Why Do Americans Not Understand Sarcasm / Irony ?..please click for more detail and proof.?

Question

i find it difficult to talk to some Americans ...if I try to be ..cheeky / sarcastic / ironic / double entendre type comment's they get a bit flummoxed ! ...

i asked a question about how.. we should let bush be president.. for a third term.. and i didn't ask it in a normal way.. i asked in a way that would be quite over the top.. but i few seemed to understand..i.e. i was being sarcastic..

i thought ill get some laughs and a few more great points about not letting him continue as president.. but all i got is.. how insane i was..

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlKPDNnBMbor.CApxgU4KAnsy6IX?qid=20060902175749AAGnoLD

if ur American or not American..what do u think.. do u think Americans don't understand sarcasm.. or their just to cleaver for it..

Answer 1

maybe its got something to do with your accent and choice of words.
it takes an extra language skill and knowledge
of local society concepts and slang to deliver
sarcasm or other complex ideas.
instead of trying to understand the punchline
people will think you just dont know how to express yourself.

Answer 2

I am American and find many people understand and appreciate irony and sarcasm. However, I have run across people who don't get it. They are usually the type who don't have a lot of imagination, haven't been taught to think 'out of the box', and tend to take everything literally. Maybe you should try a different group of people.

If you are referring to folks who answer your questions on this site, you should learn to expect this in your answers. For some reason the ones who are shocked, angered or challenged by something that is written are the ones who answer fastest and most. But I am sure you do get a smattering of answers that play on your sarcasm. Are you understanding the sarcasm in their answers?

Answer 3

I'll trade you - two Bush's for a Blair.
You gotta remember, in Iraq, the Bush the son was just trying to finish up what Bush the father failed to do.
I've got some Bush's around my house that I named after White house occupants. There is Rose Bush, George Bush, Azelea Bush, etc.

Answer 4

Talk about a stereotype! Americans don't understand sarcasm? Every single one of us? Have you considered that maybe sarcasm has nothing to do with it. Maybe people feel you are just not that funny.

Answer 5

Its your choice of subject I think. Amazingly, thats not too far over the top for quite a few people. Politics has become so ridiculous that there are people out there who think like that!

Also no one can read your face/body language over the computer. You must remember that.

Answer 6

I think it depends on the person I guess. Maybe those you are talking to are dumb enough to want bush to have a 3rd term.

If you want a place where NO ONE understands sarcasm come and visit me in China.

Answer 7

Hahahaha, yes your question was funny, l think they have a different sense of humour than we do, but at least one good thing it just shows how many Americans are against Bush and that is a good thing.

Answer 8

I don't know know honey but in my world i grew up with it and when someone is being sarcastic i normally let it ride cuz i know the difference.... prolly why my son has such sarcasm in him.....

Answer 9

there are people in every country that don't understand sarcasm. don't stereotype us all as one.
there are stupid people in every country. like people that don't understand that a president only gets two terms

Answer 10

Probably because so many of them have been brainwashed into taking the Bible literally that they take everything else literally as well.