The Low-Status Secret - Why Being Relatable Wins Every Time
Want to connect with people? Stop trying to sound impressive. Hasan Minhaj cracked the code: storytelling thrives on relatability. Here’s why embracing low-status moments makes you more likable, funnier, and way more influential.
Why High-Status Storytelling Fails
Here’s the problem: nobody actually likes a show-off.
You know the type—the guy at a dinner party who turns every conversation into his own personal TED Talk. The one who makes “I just got back from Italy” sound like he climbed Everest in flip-flops.
It’s the same mistake people make when they try too hard to be impressive. They list their credentials, flex their wealth, or talk like they’re an authority figure—without realizing that high-status storytelling actually pushes people away.
Why?
- It creates distance. Nobody relates to a billionaire talking about his third yacht.
- It feels inauthentic. People can smell a forced flex from a mile away.
- It lacks humor. Most of the time, high-status stories come off as stiff and ego-driven.
So, what’s the fix? Go low-status.
2. Hasan Minhaj’s “Low-Status Game” Rule
Hasan Minhaj, the comedian and storyteller extraordinaire, cracked the code:
“Comedy is a low-status game.”
Translation? If you want to be engaging, lean into self-deprecation, vulnerability, and relatability.
Low-Status vs. High-Status: A Real-Life Example
❌ High-Status Flex:
“I built a seven-figure business, and I’m here to share my wisdom.”
✅ Low-Status Win:
“So I totally bombed my first business and lost all my money—let me tell you what I learned.”
Which one do you actually want to hear?
The second one. Every time. Because it’s real. It’s human. It makes you want to lean in instead of tune out.
Hasan Minhaj applies this even in stand-up.
- He doesn’t come out and say, “I’m a famous comedian with a Netflix deal.”
- He starts with self-deprecating humor—like talking about how his doctor told him his sperm was basically useless. (Seriously.)
That’s low-status magic. It instantly connects with people.
3. The Brussels Sprouts Story: A Case Study in Relatability
Let’s talk about Shaan Puri.
Shaan told a ridiculously simple story about trying to cook Brussels sprouts for his mom to prove he was an “adult.”
Does this sound like an epic, life-changing event? Nope.
But that’s exactly why it worked.
Why This Story Won the Crowd:
✅ It was real. He actually wanted to impress his mom.
✅ It was relatable. Everyone has struggled to cook something simple.
✅ It had a low-stakes obstacle. A tiny challenge—cooking Brussels sprouts—became the battle of his life.
The result?
People loved it. They weren’t just listening; they were feeling the moment.
And that’s the secret. People don’t relate to “big wins.” They relate to small, awkward, everyday struggles.
How to Win with Low-Status Storytelling
If you want to be likable, engaging, and memorable, stop trying to impress people and start making them feel something.
The best stories aren’t about big wins. They’re about small, painfully relatable struggles that make people laugh, nod, and say, "Oh my god, same."
Here’s how to master low-status storytelling:
1. Start with a Relatable Struggle
People don’t care about your million-dollar success story. But they will care if you tell them about the time you:
✅ Burned your dinner trying to be a gourmet chef
✅ Bombed your driving test in the first five minutes
✅ Sent a screenshot to the wrong person (we’ve all been there)
Why?
- It’s universal. Everyone has had a dumb, embarrassing moment.
- It’s human. We all make mistakes—sharing yours makes you more relatable.
- It builds instant connection. When people relate to your struggle, they root for you.
📌 Pro tip: The smaller the problem, the funnier it is.
- "I wanted to impress my date, so I ordered in French. Turns out I asked for ‘the bathroom’ instead of ‘the steak.’"
- "I tried to look cool at the gym, but I fell off the treadmill instead."
It’s not about what happened—it’s about how much it mattered to you at the time.
2. Add Self-Deprecation
Nobody likes a bragger. But everyone loves someone who can laugh at themselves.
❌ Bad storytelling:
“I absolutely crushed my speech. People were hanging on my every word.”
✅ Low-status win:
“I blacked out halfway through my speech and have no idea what I said. People clapped, though, so I guess it went okay?”
Why this works:
- It makes you likable. Nobody wants to hear you brag, but everyone loves a humble disaster.
- It lowers defenses. Self-deprecating humor makes people relax and enjoy the story.
- It’s way funnier. A perfect success story is boring. A near-miss is gold.
📌 Pro tip: Exaggerate your failure for effect.
- Instead of “I got lost,” say: "I got so lost, Google Maps just gave up on me."
- Instead of “I made a bad first impression,” say: "I was so awkward, I might be banned from that coffee shop forever."
3. Make Your Audience Feel Something
A great story isn’t about what happened. It’s about how it felt.
Boring: “I was nervous before my big meeting.”
🔥 Better: “I was sweating like a guilty man in a lie detector test.”
Boring: “I was excited to see my favorite band.”
🔥 Better: “I felt like I just won the lottery—except the lottery was a slightly burnt piece of toast.”
People don’t remember facts. They remember feelings.
- If you were anxious, make it absurdly dramatic.
- If you were excited, make it cartoonishly over-the-top.
📌 Pro tip: Use unexpected comparisons to paint a picture.
- Instead of “I was scared,” say: "I was sweating so much, I basically turned into a human Slip ‘N Slide."
- Instead of “I was excited,” say: "I had the same energy as a puppy seeing its owner after five minutes."
4. Keep the Stakes Low but Meaningful
The best low-status stories are about tiny problems that feel huge.
Think about:
➡️ Fighting a vegetable (Shaan Puri vs. Brussels sprouts)
➡️ Trying to look cool and failing spectacularly
➡️ A tiny mistake snowballing into an awkward disaster
The trick is to make small stakes feel high.
- "All I wanted was to impress my mom… but I was fighting against a vegetable."
- "I just wanted to sound smart… and then I mispronounced ‘entrepreneur’ in front of 100 people."
📌 Pro tip: The more ridiculously important you make your tiny problem seem, the funnier it is.
Why Low-Status Stories Win
At the end of the day, people don’t connect with perfection. They connect with real.
If you want to be more engaging, likable, and memorable, stop trying to be impressive. Be relatable.
- Embrace your small struggles.
- Laugh at yourself.
- Make people feel something.
- Turn tiny problems into unforgettable moments.
Because the best stories aren’t the ones that make people admire you.
They’re the ones that make people see themselves in you.
Practical Tips: Applying the Low-Status Secret in Everyday Life
Low-status storytelling isn’t just for comedians. It’s for:
✅ Public speakers (Want the audience to actually listen? Start with a funny, low-status anecdote.)
✅ Marketers & content creators (Want more engagement? Make your audience feel like you’re one of them.)
✅ Job interviews (Want to stand out? Show humility with a self-deprecating success story.)
✅ Networking & socializing (Want people to remember you? Tell a weird, funny, real-life struggle.)
🔥 3 Quick Ways to Use Low-Status Storytelling Today:
- In conversations: Next time someone asks, “How’s your day?”—skip the generic response. Tell a small, ridiculous struggle instead.
- On social media: Post a funny, low-status moment instead of a flex. People engage way more with “I totally failed at this” than “Look how great I am.”
- At work: Use low-status humor in meetings—admitting a small blunder makes you more relatable, not less competent.
Final Thoughts
People don’t connect with perfect. They connect with real.
If you want people to listen, remember, and like you, embrace the low-status secret.
- Be self-deprecating.
- Tell small but emotional stories.
- Make your audience feel something.
Because at the end of the day, the best stories aren’t the ones that impress. They’re the ones that make us laugh, relate, and say:
"OMG, same."