Editor's example
You get to the office before everyone. A coworker walks in and jokes about it.
Wow, you're here early. Did you sleep here?
Tone: Light · Humor
○ Replies that work
Shh — don't tell anyone about the pillow under my desk.
Why it works: Playing along with the joke and making it bigger turns a light jab into a shared laugh.
Early bird gets the quiet coffee machine.
Why it works: A twist on a familiar saying explains the early start without sounding defensive or smug.
× Replies to avoid
Some of us actually work.
It turns a friendly joke into a dig, and now the coworker has to defend themselves.
Whatever.
It shuts the conversation down and reads as annoyed, even if you are just tired.
Practice prompts
- “Burning the midnight oil again?”
- “Did you even go home last night?”