I have lived in England for a year, and I can plainly say, I love it. I feel that Americans need to adopt British humor, as many do not seem to understand it whatsoever. (In fact, when this nation is characterized by a pathetically "funny" show such as Friends, it's saying something.) ( On the contrary, has anyone seen Fawlty Towers?...Exactly.)
I was nonchalantly perusing the "sarcasm" thread and I read a post regarding the similarities between American sarcasm and commonplace British humor. However this poster insinuated that sarcasm and British humor are indeed "offensive" or "crude."
How is this true? British humor derives from instantaneous thinking. In fact, this form of comedy requires a quick mind in order to respond to the individual. There is no "pre-planning" or anything that can be characterized as "crude." It requires a deal of intelligence on the individual's behalf. Only seemingly quick people can even handle it.
All in all, British humor is hilarious
2006-08-23 09:57:16 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
To poster 3: "Mr. Bean" is not cult British humor. Sheesh....
2006-08-23 10:02:10 · update #1
Why, thank you.
I am a Brit living abroad and I really miss the British sense of humour more than anything else. To me, it is subtle, witty and intelligent... but we can be very crude.
One of the things that I think defines British humour is the satire and irony. I think it comes from having a monarchy and therefore strong class consciousness. As a result of this, anything that sets itself up as serious or pompous in any way is in for ridicule - the royal family, politicians, experts, bosses, the wealthy, academics, the French...! if you stick your head above the crowd it's going to get chopped off. It's a bit of a double edged sword because we can both admire and put down at the same time.
If you want to understand more, there is a good book out called Watching the British that has a chapter on humour.
It's good to know that our humour can be understood outside of the UK, I have many British friends who, like me, are always having to explain themselves to offended parties "IT WAS A JOKE". We laugh at ourselves all the time and so feel we are perfectly within our rights to laugh at everyone else. That could explain your poster...
2006-08-23 10:16:35 · answer #1 · answered by Empea 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I love it! I too have been living in the UK for just over a year and British humor is FUNNY. You're right about having a quick mind to understand the humor. I think most people don't understand it and they do find it vulgar and rude but then again alot of people are closed minded. I'm an american and I've always loved British humor for as long as I can remember. Give me Benny Hill any day or even The Goodies! I have two more years left until I move...so sad but for now I'm going to enjoy all the British humor I can stand!
Cheers!
2006-08-23 10:09:50 · answer #2 · answered by peg 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
British Humor is hilarious. Unfortunately Americans seem to think that British humor is merely imitating and doing something stupid. It's not. British humor relies on the bizarre and the odd to generate laughs, with some idiocy thrown in for good measure. British humor is rarely rude - getting a joke at someone else's expense is not clever.
I think that some people mistake buffoons like Cowell, Morgan and Robinson as being examples of British 'Humor'. None of these individuals is humorous they are just ... rude. Sarcasm is sometimes used but usually to deflate the pompous and overbearing or the snob which still lurks in British society.
2006-08-23 10:08:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I love British humor. It is hilarious. Love Faulty Towers; Keeping Up Appearances; John Cleese; The Beatles' wit, charm and humor; Two Fat Ladies; Life of Brian; Monty Python; Dr. Who.
Did you know that Geo. Harrison financed and created Dark Horse Films, the company that produced Life of Brian and others. Eric Idyl and John Cleese, etc. were his good friends.
2006-08-23 10:09:46 · answer #4 · answered by Rhonda 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I adore British humor. You are right...you have to be quick to spot it. It is often inserted in an innocuous sentence or slipped into everyday dialog. I love British mysteries for example. They are always interlaced with a fine sense of humor. They seem to be able to poke fun at the human condition and not take themselves too seriously. My own sense of humor can run along these lines...and it is seldom understood.
2006-08-23 10:06:30 · answer #5 · answered by riverhawthorne 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It's great!!I love the "quick tongued" comedy and like you said most Americans aren't quick enough to "get" it,I have always liked British comedy,I am the most crude chick around,I don't consider British comedy to be crude,it's genius!!
2006-08-23 10:11:49 · answer #6 · answered by ~Misty.babydoll~ 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think there is room in this world for both American & British humor.
Having said that, I also think "Fawlty Towers" is hilarious, and I think that John Cleese is absolutely brilliant! (Wasn't he running for political office in Southern California at some point?)
By far, though, my favorite has to be the dead parrot skit from Monty Python.
2006-08-23 10:01:39 · answer #7 · answered by oaksterdamhippiechick 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
LOVE IT, Rowan Atkinson is an absolute genius.....
If you haven't check out
Blackadder
Thin Blue line
Mr. Bean
Not the nine o'clock news
Peter Cook and Co. (with john cleese)
2006-08-23 10:02:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Black Adder/Monty Python/Fawlty Towers and so much more. Thank you Brits for so much laughter.
2006-08-23 10:04:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Benny Hill was funny...and thats all I've been exposed to, besides Graham Kerr...LOL!
2006-08-23 10:04:09 · answer #10 · answered by egger46 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋