NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

I agree, Americans don't get sarcasm. That is why British humor is so good. Even the most mundane conversation will always be amusing. I love the brits that expatriated over here to America. My next door neighbor is one.

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

3 general reasons:

1) Sarcasm is less readily apparent without audible hints.

2) America is so partisan that even comments that should be taken as sarcastic are treated as literal and are attacked with vitiol.

3) America was founded by puritains. A particularly humorless and sexless group, and their influence has reverberated through the times. England was wise to kick them out.

Sorry fellow Americans!

(I sure hope Genaia wasn't being sarcastic.)

It's probably the same reason that Drew Carey needs to point out that the points don't matter on American 'Who's line is it anyway?' Clive Anderson made it funny and he killed it because Americans didn't get it.

i think its because most posters here are young, ernest and rather easy to get worked up over nothing

they expect an attack, not humor, so that it what they read into a sarcastic post

What's sarcasm? Blast my American heritage! :rolleyes:

Well, I (as an American) :rolleyes: never use sarcasm and have no idea how to follow it :rolleyes:

Please, I and my friends have such dry humor that peaple around us randomly turn to dust mid-joke :D

Well, I (as an American) :rolleyes: never use sarcasm and have no idea how to follow it :rolleyes:

Please, I and my friends have such dry humor that peaple around us randomly turn to dust mid-joke :D

Are you sure it's not because of how old the jokes are?

(snicker)

My dad's European so I'm pretty sarcastic. Unlike my mother who is American.

Especially intelligence. That's why half the country is blindly following George Dubya Bush for (re)election this year.

Sad, but true.

I think you may have just been exposed to my generation, IE: The Brick Generation, who seem to think that education is pointless, that they are all gangstas' and that humour is acomplished by way of placing your hand in your armpit an making farting noises, or possibly by consuming certain types of mushroom and giggling at the purple twelve sided triangles that play Tetris inside their left eyeball.
And of course, most of the tourists you get are using rental brains, I know this because I LIVED in a tourist town. Your lucky, at least people know how to pronounce the name of your country, they insist on calling my state 'Or-I-gun'

EDIT:
Forgot to mention, I have to agree with you a bit. If you keep your voice flat and try sarcasm here some people take you seriously.

So...while were on the subject of metal, did you know this post is %56 iron?

Aha. No wonder it tastes kind of irony. :p

I do have to say that you europeans and australians are the MOST INTELLIGENT beings around. I mean, EGADS, you're so astute that you're just DRIPPING with intellectual and political knowledge about people thousands of miles away from you! Us Americans should just bow down to your every dictation and whim! Why not? Spain does to terrorists.

You see, sarcasm isn't a regional thing, people. Jesus Holy Christ, you can't be LITERALLY think that the nation giving birth to Hollywood, secularism, and television shows like The Simpsons are void of sarcasm! If you do, you're obviously more moronic than we originally thought.

It comes down to the fact that (1) True intellectuals know that sarcasm is most usually used by teenagers in conversations to put people down. Ergo, anyone with half a brain is above the use of sarcasm (its why we like it in our television, if WE ever did it often, we'd eventually look moronic to any on looker). And (2) Maybe you holier-than-thous across the sea haven't realized that an affective way of countering sarcasm is to interrpret it literally. It can either turn what is said as sarcastic around as a literal compliment said by an enemy, or demonstrate how any MATURE person ought to be thinking. But then again, I guess the common European isn't that much of a deep thinker. Must be why Australia relies on so many American television shows.

I (regretably) know of thirteen year old English girl who constantly instant messages me, fascinated by the fact that she's talking to an American. She's void of any political insight, American or British for that matter, and obviously lacks ANY grasp of sarcasm I've thrown at her. Really, people, start thinking intelligently and maturely here, please? It saves us all a lot of headaches.

I know this was supposed to be a "funny ha ha don't take seriously" thread, but some obviously were with some more personal attacks against America, so I joined in. Have a nice day.

I do have to say that you europeans and australians are the MOST INTELLIGENT beings around. I mean, EGADS, you're so astute that you're just DRIPPING with intellectual and political knowledge about people thousands of miles away from you! Us Americans should just bow down to your every dictation and whim! Why not? Spain does to terrorists.

You see, sarcasm isn't a regional thing, people. Jesus Holy Christ, you can't be LITERALLY think that the nation giving birth to Hollywood, secularism, and television shows like The Simpsons are void of sarcasm! If you do, you're obviously more moronic than we originally thought.

It comes down to the fact that (1) True intellectuals know that sarcasm is most usually used by teenagers in conversations to put people down. Ergo, anyone with half a brain is above the use of sarcasm (its why we like it in our television, if WE ever did it often, we'd eventually look moronic to any on looker). And (2) Maybe you holier-than-thous across the sea haven't realized that an affective way of countering sarcasm is to interrpret it literally. It can either turn what is said as sarcastic around as a literal compliment said by an enemy, or demonstrate how any MATURE person ought to be thinking. But then again, I guess the common European isn't that much of a deep thinker. Must be why Australia relies on so many American television shows.

I (regretably) know of thirteen year old English girl who constantly instant messages me, fascinated by the fact that she's talking to an American. She's void of any political insight, American or British for that matter, and obviously lacks ANY grasp of sarcasm I've thrown at her. Really, people, start thinking intelligently and maturely here, please? It saves us all a lot of headaches.

I know this was supposed to be a "funny ha ha don't take seriously" thread, but some obviously were with some more personal attacks against America, so I joined in. Have a nice day.

mmmmm 13 year old British girl, whats her screen name?

I'm English! My humor is soooooo much better. We have Monty Python and Fawlty Towers and Red Dwarf! Oooo! We're so sarcastic! We have laws so archaic, our government officials have to take positions as "Steward to some castle so bloody old it's underwater" so they can leave government service!

No, seriously, actually, for American communicators, sarcasm is communicated mostly through tone of voice and expression. It's very difficult for Americans to read sarcasm into print. I get in trouble with people for this all the time. My friends (and I) have a hard time telling when to be offended and when to just shrug it off. And these are people I've known for over 15 years, in some cases.

Wow, The Rowellan States must be fun to party with....


I see no evidence of a stick or any other wooden apparatus up said person's rectum.

See, I'm american, and Im' pretty damn sarcastic at times, but I'm goign to agree-nobody around me usually gets it, until I point out "I was being sarcastic."

Then they go "oooh, now I get it! You should tell me next time!"

...then I sigh in sorrow and dismay at them :p

Ohh, this is a really useful thread!

;)

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.
The sarcasm chasm is probaly due in part to culture. Irony is better accepted while sarcasm is generally taught to be rude and unacceptable.

"Mr. President, we cannot allow a sarcasm gap!"

It truly is a shame that we dirty americans don't get sarcasm. It's a true shame. The entire time, I swore I had a firm grasp on it, as well.

I guess I've been proven wrong yet again.

I too am being "bugged" by those Yanks poor excuses for senses of humor. I say we steal their guns and shoot them all in the head.....

Oh, wait, I'm American.

I say us Americans should shoot evrybody else in the head so there will be no further complaints.

:gundge:

(The only proper generalization is that all generalizations are inherently wrong)

Get outta that logic trap you robots.

Lord Zensel

What's sarcasm?









See? Without the proper physical cues along with tone and pitch and what not, that could be taken any number of ways.

What's sarcasm?









See? Without the proper physical cues along with tone and pitch and what not, that could be taken any number of ways.

No...really?

(note the effective use of the "...' symbol.)

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

Becuase the Benny Hill blood line in my family has simply bled out lol

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.
Because your generalizing.

Us Americans should just bow down to your every dictation and whim! Why not? Spain does to terrorists.
I hope that was a joke. But even if it was, it would be the worst one I've ever heard.

I hope that was a joke. But even if it was, it would be the worst one I've ever heard.

Gymoor points to the title of this thread

Wait. What? Wow, what a sweeping generalization. I didn't realise a small handfull represented the whole.

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.


Oh No.

We dont get sarcasm.

Nope.

In fact, one time...someone threw me a big bucket of sarcasm at me.
Strange thing was, no matter how I tried, I just couldnt grasp it.
In fact this one time, I tried to commit suicide by jumping out in front of a Sarcasm Truck...

I missed it completely.

Damndest thing, really.

Gymoor points to the title of this thread
So? There are some things not to joke with. Or should be.

Ohh, this is a really useful thread!

;)

*Thread explodes!*

I've just read 'Watching the English: The Hidden rules of English Behaviour' by Kate Fox an (english) anthropologist. It's a good book if you want to get a handle on this strange people, or (like me) you can laugh at yourself.

Her take on this is that it's quantity rather than quality when it comes to Irony (and it's derivitive sarcasm) The English sense of Irony isnt inherently better than people from abroad, it's just that we're steeped in it, it's the dominant and ubiquitous part of English humour. That all pervasive nature makes English people more likely to pick up on it. it is 'a constant, a given, a normal element of ordinary everday conversation' and that the english are 'always alert to the possibility of irony' she links it to a tendency towards understatement, and a tendency to not want to be percieved as being too earnest about anything.

I'm not english, I'm not american (luckaly). I grew up with Britcom. I absolutely loved it from ever since I was the tiniest of boys (and I'm talking about my bodylength). Black Adder is one of my favorites, The Fast Show "faaantaastiiiiiic!", Big Train, The Young Ones, Bottom, Absolutely Fabulous (or howevery you write it), Smack the Pony, probably forgot a whole bunch, ooh Not the 9 o Clock news and the League of Gentlemen :D and of course Fawlty Towers and Monty Pythons flying circus. Really nice. I saw dad's army and Keeping up Apearances to.

Hmm, the thread, right...
I had some close encounters here with some Americans too, you really must allways be perfectly correct, no room for funny exha...let me get my dictionary...exaggeration. They immediatly start...no actually it were only about 5000 Iraqian civilians killed not tons. As an example of course. They really get upset about sarcastic remarks, well the ones that did, got upset :p.

But on the other hand. Americans have some good comedy, most of it concerns farting at breakfast when eating large portions of chili, but then again... For instance Married with Children is filled with sarcasm, only it is very obvious sarcasm. About bud not being man enough, kelly being stupid, the neighbour being like a chicken and alls wife being bad in bed or something like that. Britcom is much more subtle (not talking bout Bottom of course :D :D)

The Simpsons must be the best comedy that the US has to offer, its filled with hidden jokes and hints to political incidents and the government or the police not functioning well. Nice :D And as about Hollywood, ... well let me put it like this, if a bus, passing true Hollywood, filled with Europeans, would shout: "You only make magnificent movies with an intense sense of intelligent discussion and culture and your plots are always mindbendingly clever" Holly would believe it. ;)

I do have to say that you europeans and australians are the MOST INTELLIGENT beings around. I mean, EGADS, you're so astute that you're just DRIPPING with intellectual and political knowledge about people thousands of miles away from you! Us Americans should just bow down to your every dictation and whim!
Thanks, its true, its all true!

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

Because stupid Europeans cant hint enough, they talk in stupid ways

As an American I get sarcasm and think it can be very funny. Most of my friends and family are also very sarcastic. As for why many Americans do not understand it, sadly much of our population have become reality TV junkies who think that the funniest things on Earth are public humiliation and failure of others, grossout stunts and redneck humor. It is depressing, but if you look at the top TV shows, it is true.

Because stupid Europeans cant hint enough, they talk in stupid ways
Welll sorrry!

(Enough hints??)

Welll sorrry!

(Enough hints??)

Three l's yep stupid, stupid, stupid Europeans. I can take sarcasm very well, and I disagree that we laugh at only public humiliation and redneck jokes (although blue collar t.v. is funny stuff, haha) moving on, you know, I used to think Europeans were cool people I used to like them until I started NS that is, there all so, whats a word for this, Bitchy! That works, their only responce to what I say is, your country is going downhill, I say why? They say McDonalds. Wow, I must admit you guys are pretty smart, I mean McDonalds (and its McDonalds not MacDonalds!!!! God you guys are idiots!) You think your governments are so superior and while I hate the Bush administration at least we dont follow you around (such as how Italy Spain and England and others followed us into Iraq.

I agree, Americans don't get sarcasm. That is why British humor is so good. Even the most mundane conversation will always be amusing. I love the brits that expatriated over here to America. My next door neighbor is one.

i agree sir! Why dont we have a spot of tea, watch some Mr. Bean, go to MACDonalds, than solute the queen! But for now, Pip-Pip Cheerio!

We Americans understand sarcasm and irony all too well.

That some of us have a very dry humor is not indicative of all of us.

I enjoy British humor very much and prefer it to others. Hving lived in the UK in the 80's I saw many things that were funny. That I also felt that upon arriving I had stepped back in time 30 years was also quite startling to me.

Judging ALL Americans by the actions of a few is as wrong as wrong can be.

My dad's European so I'm pretty sarcastic. Unlike my mother who is American.

HAHA! Your dads a pussy!

Having lived in the UK in the 80's I saw many things that were funny. That I also felt that upon arriving I had stepped back in time 30 years was also quite startling to me.



No kidding! When I went to Italy it was like going to New York City at the turn of the century!


Going into the 1900's! (except they had cars and McDonalds:)

Oh No.

We dont get sarcasm.

Nope.

In fact, one time...someone threw me a big bucket of sarcasm at me.
Strange thing was, no matter how I tried, I just couldnt grasp it.
In fact this one time, I tried to commit suicide by jumping out in front of a Sarcasm Truck...

I missed it completely.

Damndest thing, really.

You too! Damn, I missed the sarcasm bus today, my sarcasm building caught on fire, my sarcasm wife left me, I just cant seem to get a good firm hold on sarcasm.

I agree that the majority of british comedy is a hell of alot better than US comedy, but you have to give credit to some US comedy programs that were actulyl good, the simpsons is the obvious one, in my opinion it is probobly one of the greatest comedy programs of all time, although apart from that, i cant really think of many other decent american comedies, that are shown on british TV at least, Friends was good when it started, but it ran for waaaay too long, and now channel 4 show at least 2 repeats every day, its getting too repetitive. the only other american comedy i can think of at the moment is will and grace, which i despise with a passion.

Whereas, british comedies you get greats such as, blackadder, fawlty towers, monty python, red dwarf, etc...

and with the mac/mcdonalds thing, the compony is called mcdonalds, but the actual origional scottish name was macdonalds, i assume it was changed to please american minds or somthing...

and sgt peppers, why all the euro bashing? your name is from one of the greatest bands of al time, who were distinctly british...and complaining abotu saluting the queen...? the only people who do that are the militery, unlike in america, where most schools salute their flag every day...

I find the Taliban a joke...haha...enough sarcasim yet?

i agree sir! Why dont we have a spot of tea, watch some Mr. Bean, go to MACDonalds, than solute the queen! But for now, Pip-Pip Cheerio!

Why do you instantly asume what we british all talk with the Queens English or in constant cockney rhymn-slang?? you put in all your shows??? will and grace (very funny), friends and lots of others.... why people why...... i have never heard one of them accents from a real person in my life....

The problem isn't that americans don't get sarcasm. It's the bone heads that don't get sarcasm that post on here make it seem like americans don't get sarcasm. I personally love to use sarcasm, and everyone I talk with get it. Course I make certain that I don't hang out with dumb people as well. That might have something to do with it. This goes along with my theory that other nations in the world seem smarter or better then other nations (the US included in the looking pretty dumb catagory) because they only let the smart people travel while (to use the US as an example) we'll let any dumb shmuck go where ever they want. so other nations see our stupid hill-billies and the ignorant city dwelling chudds. And make the rest of us look bad, course looking at our publicly elected officials don't make us look all to good either.

No kidding! When I went to Italy it was like going to New York City at the turn of the century!


Going into the 1900's! (except they had cars and McDonalds:)

yes, because we ALL want to look exactly like new york and knock down all our old buildings, because all this glass and metal and plastic looks SO much nicer...

No kidding! When I went to Italy it was like going to New York City at the turn of the century!


Going into the 1900's! (except they had cars and McDonalds:)

What can I say to a group of people who think that the stuff they sell at MickeyD's (McDonalds) is food? I mean, do you people actually buy that stuff and then put it in your mouths?

As for the sarcasm thing, if you're talking mundane then Americans can usually deal with it. But, when you attack their politics, religion or their country, the red white and blue blood boils. These are serious issues in the US and not discussed among friends if you want to keep your friends. Since sniping at Americans seems to be a favorite pasttime around here, and since most Americans are too PC to return the favor, it's no wonder that we all want to go have a war.

No kidding! When I went to Italy it was like going to New York City at the turn of the century!


Going into the 1900's! (except they had cars and McDonalds:)

No, it had nothing to do with the buildings. It had more to do with the fact that i found a lot of homes that were still heated with coal. I had read about such things in the US in the 50's but I had never actually seen it before. I lived in a house that was heated with coal for 2 years. It was quite an experience and one that I would not be in any hurry to repeat, thats for sure.

What can I say to a group of people who think that the stuff they sell at MickeyD's (McDonalds) is food? I mean, do you people actually buy that stuff and then put it in your mouths?

Hey, I like McDonalds.....but then again, I like almost all fast food and eat it with relish. :D

The Simpsons must be the best comedy that the US has to offer, its filled with hidden jokes and hints to political incidents and the government or the police not functioning well. Nice :D

I beg to differ! The Simpsons is the SECOND best comedy the US has to offer - the first being Family Guy :D

Sarcasm is a tool for those who lack a sense of humor :D

No, it had nothing to do with the buildings. It had more to do with the fact that i found a lot of homes that were still heated with coal. I had read about such things in the US in the 50's but I had never actually seen it before. I lived in a house that was heated with coal for 2 years. It was quite an experience and one that I would not be in any hurry to repeat, thats for sure.

wow, im suprised at that, most houses in britain have proper centeral heating rather than coal fires, but lots of people have coal, gas or wood fires in the house just for effect, and light them for a bit of extra heat in the winter, but a house completly heated by coal is extremely rare in britain i would assume, well, maybe in some of the extreme rural areas there might be a few, but not many

Hey, I like McDonalds.....but then again, I like almost all fast food and eat it with relish. :D

I only eat relish on my Hebrew's Best. Mustard and dill pickles for my burgers, please!

(and its McDonalds not MacDonalds!!!! God you guys are idiots!)
Well genius Mc is the anglisised version of Mac. haha
Tá tú amadán!

wow, im suprised at that, most houses in britain have proper centeral heating rather than coal fires, but lots of people have coal, gas or wood fires in the house just for effect, and light them for a bit of extra heat in the winter, but a house completly heated by coal is extremely rare in britain i would assume, well, maybe in some of the extreme rural areas there might be a few, but not many

Well, that was 20 years ago in a village called Woodford Halse, near Daventry. We then moved into a house in Banbury that was built in 1983 and it had radiators which is what I assume you call central heating. The last time I saw radiators in the US was in the 1960's, so that was a shock for me as well. I never could get warm enough over there. Even in the summer I wore a jacket. Then again, being from Orlando, I get cold when it drops below 70 degrees.
:cool:

I only eat relish on my Hebrew's Best. Mustard and dill pickles for my burgers, please!

You missed my meaning of the word relish....;)

...Are you being sarcastic now? You HAVE to be. Sarcasm and irony are two of the biggest parts of American humor. I actually wouldn't consider it unrealisitic to call us one of the most sarcastic societies on earth.
/NOT sarcastic
Now, if you're making sarcastic political comments; well, we're very, very touchy politically right now. Your hardline liberal believes Bush should be impeached and tried in Geneva for waging a war of aggression, if not hanged for treason. Your hardline conservative considers anybody who doesn't openly and strongly support Bush to be treasonous scum undeserving of the title of human being, much less American. The hatred of these two opinions has, in this election more than any other before it, infected the moderates until the nation is polarized nearly fifty-fifty. (The phrase "civil war" has even been tossed around by some of the jumpier political analysts.) So, we don't get political sarcasm because we're so jumpy when it comes to politics.
Second, the only way anyone can detect sarcasm on a board is if the message is either blatantly worded in such a way as to be unflattering to those who actually believe what is said or if the post is labeled sarcasm. See, it's written, and in America at least, the major cue that a comment is sarcastic is a certain tone of voice. It could be different in other Anglophone countries, but I don't know. In America, we make it very, very clear when we're kidding. We're one of the most violent, fight-happy societies on earth; and as such have to signal that we're kidding in order to avoid getting hurt. What we don't get is deadpan; because until it got bred out of the society, deadpan got you attacked or killed. So, basically, if it's remotely believable, and you're not using the Sarcastic Tone of Voice(tm), and not displaying the Sarcastic Face(tm), we think you're serious. My point is: We do get sarcasm! We are very sarcastic. We just need much more blatant cues. Something not blatantly cued as sarcastic is taken as an insult, because we're angry and aggressive enough as a society that if it's not clearly sarcastic, it probably IS an insult.

You missed my meaning of the word relish....;)

No I didn't. :p

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

Well, most Americans do "get" sarcasm, at least I know that I do most of the time. Picking out sarcasm in a post isn't like picking it out of a conversation. You can't hear the sarcasm in someones post, and in some situations I don't even reply because I'm not 100% sure that a person was being sarcastic (unless they have a [/sarcasm] it is hard to tell sometimes). But it is stupid to say that America's youth doesn't get sarcasm as someone posted earlier, with kids at my school you could almost say that sarcasm is a way of life.

Sar.... what..?

I do have to say that you europeans and australians are the MOST INTELLIGENT beings around. I mean, EGADS, you're so astute that you're just DRIPPING with intellectual and political knowledge about people thousands of miles away from you! Us Americans should just bow down to your every dictation and whim! Why not? Spain does to terrorists.

You see, sarcasm isn't a regional thing, people. Jesus Holy Christ, you can't be LITERALLY think that the nation giving birth to Hollywood, secularism, and television shows like The Simpsons are void of sarcasm! If you do, you're obviously more moronic than we originally thought.

It comes down to the fact that (1) True intellectuals know that sarcasm is most usually used by teenagers in conversations to put people down. Ergo, anyone with half a brain is above the use of sarcasm (its why we like it in our television, if WE ever did it often, we'd eventually look moronic to any on looker). And (2) Maybe you holier-than-thous across the sea haven't realized that an affective way of countering sarcasm is to interrpret it literally. It can either turn what is said as sarcastic around as a literal compliment said by an enemy, or demonstrate how any MATURE person ought to be thinking. But then again, I guess the common European isn't that much of a deep thinker. Must be why Australia relies on so many American television shows.

I (regretably) know of thirteen year old English girl who constantly instant messages me, fascinated by the fact that she's talking to an American. She's void of any political insight, American or British for that matter, and obviously lacks ANY grasp of sarcasm I've thrown at her. Really, people, start thinking intelligently and maturely here, please? It saves us all a lot of headaches.

I know this was supposed to be a "funny ha ha don't take seriously" thread, but some obviously were with some more personal attacks against America, so I joined in. Have a nice day.


Sarcasm is most used by teenagers - Now come on is this maybe not a thick persons excuse for not understanding quick humour ?

EDIt:- Ive noticed a few people claiming you need a tone of voice to determine sarcasm - Not at all.

Sar.... what..?
SARS obviously.

Sarcasm is most used by teenagers - Now come on is this maybe not a thick persons excuse for not understanding quick humour ?

EDIt:- Ive noticed a few people claiming you need a tone of voice to determine sarcasm - Not at all.

They're not saying everyone needs to hear tone of voice to determine sarcasm, they're saying that Americans have a different idea of sarcasm than most other countries, and in America, it's very difficult to tell if someone is being sarcastic or not unless you actually hear them speak.

Americans don't "get" sarcasm because America is a land of spacious skies and waves of grain,.. purple mountains and fruited plains,.. till selfish gain no longer stain,.. the banner of the free!

Which means, essentially, we buy our humor, and the cheap stuff is NOT the sarcastic stuff.

..and now for something COMPLETELY different..!

I have to agree that we Americans need a tone of voice in order to determine whether or not someone is being sarcastic or not, unless we know the person. Personally speaking, I think that the reason for this is that I could pretty much imagine someone having any opinion, so simply reading something a person typed could easily be their opinion. However, with that said, I have seen instances in type where sarcasm was evident, but that doesn't happen often.

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

Perhaps the question is better put as, "why don't the brits ever seem to catch on that we're really taking the piss out of them?" We're doing it to annoy you. ;)

I do have to say that you europeans and australians are the MOST INTELLIGENT beings around. I mean, EGADS, you're so astute that you're just DRIPPING with intellectual and political knowledge about people thousands of miles away from you! Us Americans should just bow down to your every dictation and whim! Why not? Spain does to terrorists.

You see, sarcasm isn't a regional thing, people. Jesus Holy Christ, you can't be LITERALLY think that the nation giving birth to Hollywood, secularism, and television shows like The Simpsons are void of sarcasm! If you do, you're obviously more moronic than we originally thought.

It comes down to the fact that (1) True intellectuals know that sarcasm is most usually used by teenagers in conversations to put people down. Ergo, anyone with half a brain is above the use of sarcasm (its why we like it in our television, if WE ever did it often, we'd eventually look moronic to any on looker). And (2) Maybe you holier-than-thous across the sea haven't realized that an affective way of countering sarcasm is to interrpret it literally. It can either turn what is said as sarcastic around as a literal compliment said by an enemy, or demonstrate how any MATURE person ought to be thinking. But then again, I guess the common European isn't that much of a deep thinker. Must be why Australia relies on so many American television shows.

I (regretably) know of thirteen year old English girl who constantly instant messages me, fascinated by the fact that she's talking to an American. She's void of any political insight, American or British for that matter, and obviously lacks ANY grasp of sarcasm I've thrown at her. Really, people, start thinking intelligently and maturely here, please? It saves us all a lot of headaches.

I know this was supposed to be a "funny ha ha don't take seriously" thread, but some obviously were with some more personal attacks against America, so I joined in. Have a nice day.


That was an excellent post. I concur.

Whereas, british comedies you get greats such as, blackadder, fawlty towers, monty python, red dwarf, etc...

what the hell? the only one I recognize is monty python

and sgt peppers, why all the euro bashing?

Probably because you damned Europeans deserve it.

your name is from one of the greatest bands of al time, who were distinctly british...and complaining abotu saluting the queen...? the only people who do that are the militery, unlike in america, where most schools salute their flag every day...

correction, we pledge ALLEGIANCE (we civilians dont salute it) to the flag AND the republic for which it stands. Its not like we pledge allegiance to the president.

what the hell? the only one I recognize is monty python
Haha they're all good


Probably because you damned Europeans deserve it.
Let's bash America. Fat stupid Ignorent. But all Americans deserve it ;)

Response in RED

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

1. You're generalizing.

2. Alot of (verbal) communication is in the tone of voice (along with certain visual cues. Unfortunately, written communication lacks these key components.

Normally this is of little concern, until you run into situations where body language and tone of voice a key to interpretation of the message being relayed. Sarcasm is one of these cases. Often the difference between sincerity and sarcasm is in tone of voice...something you can't really type.

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

Because we dont "Get" laid often enough! I say volunteer some cute british women and we will be much better in the future! :-)

Because we dont "Get" laid often enough! I say volunteer some cute british women and we will be much better in the future! :-)

Check their teeth first....and beware the "cankles." :D

Sarcasm is too hard.

Sarcasm is not "useful".

Sarcasm is "Msacras" spelled backward. (An obvious satanic reference.)

..and most importantly...

Sarcasm is an anagram of "Crass Ma", which violates the "Mom and Apple Pie" clause in the constitution.

someone said this early on, but I just wanted to say it again because I think they really got it right.

America is rediculously polarized right now. We're looking for an attack because 50% of the country has gone insane. Which 50% that is depends on who you talk to. We've completely spazzed.

someone said this early on, but I just wanted to say it again because I think they really got it right.

America is rediculously polarized right now. We're looking for an attack because 50% of the country has gone insane. Which 50% that is depends on who you talk to. We've completely spazzed.

Yeah....isn't it awesome!! ;)

buckets of fun.

All depends on which Americans you talk to. Talk to the intelligent ones, and we'll get it. (Notice me vainly adding myself in that group!)

Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to bug me:

Why don't Americans "get" sarcasm.

Alright, I'll come out and say what you don't have the balls to admit that you think: Americans don't "get" sarcasm because we're just too stupid, and don't rise to the intellectual heights of the superior EUros.

Especially intelligence. That's why half the country is blindly following George Dubya Bush for (re)election this year.

Sad, but true.

If all americans are so ignorant then why don't you educate all of us instead of bitching about it 24/7? Do you bitch about things like that because bitching leads to change? Oh thats right! Of course it does! Someone else will always do what no one wants to do! ;)

I get sarcasm when talking to others much better than from text. It helps if I know a person's position on a given subject.

We get sarcasm I can be extremly sarcastic. Just sarcasm on the computer is different then sarcasm with someone being seen and saying it.

The fact is sarcasm is not very polite. Most americans attempt to be at least polite, then when someone spite's us with sarcasm we tend to respond in the same rude manner.

~W~

It's hard to decipher sarcasm when all you see is text.

- Nova

It's hard to decipher sarcasm when all you see is text.

- NovaOh yes, its really really really hard.

Christ, three out of every four limey posts in this thread are essentially "yanks ar dum, an i am possitiv of this becuz the intarnet is the cutral nexas of humanitty".

Truly, the Nation States forums are a shining testament to the undeniable wisdom and wit of English speaking people the world over.

Christ, three out of every four limey posts in this thread are essentially "yanks ar dum, an i am possitiv of this becuz the intarnet is the cutral nexas of humanitty".

Truly, the Nation States forums are a shining testament to the undeniable wisdom and wit of English speaking people the world over.


Was that sarcasm....!?

Help,... Help,... I'm an American...!

I.... just.... don't.... GET IT.....!

So,.. WAS that sarcasm...!!!?

[QUOTE=Genaia]Okay - simple question, on this forums I have seen people making the most spinecurlingly sarcastic comments and some people treat them as though they were sincere, or worse still the person who wrote them places (sarcasm) after they've finished writing when it is so breathtakingly obvious. Maybe it's just the British sense of humour or something like that (I know it's perceived as a bit quirky by a lot of Americans) anyway I appreciate it's a generalisation but I'll ask the question again, since it's really started to


]
beacuse they're thick a pig shit

Yet another master of the language, criticising the percieved failure of others.

The fact is sarcasm is not very polite. Most americans attempt to be at least polite, then when someone spite's us with sarcasm we tend to respond in the same rude manner.

~W~


Americans attempt to be at least polite? What part of the US are you from? Shit, I don't have to go that far find a rude American. Not that all Americans are rude, but I'm starting to wonder if you're living in some sort of alternative universe.

i am an english teenager n nearly every word i say iz sarcasm lol :D

americans understand some sarcasm but english sarcasm is more subtle

A lot of us do. It's just that the few flaming idiots who don't pay attention to the tone of a post tend to be extremist and seeing how extremist and extremely America is divided... I guess I'm not wording this very clearly but I think you can get what I'm saying.

I would blame it less on Americans and more on simply being stuck with text.

Then again I'm American.

Then again I can catch sarcasm.

*shrugs*

Whatever.

Though to whoever mentioned 'Who's line is it anyway'...I miss it. Was a rather humerous show, be it the English version or the American.

Matbe it's because I am well versed in contemporary british literature, or maybe it's because I'm really smart, but I am very good at useing and recognizing sarcasm, despite being American.

I have to admit, that here in Sweden, lots of people aren't so hot on sarcasm either. But, I think it's getting better as we become closer to the rest of Europe!
But yes, the British have a strange sense of humour, although I like it... even if it is a bit weird, it's cool.

I have to admit, that here in Sweden, lots of people aren't so hot on sarcasm either. But, I think it's getting better as we become closer to the rest of Europe!
But yes, the British have a strange sense of humour, although I like it... even if it is a bit weird, it's cool.

1) Americans, like Swedes,... like Swedes.

(( Ok,... are you following me so far...? ))

2) Swedes, who, like Swedes,... like Swedes, like Americans.

(( ..keep up..! ))

3) Americans, like Swedes, who are polite,... are polite.

(( ? ))

4) Politeness makes Americans, like Swedes, used to polite people, like Swedes.

5) Polite people don't get sarcasm because it's not polite, unlike Swedes, who, like Americans, like Swedes,.. like Americans.

6) Rather obvious now, isn't it..!


..And of course, it's UTTERLY impossible to BE sarcastic in "American English" in the first place.

The language just ISN'T built for it...!

No...really?

(note the effective use of the "...' symbol.)

It's call an ellipsis.