How To Stop Laughing At An Inappropriate Time

Step 1: Focus

Try biting the inside of your cheek, or the corner of your mouth. This will cause a small amount of pain which will take your focus away from your urge to laugh.

Don't bite so hard that you cause yourself an injury.

You could also try pinching yourself on the arm or the back of the hand.

Step 2: Avoid eye contact

Catching someone's eye, particularly if they see the funny side of things too, may be the only thing needed to set you off.

Avoid eye contact at all costs. Look at the floor, your plate, the wall - anything to stop you making eye contact with anyone.

Step 3: Think of something else

The important thing is to distract yourself from whatever it is that makes you want to laugh. In your head, try reciting your address backwards, saying the 6 times table or naming all the players of the England football squad - in fact, think about anything that will divert you from thinking about the thing you find funny.

Step 4: Excuse yourself

If all else fails, politely make your excuses and leave the room for a few minutes.

In private you can smirk all you like, but don't let other people hear you laughing.

Let it out of your system, take a few deep breaths and return to the room.