Is sarcasm common to every culture?

Question

Because in the US, I've never noticed anyone use sarcasm. Ever.

Answer 1

Sarcasm has been around for as long as there has been communication among humans. Hesiod is a GREAT example of ancient Greek sarcasm (what a little ***** he was to his brother!), and Horace basically made it into an art form when it came to fruition among the Romans. It closely parallels satire's development in the ancient world as well.

Incas and other advanced civilizations of South America had their own VERY complex forms of sarcasm. It was also heavily prevalent on the southwestern portion of the continent. We still don't understand all of them today.

After Rome "fell" (read: Rome never fell, just went east with the money to Constantinope and officially schismed the already separated Greek east from the Latin west), satire lost itself for awhile. Especially with those pesky Viking raids of the 9th century, it was really quite hard to find the time to be sarcastic, it seems. It could also be we just lack a good body of work from those times which held more leisurely purpose (which is why we DO see sarcasm in medieval courtly love).

Either way, it wasn't until the Italian renaissance that sarcasm really returned. Britain was especially fond of this sarcasm thing (imagine that), and except during those times where the kings frowned down upon it (Stuart monarchy, anyone?), it flourished. This is the origin of that dry British wit, which is based heavily off a sarcastic culture.

China had a brief stint of sarcasm in the 1700's to 1800's, which was actually popular in its monastic tradition. Much of China's cultural repression (destruction) of the 20th century would wipe this out of their lives, though.

Russia doesn't even have a word for "sarcasm". Isn't that surprising? They like to state the blatantly obvious for something like sarcasm, if not quite the same flavor. Of course, Russia's looong history of cultural indulgence and exploration of societal pleasures and arts serves as a perfect environment for sarcasm, right? Yeah.

... Those are the things I know about. I love my history classes.

Answer 2

It seems to me that sarcasm is more characteristic of Western culture than Eastern culture. I've found that people in Asia tend to react to sarcastic humor with a puzzled expression. My theory is that Western culture is more jaded and cynical, and therefore we have a greater tendency for sarcasm.

I think sarcasm is a fairly modern form of expression. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, do you think he considered writing: "Dear King George, we think you're doing a heck of a job over here in the colonies. Keep up the good work. (BTW, I was being sarcastic--we're declaring our independence)"? I doubt it.

On the other hand, when the people of Paris were starving and Marie Antoinette said, "Let them eat cake" I suppose that would qualify as sarcasm, but it didn't go over very well with the people. It wasn't such a good idea for her to say that, I guess she just lost her head....

Answer 3

I worked with a couple of guys from India for a summer. They never got the sarcasm, but by the end of summer, I think we corupted them enought that they were getting our jokes.

Answer 4

the culture club featuring boy george used sarcasm

Answer 5

Well yeah, sarcasm is used as a joke or in jokes... After all, it's just sarcasm...

Answer 6

Of course.No matter what race or culture you derive from,we are all equally human and being a human is naturally linked to sarcasm.

Answer 7

americans can be sarcastic but since we such an influx of differant cultures here the sarcasim is left to the elite

Answer 8

Some are and they probably have a chip on their shoulder. Somebody, some day will knock it off and they will see stars, Then, they may change.

Answer 9

Here I'll do it for you.

Nooooo. Neeeevvveeerrrr. Noooooo wwaaaayyyy.

Actually, though, I use it all the time. It's my third language.

Answer 10

I don't think many people got that you were being sarcastic... wierd.