The American jokes are funny...but do you honestly think they don't "get it"?

Question

We make fun of the Americans and their government, their greed and their obesity; their arrogance and their stupidity.

The American jokes are funny, but how thick and pompous are WE, really? A lot of brits congratulate themselves for their creative uses of sarcasm and irony, but do we really believe the Americans are so thick that they cannot understand us?

I have read answers from several Americans that have been equally sarcastic and ironic, if not better, than some of our own.

I'm embarrassed everytime some chav goes on about how we're the only ones that really understand humour.

Answer 1

I enjoy American humour. In fact, at the moment I find British humour quite depressing. It seems all the jokes are lavatorial or sexual, there's little wit and it seems as though you can't tell a joke without swearing. There's little wit. I was surprised to see my son watching reruns and he told me he finds modern humour embarrassing, so it's not just an age thing. He's 25.
It is a British affectation that that are the only ones to understand irony.

Answer 2

The English who originally coined the term Soccer, a slang for Association Football. Canadians, Australians, New Zealand and South Africans also call it that. There is a sport already called Football so why confuse people. It's the same sport does it really matter. Finally I think i would make sense not to use stereotypes when talking about people. It's the beautiful game, don't argue about the name.

Answer 3

Have you SEEN friends?! You call that humour?!

Seriously though, there are so many Americans that love British comedies because they are so original and actually funny. Their canned laughter sitcoms don't even come close to the greats such as Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, Red Dwarf and who can forget the fabulous Irish comedy Father Ted?

Just because the Americans can't produce a great comedy doesn't mean that they can't appreciate one!

Answer 4

I'm amazed that you have "American" jokes; I've never heard any "British" jokes. But I do understand your sense of humor & would probably enjoy your American jokes. I will say, though, that your question seems to reflect a sense of superiority on your part.....or am I misreading it?

I do disagree with you on one point; I haven't experienced arrogance amongst my friends nor do I consider them to be stupid. However, I will concede that our president is stupidly arrogant. Is this how we come off when we visit your country? I hope not.

Answer 5

US comedies are written by committees. Every line is worked over and over until they think they have wrung all possible humour from it.

UK comedies are written by one, or at most, two people, and reflect a more individual sense of humour.

You like best what you are used to.

Answer 6

You have American jokes? Really?
Whoa - can you post them?
We don't have British jokes - well, okay, I can think of a few about Scottish people and sheep, but that's it.
I'm serious... I go ask this question now.

Answer 7

We don't understand?
I'm from Canada and basically we have the same humor as the U.S.
and I think we get it, it's just your jokes don't appeal to the majority of us. We like people getting hit, hurt, harmed or getting pranks pulled on them. and most your jokes result just from lots of talking. no really physical humor. So when you ask if we don't get it. Just know that we do, it just doesn't appeal as much to our likes

Answer 8

well I dont know about all that, but I really believe the American Office is 283821093 times better, and I've seen plenty of both to have an opinion, maybe you should all just go get a shower.

Answer 9

....different cultures...of course they will get the humour...most of it....depends on the joke but we do not have the monopoly on sarcasm...no one does...xxx

Answer 10

Thanks for sharing this "glimmer" of hope for U. S. !!!
I feel better already !!!