Why do A LOT of Americans struggle with British humour?

Question

Before you start.
Not generalising, I said A LOT of Americans, not all.

Answer 1

I've no idea, I think sarcasm has a lot to do with it!



They just don't get it!

Answer 2

Humour works by appealing to your common experiences, cultural references and reactions. Because our social and educational make up are similar we find conversation with Americans easy but these references are also different enough that what is a joke in one situation does not translate to another. This is why we as Brits see American humour as childish because the only humour that needs no reference tends to be slapstick so translates the easiest and the more subtle jokes are lost in translation.

Answer 3

Not sure which Americans you've been talking to, but I'm American, and almost everyone I've met absolutely loves British humor. There are abundant references to it in many of the daily conversations I have. Not a day seems to go by without somebody making references to various books or TV programs, and it's hard to go anywhere without having someone quoting from a Monty Python sketch. As for those who don't understand it, perhaps they're thrown by the accents, or are put off by the rather dry nature of some of the humor.

Answer 4

Generally I think it's because they have a dramatically less pronounced sense of irony than the English, on which much of the best English humour depends for its bite. Some say the Americans have no sense of humour. I think it's true to say that they are far more serious about success and failure than the English, and their rather heavy downbeat humour is a reflection of this when it works best. I know, you only asked...

Answer 5

i'm American and that i continuously enjoyed watching British exhibits mutually with retaining up Appearances, ideal kit, wellbeing care professional Who (notwithstanding it incredibly isn't any longer completely a comedy) very practically something to do with Monty Python, And Now for something thoroughly different, and existence of Brian in simple terms to call an incredibly few. i like John Cleese, and Eric Idle between many others besides. Even some present day British exhibits i come across humorous or a minimum of exciting. i think of the adaptation is, in simple terms like in some American exhibits, I dislike maximum insulting, impolite, loud or brash, disgusting, and in simple terms down precise nasty humor. I desire the greater "classic" humor and on occasion those human beings in simple terms bypass way too far attempting to be humorous. additionally, it would in simple terms be a humorous tale that ought to easily make experience to a community approximately England or human beings from there the place we are able to possibly no longer likely understand. it would be like telling some American political humorous tale to somebody from yet another usa who does not incredibly understand something approximately that style of element.

Answer 6

Because our sense of humour is more developed, they didn't start laughing at Benny Hill until 20 years after we stopped laughing at him. We are more quirky and see the world differently.

You have to remember that they are a young and unsophisticated country, full of insecurities, having broken the umbilical cord from their mother too early and so they flounder around trying to feel important in the world, like a teenager bursting with hormones and no idea what to do with them.

Answer 7

Subtler,dryer,less physical,very different kinds of humour, I remember seeing The life of Brian with some American friends.I was falling about and they were laughing at me laughing.Give them Benny Hill or Mr. Bean,they get it all no problem.

Answer 8

Different culture, they weren't brought up with British humour, so don't often get it.

And Cheeky, it's spelt "humour". You do speak the ENGLISH language after all.

Answer 9

Yeah but no, but yeah, but no but...I think the biggest problem, is the difference in slang.. also, you have so many regional dialects that it is quite often very difficult to understand what is being said..and when you can, there is the slang issue.. I am a Canadian, married to an Englishman, and I quite often struggle to understand him and we have been together for yonks.

Answer 10

I think it has a lot to do with the vocabulary. Many dont understand the jargon, slang, streetwords used in th UK.
Me? I get most of it. I love Monty python, Red dwarf etc.

Answer 11

Americans struggle to grasp anything outside their home enviroment...as do alot of us Brits, although we do lap up the yanky knee slappers don't we.