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Is There Such a Thing As a National Sense of Humour?

posted by Fnord666 on Friday May 05 2017, @04:48AM   
from the funny-or-die? dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

We're all aware that there are stereotypes. The British are sharply sarcastic, the Americans are great at physical comedy, and the Japanese love puns. But is humour actually driven by culture to any meaningful extent? Couldn't it be more universal – or depend largely on the individual?

There are some good reasons to believe that there is such a thing as a national sense of humour. But let's start with what we actually have in common, by looking at the kinds of humour that most easily transcend borders.

Certain kinds of humour are more commonly used in circumstances that are international and multicultural in nature – such as airports. When it comes to onoard entertainment, airlines, in particular, are fond of humour that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries for obvious reasons. Slapstick humour and the bland but almost universally tolerable social transgressions and faux pas of Mr Bean permit a safe, gentle humour that we can all relate to. Also, the silent situational dilemmas of the Canadian Just for Laughs hidden camera reality television show has been a staple option for airlines for many years.

These have a broad reach and are probably unlikely to offend most people. Of course, an important component in their broad appeal is that they are not really based on language.

Humor is no laughing matter. Levity can kill. But can it also bind us together?

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Original Submission

• When the only tool you have is a hammer... (Score: 0, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 05 2017, @06:07AM

  by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 05 2017, @06:07AM (#504706)

  Minstrel shows, blonde jokes, race jokes, and so on. These all point to, indeed, a national sense of humor. And that sense of humor is, always, some representation of the dominant group casting its eyes on the lower classes in some way. Ever notice how people think female comediennes aren't funny compared to male comedians? Sexism ingrained in the culture. Ever notice how the Black guy dies first in B-level horror movies? Racism ingrained in the culture. Ever notice how it's the white guys that aren't always comedic relief in a story? Racism, again.
  Yes, different countries have different senses of humor. And they ALWAYS prey upon the unprivileged peoples within that country. That's why Mr. Bean isn't funny here-- because Britain is much, much less racist than here. Same with other countries-- they are much, much more tolerant and thus have senses of humor which are not so sadistic in nature.

  You remind me of the old saying about when everyone around you is asshole, all the time, then maybe it's not actually everyone else who is the problem.

  But by all means, continue on with your crazy rants while observing the world through your lens of racism. It appears to be the only one you have, after all.

  Parent

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