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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?
(Score: 1, Flamebait) by Phoenix666 on Friday May 05 2017, @02:23PM (5 children)
Pfah. "Dutch" is when you make the girl split the check with you at the end of the date. Everybody knows that.
The correct answer to the question, "What do you call someone from the Netherlands?" is, "Huh?"
The right response to, "'Deutsch' is the language of the Germans," is "I'm sorry, but I don't speak Spanish. I mean, I took it for three years in high school, but..."
And Europe? We totally saved yer asses. America, fuck yeah!
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 2, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 05 2017, @02:36PM (4 children)
"Dutch" is when you make the girl split the check with you at the end of the date.
Scotch is when she pays the whole bill.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 05 2017, @03:48PM (2 children)
What is it when you drag her behind a dumpster and rape her?
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday May 05 2017, @04:16PM (1 child)
20 to life?
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 05 2017, @04:36PM
20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life
(Score: 2) by Jeremiah Cornelius on Friday May 05 2017, @08:28PM
"A Scotsman took his new young lady friend to the boardwalk pier, and arm-in-arm, they enjoyed the afternoon sights and sounds of the seaside. After passing by the Aquarium and the roundabout, neither of which he took notice, his companion exclaimed, 'They're cooking up chips, doesn't that smell delicious?'
Not one to miss a hint, the Scotsman replied, 'Aye, they do! If you're game, we can stand a bit closer for a better smell of 'em!'"
You're betting on the pantomime horse...