Triumphrob

Dear all
This has probably been done before, sorry if thats the case.
Has anyone else noticed that after an American says something they think is funny, they have to say "Just kidding" or "Just joking" after it. I can only assume they have to say it so other people know it was meant to be funny, as it usually isnt?
Rob

Chopper-Chris

I'm always very amused in resturants, if you say 'thank you' its absolutley compulsory for the waiter/ress to say 'you're welcome' sometimes I count the number of times I get 'your welcome' in one sitting...

it doesn't take much to amuse me

Pigtails

No I haven't you wanker.

Just kidding

Maz

I think the majority of Americans I've met can't grasp humour very well, not even their own, so they have to point it out if they're making a joke, otherwise you might think they're being serious. Yeah, right! LOL I think it's quite pathetic a lot of the time, but I just tend not to notice it now.

Duncan Roberts

What I find funny is how they use the word kidding in inappropriate situations. Eg.
"Why are you limping?"
"well about 6 months ago I was crossing the road and I was hit by a car. It messed up my leg pretty badly and at one point they thought I might loose it. But after a lot of therapy and perseverance I'm finally up on my feet and walking again, but I'll walk with a limp for the rest of my life."
"You're kidding"
What do they expect? The person to turn round and be like "Can't catch you out can I! Still, pretty funny huh?"

strim

I recived an email with "read with sarcastic tone, please" in parentheses after a comment. I had automatically assumed was sarcastic. I also know someone who is always saying "just kidding" after a joke. I think they are petrified of offending anyone.

ImHere

Yep, and I love watching the faces when I use standard Brit Sarcasm/Irony while they try to work out if I am "Just Kidding" or not. Oooh the hours of mindless offence you can cause. If you dont like someone you can be sarcastically offensive then walk away without letting on if you are "Just Kidding" or not.

franc111s

Wit is the word and they don't have it..... I know it's the lowest form of sarcasm and my wife wonders why I bother with it as it rarely gets anything other than a blank stare !!

ladyofthelake

It's the same for sitcoms too. They have to put in the canned laughter or nobody would ever know which bits were funny.

rincewind

A bit like Mr Bean.

snowbunny

The cinemas are very quiet when comedies are shown in America.

Celtic_Angel

*lol* tell me about it they have some lame Brit comedy's on PBS overhere...the canned laughter would put any U.S show to shame

Celtic_Angel

that's just manners that is

I say "you're welcome" all the time now...it's as if it's impolite not to

snowbunny

You are living in the South.... "yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir, please ma'am....."

Yorkieabroad

Ha - I play that one at the supermarket checkout with my nearly 4 year old....he has been heard to shout on the way out the door "yeah, you got 17 today Daddy". Thats our record, and we're kinda proud of it (we have low expectations, clearly!). I'm just dreading the day someone asks him what he's talking about cos the little beggar'll tell them!!