Now That's Funny...Or Is It?
Did you hear the one about the mother-in-law and her homely daughter?
WAIT! Before you tell that joke, do you understand the issues of culture and joking? Are you aware that in some cultures they have strict guidelines for joking relationships? Are you conscious that what may be hilarious to you means nothing to someone else and indeed may be offensive? Do you know that there are whole classes on the anthropology of humor?
Every culture has humor. Laughter is one of God’s gifts. Like the old preacher said, “God has a sense of humor because He made the monkey and a lot of funny looking people.” (That’s a joke - you might get it, many will not). In every social context there are also rules for humor. Is it crude, rude, light, vulgar, clean, political, religious or pejorative? As Bob Hope knew (who is he?), timing is everything. And the most crucial time element in telling a joke is being familiar with your cultural setting. Here are some simple guidelines in telling jokes.
1. Before you tell a joke, get a read on your host. Is he/she gregarious or serious? If they aren’t slapping you on the back and laughing, neither should you. Speaking of “back slapping…”
2. Don’t grab, hug, slap or even touch your host, unless you know them very well. And never…
3. Touch someone of the opposite sex or tell them a joke unless they are lifelong friends.
4. Until you have spent considerable time in the host culture don’t make jokes about politicians, gods or religious symbols. (Which includes using “Jesus Christ” as an expletive.)
5. Never tell ethnic jokes or use ethnic slurs.
6. Stay away from jokes that may only relate to your culture. Not all people understand jokes about blondes, lawyers or Rednecks.
7. In some cultures it is unacceptable for a younger to tell a joke to an elder.
Sometimes people tell jokes because they are nervous, unsure or just as icebreakers. That’s okay, once you know the rules of joking in the culture. Unless you are paid to be a comedian, be friendly but don’t try to be the life of the party.
Did you hear about the mother-in-law and the homely daughter? Well let me tell you, in some countries mother-in-laws are highly revered, and a “homely” girl is one who is warm hearted, domestic and highly sought after. Think about it before you tell your joke.
WAIT! Before you tell that joke, do you understand the issues of culture and joking? Are you aware that in some cultures they have strict guidelines for joking relationships? Are you conscious that what may be hilarious to you means nothing to someone else and indeed may be offensive? Do you know that there are whole classes on the anthropology of humor?
Every culture has humor. Laughter is one of God’s gifts. Like the old preacher said, “God has a sense of humor because He made the monkey and a lot of funny looking people.” (That’s a joke - you might get it, many will not). In every social context there are also rules for humor. Is it crude, rude, light, vulgar, clean, political, religious or pejorative? As Bob Hope knew (who is he?), timing is everything. And the most crucial time element in telling a joke is being familiar with your cultural setting. Here are some simple guidelines in telling jokes.
1. Before you tell a joke, get a read on your host. Is he/she gregarious or serious? If they aren’t slapping you on the back and laughing, neither should you. Speaking of “back slapping…”
2. Don’t grab, hug, slap or even touch your host, unless you know them very well. And never…
3. Touch someone of the opposite sex or tell them a joke unless they are lifelong friends.
4. Until you have spent considerable time in the host culture don’t make jokes about politicians, gods or religious symbols. (Which includes using “Jesus Christ” as an expletive.)
5. Never tell ethnic jokes or use ethnic slurs.
6. Stay away from jokes that may only relate to your culture. Not all people understand jokes about blondes, lawyers or Rednecks.
7. In some cultures it is unacceptable for a younger to tell a joke to an elder.
Sometimes people tell jokes because they are nervous, unsure or just as icebreakers. That’s okay, once you know the rules of joking in the culture. Unless you are paid to be a comedian, be friendly but don’t try to be the life of the party.
Did you hear about the mother-in-law and the homely daughter? Well let me tell you, in some countries mother-in-laws are highly revered, and a “homely” girl is one who is warm hearted, domestic and highly sought after. Think about it before you tell your joke.
posted by RG Lewis at 1:45 AM
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