Dry sense of humour?
Oct 7th 2005, 2:42 am
#31
Ivegotta Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 900
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by Maz
American attempts at "dry" humour, cynicism or wit always have to be delivered with the grace of a sledgehammer to make it across to US listeners, sadly...
Oct 7th 2005, 3:15 am
#32
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,271
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by Triumphrob
And they have to say "Just Kidding" so you know its a joke!
Oct 7th 2005, 6:47 am
#33
Ivegotta Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 900
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by Angry White Pyjamas
Were you just kidding then or did you really mean that
Oct 7th 2005, 9:04 am
#34
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Dry sense of humour?
As a Yank, allow me to educate you about my people:
We are taught from an early age to be "nice" and friendly, above all else. Sarcasm in the US is often used as a passive-aggressive method to insult others, rather than as a vehicle for humor strictly for humor's sake as is the case in the UK.
The reason Americans may not seem to "get it" and/or may appear to be offended is they are trying to decode the insult in your comment, and determine the degree to which you intended offense. (Notice our generous use of the "I'm kidding" qualifier for those of use who do use sarcasm just for fun.)
Since we use often sarcasm as a way of communicating nastiness, we are expecting the same from you. Accordingly, Americans tend to believe that every comment uttered has some degree of truth or seriousness intended in it, and equate your sarcasm with you either being arrogant or unfriendly. Therefore, popular humor is more "obvious" and less "subtle" so as to offend as few people as possible, or to make it clear when offensiveness is intended. It's simply a cultural difference, you can decide for yourselves whose cultural spin you prefer.
We are taught from an early age to be "nice" and friendly, above all else. Sarcasm in the US is often used as a passive-aggressive method to insult others, rather than as a vehicle for humor strictly for humor's sake as is the case in the UK.
The reason Americans may not seem to "get it" and/or may appear to be offended is they are trying to decode the insult in your comment, and determine the degree to which you intended offense. (Notice our generous use of the "I'm kidding" qualifier for those of use who do use sarcasm just for fun.)
Since we use often sarcasm as a way of communicating nastiness, we are expecting the same from you. Accordingly, Americans tend to believe that every comment uttered has some degree of truth or seriousness intended in it, and equate your sarcasm with you either being arrogant or unfriendly. Therefore, popular humor is more "obvious" and less "subtle" so as to offend as few people as possible, or to make it clear when offensiveness is intended. It's simply a cultural difference, you can decide for yourselves whose cultural spin you prefer.
Last edited by RoadWarriorFromLP; Oct 7th 2005 at 9:06 am.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:08 am
#35
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
As a Yank, allow me to educate you about my people:
We are taught from an early age to be "nice" and friendly, above all else. Sarcasm in the US is often used as a passive-aggressive method to insult others, rather than as a vehicle for humor strictly for humor's sake as is the case in the UK.
The reason Americans may not seem to "get it" and/or may appear to be offended is they are trying to decode the insult in your comment, and determine the degree to which you intended offense. (Notice our generous use of the "I'm kidding" qualifier for those of use who do use sarcasm just for fun.)
Since we use sarcasm as a way of communicating nastiness, we are expecting the same from you. Accordingly, Americans tend to believe that every comment uttered has some degree of truth or seriousness intended in it, and equate your sarcasm with you either being arrogant or unfriendly. Therefore, popular humor is more "obvious" and less "subtle" so as to offend as few people as possible, or to make it clear when offensiveness is intended. It's simply a cultural difference, you can decide for yourselves whose cultural spin you prefer.
We are taught from an early age to be "nice" and friendly, above all else. Sarcasm in the US is often used as a passive-aggressive method to insult others, rather than as a vehicle for humor strictly for humor's sake as is the case in the UK.
The reason Americans may not seem to "get it" and/or may appear to be offended is they are trying to decode the insult in your comment, and determine the degree to which you intended offense. (Notice our generous use of the "I'm kidding" qualifier for those of use who do use sarcasm just for fun.)
Since we use sarcasm as a way of communicating nastiness, we are expecting the same from you. Accordingly, Americans tend to believe that every comment uttered has some degree of truth or seriousness intended in it, and equate your sarcasm with you either being arrogant or unfriendly. Therefore, popular humor is more "obvious" and less "subtle" so as to offend as few people as possible, or to make it clear when offensiveness is intended. It's simply a cultural difference, you can decide for yourselves whose cultural spin you prefer.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:25 am
#36
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
The reason Americans may not seem to "get it" and/or may appear to be offended is they are trying to decode the insult in your comment, and determine the degree to which you intended offense.
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
Therefore, popular humor is more "obvious" and less "subtle" so as to offend as few people as possible
Originally Posted by RoadWarrierfromLP
It's simply a cultural difference, you can decide for yourselves whose cultural spin you prefer.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:27 am
#37
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
As a Yank, allow me to educate you about my people:
We are taught from an early age to be "nice" and friendly, above all else. Sarcasm in the US is often used as a passive-aggressive method to insult others, rather than as a vehicle for humor strictly for humor's sake as is the case in the UK.
The reason Americans may not seem to "get it" and/or may appear to be offended is they are trying to decode the insult in your comment, and determine the degree to which you intended offense. (Notice our generous use of the "I'm kidding" qualifier for those of use who do use sarcasm just for fun.)
Since we use often sarcasm as a way of communicating nastiness, we are expecting the same from you. Accordingly, Americans tend to believe that every comment uttered has some degree of truth or seriousness intended in it, and equate your sarcasm with you either being arrogant or unfriendly. Therefore, popular humor is more "obvious" and less "subtle" so as to offend as few people as possible, or to make it clear when offensiveness is intended. It's simply a cultural difference, you can decide for yourselves whose cultural spin you prefer.
We are taught from an early age to be "nice" and friendly, above all else. Sarcasm in the US is often used as a passive-aggressive method to insult others, rather than as a vehicle for humor strictly for humor's sake as is the case in the UK.
The reason Americans may not seem to "get it" and/or may appear to be offended is they are trying to decode the insult in your comment, and determine the degree to which you intended offense. (Notice our generous use of the "I'm kidding" qualifier for those of use who do use sarcasm just for fun.)
Since we use often sarcasm as a way of communicating nastiness, we are expecting the same from you. Accordingly, Americans tend to believe that every comment uttered has some degree of truth or seriousness intended in it, and equate your sarcasm with you either being arrogant or unfriendly. Therefore, popular humor is more "obvious" and less "subtle" so as to offend as few people as possible, or to make it clear when offensiveness is intended. It's simply a cultural difference, you can decide for yourselves whose cultural spin you prefer.
If I wanted to offend someone, I wouldn't be doing it in a jokey manner.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:34 am
#38
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Rushman, I actually appreciate that many Brits have good senses of humor. Thanks for showing us that not all of them do -- nicely done, really.
Manc, I'm simply giving all of you a few insights and nuances about the American character and the social code. You can take it or leave it, but in "nice" cultures such as the US or Japan, jabs made at others are generally made indirectly, not overtly. Contrary to what some of you may believe, Yanks don't get in peoples' faces about everything.
Manc, I'm simply giving all of you a few insights and nuances about the American character and the social code. You can take it or leave it, but in "nice" cultures such as the US or Japan, jabs made at others are generally made indirectly, not overtly. Contrary to what some of you may believe, Yanks don't get in peoples' faces about everything.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:37 am
#39
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
Manc, I'm simply giving all of you a few insights and nuances about the American character and the social code. You can take it or leave it, but in "nice" cultures such as the US or Japan, jabs made at others are generally made indirectly, not overtly. Contrary to what some of you may believe, Yanks don't get in peoples' faces about everything.
give me a break.
America doesn't know how to have a laugh. Takes itself FAR to seriously, and is generally up it's own arse.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:38 am
#40
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Well, nothing is preventing you from living in Manchester, then. Piss off, why don't you?
Last edited by RoadWarriorFromLP; Oct 7th 2005 at 9:40 am.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:42 am
#41
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
Well, nothing is preventing you from living in Manchester, then. Piss off, why don't you?
Oct 7th 2005, 9:44 am
#42
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
Contrary to what some of you may believe, Yanks don't get in peoples' faces about everything.
Oct 7th 2005, 9:45 am
#43
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
Well, nothing is preventing you from living in Manchester, then. Piss off, why don't you?
Oct 7th 2005, 9:48 am
#44
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP
Well, nothing is preventing you from living in Manchester, then. Piss off, why don't you?
Most of us are over here because of our Yank other half's, and yes alote are planning there return home 
Oct 7th 2005, 9:48 am
#45
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Dry sense of humour?
Excellent.... 3 posts and going for the jugular already 
