Post by angrytomass on Oct 30, 2008 20:59:18 GMT 1
I have felt for a while now that there is a definate lack of understanding of both myself and robnobs sence of humor, I found this quote on the internet which I belive really sums up the differences and hopfully will lead to more people getting our jokes.
".....an ironic comment will sometimes be met with a perplexed smile by an unwary American. Take this exchange that took place between two friends of mine, one British (B), the other American (A):
B: "I had to go to my grandad's funeral last week."
A: "Sorry to hear that."
B: "Don't be. It was the first time he ever paid for the drinks."
A: "I see."
Now, my American friend was being neither thick nor obtuse here; he simply didn't immediately register the need to bury emotion under humour. This tendency is also apparent in our differing use of disclaimers. When Americans use irony, they will often immediately qualify it as being so, with a jovial "just kidding", even if the statement is outrageous and plainly ironic. For instance...
A: "If you don't come out tonight, I'm going to have you shot... just kidding."
I hope this helps.
I felt that my comment about how the photo shoot went so much better without bruno and gendarth was fairly funny, and was certainly not ment in a nasty way. It was a joke.
Sorry if you took offence but im not going to finish every sentance both on the forum and in game with "only joking"!!!
For those who wish to read the full article the quote is from, it is here:
www.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/feb/10/comedy.television
".....an ironic comment will sometimes be met with a perplexed smile by an unwary American. Take this exchange that took place between two friends of mine, one British (B), the other American (A):
B: "I had to go to my grandad's funeral last week."
A: "Sorry to hear that."
B: "Don't be. It was the first time he ever paid for the drinks."
A: "I see."
Now, my American friend was being neither thick nor obtuse here; he simply didn't immediately register the need to bury emotion under humour. This tendency is also apparent in our differing use of disclaimers. When Americans use irony, they will often immediately qualify it as being so, with a jovial "just kidding", even if the statement is outrageous and plainly ironic. For instance...
A: "If you don't come out tonight, I'm going to have you shot... just kidding."
I hope this helps.
I felt that my comment about how the photo shoot went so much better without bruno and gendarth was fairly funny, and was certainly not ment in a nasty way. It was a joke.
Sorry if you took offence but im not going to finish every sentance both on the forum and in game with "only joking"!!!
For those who wish to read the full article the quote is from, it is here:
www.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/feb/10/comedy.television
