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Humour & Irony
Do Canadians get the British sense of irony? what about our sometimes rather sarcastic/dry sense of humour?
Can any members give any funny examples of British/Canadian characteristics clashing? Would be good to hear some stories |
Re: Humour & Irony
I've been working here several years and I have a typical British dry and sarcastic humour, but it only works with a few Canadians. Many of them just don't get it. I've had to tone down a lot and go back to more basic school age stuff.
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by pdarwin
(Post 9384474)
I've been working here several years and I have a typical British dry and sarcastic humour, but it only works with a few Canadians. Many of them just don't get it. I've had to tone down a lot and go back to more basic school age stuff.
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Re: Humour & Irony
Some do, some dont. Its not like its universally loved in the UK either.
Fortunately my wife gets it. (most of the time). |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9384535)
Some do, some dont. Its not like its universally loved in the UK either.
Fortunately my wife gets it. (most of the time). |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Juliet C
(Post 9384544)
Unfortunately my husband does not, and he is British!! :)
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9384535)
Fortunately my wife gets it. (most of the time).
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9384535)
Some do, some don't. Its not like its universally loved in the UK either.
Fortunately my wife gets it. (most of the time). |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Oakvillian
(Post 9384547)
Yeah, yeah, quit the bragging there... does she understand the humour and irony?
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Re: Humour & Irony
I consider the fact that my Canadian wife has developed her own dry wit and sarcasm, one of my greatest achievements. If you like, I have been a sarcastic Henry Higgins to her Eliza Dolittle.;)
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
(Post 9384718)
I consider the fact that my Canadian wife has developed her own dry wit and sarcasm, one of my greatest achievements. If you like, I have been a sarcastic Henry Higgins to her Eliza Dolittle.;)
If someone walks into a revolving door or gets whacked with a wooden bat, that's German humour. Not much sophistication at all. Some Canadians are like that too. |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
(Post 9384718)
I consider the fact that my Canadian wife has developed her own dry wit and sarcasm, one of my greatest achievements. If you like, I have been a sarcastic Henry Higgins to her Eliza Dolittle.;)
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by pdarwin
(Post 9384739)
My wife is German born and bred. After twenty odd years of marriage I'm just beginning to see some miniscule results of my training her in British humour recognition, but it's not easy, as you can imagine.
If someone walks into a revolving door or gets whacked with a wooden bat, that's German humour. Not much sophistication at all. Some Canadians are like that too. Edit : and innuendo |
Re: Humour & Irony
Most British humour is based around laughing at people and their foibles. That is not very Canadian.
Use sarcasm sparingly. It is OK if people know you but otherwise some people will think you are just being rude. |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by JonboyE
(Post 9384846)
Most British humour is based around laughing at people and their foibles. That is not very Canadian.
Use sarcasm sparingly. It is OK if people know you but otherwise some people will think you are just being rude. |
Re: Humour & Irony
A lot of British comedy seems to be playing with roles and signs to point out the absurdity of life. Like Harry Enfield's posh builders or the Python sketch where Sartre's working class British wife writes all his work because he's too depressed. Although I do think some comics in the UK are just turning nasty these days for shock value, and as my nan would say, 'If you haven't got anything nice to say, then **** off.'
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Re: Humour & Irony
The back bone of my corporate style is sarcasm and flippancy so I was a tad concerned when I got a job here, but not to worry everyone 'got' me!
I found the thing I/they struggled with most was my very British expressions, such as: Bobs your uncle We had a right old ding dong You made a right old dogs dinner out of that Donkeys years Up the duff When something didn't quite go my way, and I said 'do me a favour' (in an Eastenders styley) Faff about Zonked Ta (signing emails ta very muchly was always fun) Sods law Rat arsed Pear shaped Saying something is 'pants' as in rubbish Chuffed to bits Dodgy :) |
Re: Humour & Irony
Canadian's just don't understand toilet humour. I put cellophane foil over my wife's grans toilet the other day and you could have heard a pin drop once she stopped screaming........ :thumbdown:
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 9384940)
Although I do think some comics in the UK are just turning nasty these days for shock value, and as my nan would say, 'If you haven't got anything nice to say, then **** off.'
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Re: Humour & Irony
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Re: Humour & Irony
Clearly Mr Caine cant take numerous hints and requests to post in plain English.
If he continues to post giberish when his ten days are up then it will be a permanent ban next time. |
Re: Humour & Irony
I run a small trucking company, and do loads for 1 of the big supermarket chaines, cant say which but the President does his own commercials.
Well last Thursday we picked up a load in Calgary destined for Winnipeg a rush load by all accounts, what is refered to as an Inter DC transfer. After loading my contact in Calgary who is in charge of organising the delivery appointments informed me she was unable to get a delivery time for Friday and that i should call again on Friday to get a time ?? Friday morning I made said call only to be informed we can unload this rush shipment on May 25 1pm:confused::blink: So I sent an email to all departments informing them of the unload termine and adding my sarcastic comment " I,think the products sell by date will expire before we get unloaded":rofl: this set off a flury of worried and disturbed inter departmental emails causing finger pointing between managers and supervisors for about 45mins. Not 1 of them got it:o:o even after i sent a 2nd email:rofl: |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by JonboyE
(Post 9384846)
Most British humour is based around laughing at people and their foibles. That is not very Canadian.
Use sarcasm sparingly. It is OK if people know you but otherwise some people will think you are just being rude. |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
(Post 9385594)
All joking aside that is sound advice. It's actually sound advice for using humour with those you work with and especially those that work for you. Your friends may appreciate your dry wit, your team members will likely think you are a sarcastic prick. Been there. Done that.
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by JonboyE
(Post 9384846)
Most British humour is based around laughing at people and their foibles. That is not very Canadian.
Use sarcasm sparingly. It is OK if people know you but otherwise some people will think you are just being rude. |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 9385608)
I'd like to second that as it's also true with insecure undergraduates. One might like to think one is being righteously funny and making clever references to The Mary Whitehouse Experience sketches but there's a point when crying students leaving gets you down a bit.
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Re: Humour & Irony
I got to admit at first british humor went totally over my head, but after being with my wife, who I have to say is very quick witted and has a dry sense of humor, i now can occasionally come out with it myself, practising on my brother as we speak. :rofl:
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Re: Humour & Irony
I suggest watching "In The Loop".... apropos nothing in particular.
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Re: Humour & Irony
You cant bum a fag here without people getting upset!
They dont get "lairy" they think you are talking about Larry ! And if I say something is pants they think i mean trousers, not that its crap! Larruped didnt translate well either! |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by ducktastic
(Post 9385075)
I found the thing I/they struggled with most was my very British expressions, such as:
Bobs your uncle We Canadians surprisingly do know and use this one. At least I have for the last 48 years We had a right old ding dong You made a right old dogs dinner out of that See above Donkeys years Again, see aboove Up the duff Starting to get a bit repetitive, but see above When something didn't quite go my way, and I said 'do me a favour' (in an Eastenders styley) Faff about Zonked Um, more repetition Ta (signing emails ta very muchly was always fun) Yeah, we've heard this one before Sods law This too Rat arsed Pear shaped Saying something is 'pants' as in rubbish Chuffed to bits Dodgy Nothing unique with this either :) |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Dorothy
(Post 9386267)
It may surprise some, but a lot of Canadians are actually of British descent! We speak English, watch British TV and movies and some of us have actually been to the UK :eek:
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 9384940)
A lot of British comedy seems to be playing with roles and signs to point out the absurdity of life. Like Harry Enfield's posh builders or the Python sketch where Sartre's working class British wife writes all his work because he's too depressed. Although I do think some comics in the UK are just turning nasty these days for shock value, and as my nan would say, 'If you haven't got anything nice to say, then **** off.'
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by ducktastic
(Post 9386279)
Loving that this thread is about humor and irony!
It's HUMOUR. |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Dorothy
(Post 9386267)
It may surprise some, but a lot of Canadians are actually of British descent! We speak English, watch British TV and movies and some of us have actually been to the UK :eek:
I'd agree, though, that irony often goes straight over the heads of cradle Anglos. |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon
(Post 9386173)
You cant bum a fag here without people getting upset!
They dont get "lairy" they think you are talking about Larry ! And if I say something is pants they think i mean trousers, not that its crap! Larruped didnt translate well either! |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by pdarwin
(Post 9386939)
humor? HUMOR? Have you even been paying attention?
It's HUMOUR. Just re-read that sentence and I guess I must of assimilated a bit after all! |
Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Gremmie
(Post 9387143)
Guess that must be something new as ive never heard of that:blink::blink:
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Alan2005
(Post 9387430)
It's from the 90's. Not exactly new - in fact (sorry ladies) it dates the people that use it.
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by Alan2005
(Post 9387430)
It's from the 90's. Not exactly new - in fact (sorry ladies) it dates the people that use it.
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Re: Humour & Irony
Originally Posted by ducktastic
(Post 9386279)
Loving that this thread is about humor and irony!
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