Ever notice how a man’s chest puffs up a little when a woman laughs at his joke? It’s almost instinctive — that quick grin, the spark in his eyes, the subtle exhale of relief. There’s more going on here than just comedy. Laughter, especially shared laughter, is emotional currency. It’s a social handshake, a silent way of saying, “I see you, I like you, and I’m comfortable with you.”

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