courtesy laugh 

When someone tells a really long story that really has no point to it at all and at the end you make a little chuckle, giggle, or laugh out of courtesy.

Friends mom: *insert long pointless story here*
You: *chuckle*
Friend: That was such a couresy laugh

courtesy laugh by Lauren was here June 3, 2005

courtesy laugh 

When someone tells an absolutely terrible joke, and no one laughs, you give them a courtesy laugh. This should not be mocking and done very tastefully.

Jim- "...And so the atom says, 'I lost an electron!' And the bartender says, 'Are you sure?' and the atom goes,'I'm Postive!'"

Jake (thinking)- Holy fuck that was a horrible joke, he needs a courtesy laugh

Jake- HA HA HA
*silence*

courtesy laugh by Sextron42 October 5, 2009

courtesy (waiter laugh or bartender laugh) laugh 

when a waiter or bartender is working in a very loud bar or restaurant and cannot completely hear what the customer is saying but they start to laugh when they thought it was a time to insert laughter.
also known as a courtesy laugh when a customer says something at all remotely funny so you use the waiter laugh or bartender laugh to make the customer think they are funny.

I was table-side when the family was talking to me and I started using my "courtesy (waiter laugh or bartender laugh) laugh" when Mr. Young told the same story he has told 45 times previously.

courtesy (waiter laugh or bartender laugh) laugh by dakine mahalo December 2, 2009

Courtesy Laughter 

Courtesy laughter is extended to the boss or someone that believe's they are important any time they say anything that is either remotely funny or not funny at all. Usually heard in board rooms in front of the customer or anyone else that may have influence on project funding.

Boss: "Thanks everybody for coming to the meeting and making me feel important"

Boardroom: "He......he.....he...he...."

Alan (whispering): "Damn, did you hear Jeff? That kiss-ass had the loudest courtesy laughter in the room".

Courtesy Laughter by Dulaney71 August 27, 2014