No”, learn some funny comebacks to surprise them while still being good-natured. This article will explore amusing ways to respond when posed with this common question.
What are some funny responses when asked to do a favor?
Some funny responses when asked to do a favor include:
- “I’ll pencil you in for next Tuesday between 1 and 1:05 pm.” Poking fun at a busy schedule.
- “Let me check in with my secretary and get back to you.” Pretending to be an important business person.
- “I charge by the hour for favors – providing friends and family discount, of course!” Making light of compensation expectations.
- “As long as it doesn’t involve burning buildings, burying bodies, or alpacas…I’m in!” Outlandish assumptions about the request.
The key is responding with wit and humor without fully committing either way. This leaves the door open to still politely decline if needed.
10 Best Replies to When Someone Asks to do a Favor
“Does this favor happen to involve donuts or pasta of some kind?”
Appealing to your food motivations when considering a favor for someone. Other eats that incentivize you could be substituted as well! Here are some other tasty favor requests you may enjoy helping with:
- “Will cookies/cake/ice cream be involved?”
- “Is wine/beer/coffee on the table for this favor?”
- “As long as tacos/pizza/wings are included, I’m down!”
“Only if this favor scores me bonus points towards getting out of future awkward family events.”
Sometimes providing assistance comes with strings attached – like free passes from uncomfortable holiday parties or gatherings down the road. Other “exchange of services” returns could be:
- Earning a specific homemade meal from their cooking repertoire.
- Securing on-call babysitting privileges when you need a night out.
- Scoring coveted shotgun seat privileges for upcoming road trips.
“I don’t know…what’s in it for me besides the joy of helping others?”
While conveying amusement, this response also checks if there is any reciprocation or benefit to agreeing. With close friends, you can also jokingly ask:
- “How many coffees do I get in return?”
- “Will snacks or baked goods be provided?”
- “Can we negotiate something like a movie or game night?”
“I’m more of a favor bank than a favor factory. Let’s see if my account has enough for a withdrawal.”
Suggesting you already do quite a few favors and have to be selective in taking on more. Some other creative favor bank analogies:
- “Let me check my favor funds – they may be low at the moment.”
- “I can’t overdraft my favor account, but let’s chat.”
- “My favor reserves are kind of depleted…let’s negotiate a small favor loan.”
“As long as I don’t have to dispose of any bodies or provide an alibi, I’m intrigued.”
Humorously implying the request may involve questionable legality. Other responses in a similar vein:
- “This doesn’t require me to engage in any light treason, does it?”
- “Will I need to fake documents or lie to authorities?”
- “Please tell me falsifying signatures isn’t required.”
“Only if you still have that fabulous guacamole recipe up your sleeve from the work potluck!”
Bartering for coveted food secrets you’ve been meaning to get your hands on. Along the same lines:
- “I have been dying for Grandma’s pie recipe – help me out?”
- “Care to share the secret ingredient for those cookies?”
- “About time you showed me how to make that cocktail!”
“Let’s see if we can strike a guitar hero for guitar tuning trade here…”
Leveraging skills bartering rather than returning direct favors. Other skillswaps:
- “I tune your guitar if you teach me that sweet card trick.”
- “I edit your video if you help tweak my golf swing.”
- “I’ll DJ your party if you handle my yardwork.”
“Only if you wear the banana suit while making the request. I have appearances to keep up, after all.”
Entertaining oneself by making lighthearted demands to fulfill the favor. For example:
- “I’m going to need you to sing your request to the tune of Happy Birthday, please.”
- “I require one interpretive dance explaining the favor before I can commit.”
- “This necessitates a jelly bean offering to the favor gods, obviously.”
“How about we sweeten the deal with fancy doughnuts or muffins too?”
Getting creative about adding tasty terms that make the favor more enticing. Related asks:
- “Throw in some of that gourmet chocolate we love so much!”
- “I propose bonuses like pizza and movie night – then we have a favor deal.”
- “Can we make this a brunch favor? I’ll bring mimosas!”
“classic case of Quid Pro Quo…but we can negotiate the ‘quid’.”
Humorously expecting reciprocation. Other ways to ask:
- “Tit for tat, you know. But the ‘tat’ is flexible in this case.”
- “I generously accept homemade meals, gifted desserts or coffee compensation.”
- “Let’s call it I.O.U favor credits for future cash-ins.”
“As long as there’s cider doughnuts and apple picking involved, I feel autumnal enough to assist.”
Making seasonal or holiday-themed conditions around agreeing to help out. For instance:
- “Is hot cocoa part of the experience? If so, call me an elf helper!”
- “As long as candy canes and mistletoe are included, where do I sign up?”
- “Water gun fights and patriotic popsicles would really sell me on this favor!”
How to Respond to Female Friends
When your gal pals request assistance, tailor your funny reactions to your relationship dynamic and type of favors typically exchanged. Inside jokes and references to memorable moments you’ve shared always pack an extra punch.
Some examples:
For childhood BFFs
“As payback for all the games of MASH you made me play for predicting my future, I guess I have to say yes!”
For college roommates
“Only if you promise to return the favor when I’m moving out of my place someday…unlike sophomore year after that killer dorm party.”
For work friends
“Will coffee and muffin breakfast breaks be involved? I seem to remember you ‘forgetting your wallet’ often when we grab them now and then.”
Responding to Male Friends
When your dudes or brothers in arms hit you up for backup, appeal to commonly held guy interests or shared memories to show you empathize but still have a choice in agreeing.
Some clever comebacks:
For longtime guy best friends
“I mean…if this favor happens to involve video games, wings, and beer I suppose I can clear my schedule.”
For sports teammates
“As long as this doesn’t jeopardize my starting position in the next big game, I guess I can hear you out.”
For classmates
“Well, well – look who needs help from the guy he copied math homework from all semester!”
Key Takeaways
- Keep it lighthearted! The goal is humor – not humiliation.
- Reference inside jokes or interests you share with the person.
- Leave the door open to graciously decline later if needed.
- Have fun with it! Surprising friends with clever comebacks creates memorable moments.
In Conclusion
Having some rapid-fire funny reactions ready to deploy when asked “Can you do me a favor?” ensures you react with wit instead of reflexively committing to things prematurely.
Hopefully these tips give you laughing matter inspiration to try on friends who come calling with requests next time! Respond with a silly quip, then hear them out cheerfully. Who knows – you might have as much fun helping as you do joking about it!