I want to read and comment on the joke and I could not find where it is posted. I want to ask any of our collegues. Unfortunately our system doesnot show who is online. this is a serious limitation of this system - that is required as one important facility by Online team.

Please indicate me any one online. Better to pop up me by skype or e-mail.

Temtim

Yes, I forwarded this joke in an attempt to add a lighter aspect into the cross-cultural research that we've been sinking our teeth into. However, because of the possibility of offending someone, I also provided the context in which I had retrieved the joke, i.e. the paper that used it as its introduction to deal with exo- and introspection of European cultural selves.

It turned out that those who responded so far have reacted as if they understood the self-deprecating humor (I, French expatriate, submitted this joke about Europeans) for what it was, and were happy to share other they found in the same level/registry of self-deprecating humor. Clint asks a really interesting question regarding the relevance or clarity of the joke to non-European colleagues. I am really curious to hear or read their reaction on this.

Humor is different in France than in the U.S. in that political correctness and "religiousness" is a concept completely inexistent in France (at least when I was there 15 years ago), although the degree of "un-reverence" is different for each. While one is free in most circles to make satirical jokes about our political leaders, it is less acceptable toward religious leaders (a sort of superstitious reaction) no matter how justifiable. For what I've heard and seen around me in the 15 years in the U.S. (Midwest and California), political correctness and religiousness dictate quite strongly what would or should come out of ones mouth. Consequences range from being kicked out of a circle/political or religious affiliation to clear condemnation from the heavens or full blackballing. (not me, but I know of).

I thought that the article that listed the American' s cultural expectations unto others was a good starting point to understand where the jokes came from and how they might be construed by a puritan background, in regards to American jokes, as well as through what prism they understand other cultural jokes.

Marcus' reference to Borat is very interesting. While I have not watched the whole movie, I understand that his jokes were insulting because he betrayed the trust of his hosts. He lied about being a foreigner and so, his cultural "jokes" were no longer genuinely cultural mis-steps, but chosen actions that were knowingly insulting. I agree with Marcus that the movie gives credit a lot more to the American population for its immediate trust and welcoming of the foreigner than to Borat's efforts to display certain unflattering aspects of American society (which he wittingly staged by his actions, in the first place).

Mr. Marcus Duveskog

A difference I have noticed a couple of times in East Africa is that some of my humor can be offensive and not at all funny. For instance the use of Irony and nasty humor. I remember especially this English person and I who used have mean jokes about each other in Tanzania and how everyone around us was chocked how we could be so nasty at each other. When using irony always have to point out being ironic to not cause confusion, which often leads to confusion - How can you say something and mean the complete opposite, it doesn't make sense... However I know my humor can be a bit bizarre even in a Swedish context.

I came to think of a movie, some of you might have seen "Borat" where this guy is pretending to be from Kazakstan giving a strange impression of cultural differences between US and Kazakstan. This movie was very offensive and he often crosses the line of what anyone would find funny. What stroke me watching this movie is how much tolerance for cultural differences most Americans in the movie showed. When thinking about it I also realize the advantage of being a foreigner - I can always defend myself by saying; I am sorry but this is how we do it in Sweden and in most cases that is an excepted excuse but it happens I get the comment; Then do it when you are in Sweden! :-) Also when back in Sweden I can say sorry guys but this is how we do it in Tanzania and I can for instance throw away my knife and fork and grab in to that juicy piece of chicken with my hands (oops with my right hand I mean, however the culturally correct way is a bit more tricky) :-)