NationStates Jolt Archive


United Statesians: what is your understanding of sarcasm

Narcassism
30-04-2005, 22:45
Warning: this is not flaming!

Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.

What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

I'm curious because half the time, alot of you seem to take sarcastic jokes dead seriously and miss the point , which is strange from an English perspective, where Sarcasm and irony are central pillars of humour.
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?
Klonor
30-04-2005, 22:47
My sense of humor: Laugh when it's funny, laugh when it's not funny, and throw rocks at the joke teller if it slights Star Wars in any way.

That help?
New Genoa
30-04-2005, 22:50
I laugh everytime a baby is aborted.
Neo-Anarchists
30-04-2005, 22:51
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?
We like to laugh at people getting hit in the balls by various blunt objects. [/sarcasm]
New Genoa
30-04-2005, 22:52
We like to laugh at people getting hit in the balls by various blunt objects. [/sarcasm]

Actually...
Neo-Anarchists
30-04-2005, 22:53
Actually...
Hmm, I just remembered "America's Funniest Home Videos".
Perhaps I should go remove the sarcasm tag now.
Mexibainia
30-04-2005, 22:53
My sense of humor: Laugh when it's funny, laugh when it's not funny, and throw rocks at the joke teller if it slights Star Wars in any way.

That help?

Right on, man... right freaking on... :p
San haiti
30-04-2005, 22:54
Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.


The thing is, al lot of the time when people vote like that in polls about america they're not being sarcastic (not that i think that way, just sayin').
31
30-04-2005, 23:03
It is very difficult to know if it is sarcasm when negative things are said about the US because so many EUians say such nasty things about us all the time. So, when we see something like that it is natural we would assume it is the honest feelings of the EUian in question and not sarcasm.

USian humor tends to revolve around comedic situations rather than quipy/biting comments. Thus the creation of the sitcom. Most USians prefer some situation when two or more individuals are unaware and so make mistakes and so fall into a comedic situation.
That is a generalization as many of US are not enamored of that style. I myself prefer witty/fast wordplay for humor or the Will Ferral (spl?) style of odd character and strange statement style of humor.
Blood Moon Goblins
30-04-2005, 23:14
YOUR MOM!
HAHAHAHAHA!
...
...
...
God I hate myself.

Truth be told, I cant stand most comedians. Their jokes arent funny, for the most part (IMO there are exceptions to everything :P), and they all seem to have annoying voices.
I find EUians funny...especialy the accusations of Americentrism and the various doomsayers.
The ones who resort to attacking my sense of humour are usualy fairly sad all in all.
Kelleda
30-04-2005, 23:21
I'm a fan of the non sequitur, myself.
Carnivorous Lickers
30-04-2005, 23:22
Americans have a great sense of humor-how else could you explain us coming in here to listen to the rest of the world whine about us ? We find you very humorous.
Ankhmet
30-04-2005, 23:25
YOUR MOM!
HAHAHAHAHA!
...
...
...
God I hate myself.

Truth be told, I cant stand most comedians. Their jokes arent funny, for the most part (IMO there are exceptions to everything :P), and they all seem to have annoying voices.
I find EUians funny...especialy the accusations of Americentrism and the various doomsayers.
The ones who resort to attacking my sense of humour are usualy fairly sad all in all.

MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE.

Haven't heard of him?

shoot yourself in the balls. Twice.
Ilkland
01-05-2005, 00:32
I don't have a sense of humor. Ever.
Eutrusca
01-05-2005, 00:36
What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?
People who refer to Americans as "United Statesians." There are few things that sound more ridiculous. :D
Aquinion
01-05-2005, 00:38
Of course we love sarcasm. But it's kinda hard to read sarcasm on an internet board without the appropriate [/sarcasm] attached, for me anyway. In real life, I'm usually pretty sarcastic my self, and people love it.
Mythotic Kelkia
01-05-2005, 00:48
People who refer to Americans as "United Statesians." There are few things that sound more ridiculous. :D

It's to make the distinction between good and bad Americans. Good Americans can be found in the following nations:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, Antiqua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidid and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

wheras bad Americans are mainly found in the following nations:

The United States
places the United States have invaded

:p
Zincite
01-05-2005, 00:51
I wouldn't say that's sarcastic, but it is comedic. Putting down America as "poorest country" would be sarcastic because it's entirely opposite. America is pretty screwed up in some ways and thus not the exact opposite, so I wouldn't call it sarcasm.

Personally, I think sarcasm is incredibly funny, and I appreciate other comedy as well. I can laugh at myself too. Most of the American population has no legitimate reason not to "get" it, so I think some of my comrades simply have a stick up their butt. Of course, plenty of us are fine with it, you just don't notice as much... just like you notice the flaming Christian bigots more than the reasonable nice Christians.
General of general
01-05-2005, 00:53
I think americans are used to someone yelling "NOT" after they've said something sarcastic ;)
Markreich
01-05-2005, 01:02
Warning: this is not flaming!

Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.

What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

I'm curious because half the time, alot of you seem to take sarcastic jokes dead seriously and miss the point , which is strange from an English perspective, where Sarcasm and irony are central pillars of humour.
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?


You suck.
What? You didn't laugh? What's wrong with you?!?


...that pretty much sums up why Americans don't take those threads as being funny.
Ashmoria
01-05-2005, 01:08
if you talk to americans i think youll find they have perfectly good senses of humor on average

most people come here ready to fight things out so they miss the subtle humor that some people post. ive noticed it alot lately and i TRY to point out that the poster was being funny but they tend not to believe me.

i would help if, at the end, you mentioned that you werent serious. those who got the joke will be annoyed but it will keep you from being flamed by the poor soul who missed the joke.
Carnivorous Lickers
01-05-2005, 01:18
People who refer to Americans as "United Statesians." There are few things that sound more ridiculous. :D

Indeed.
Katganistan
01-05-2005, 01:27
I laugh at most British sitcoms; I don't laugh at jokes predicated on slighting some group or other.
Carnivorous Lickers
01-05-2005, 01:32
I laugh at most British sitcoms; I don't laugh at jokes predicated on slighting some group or other.


Maybe you know what show this was- A British sitcom set in a small rural town with a lady priest? I saw it a couple of times-it was amusing.
Shadowstorm Imperium
01-05-2005, 01:35
Before we accuse Americans of having bad sense of humour, lets remember that they did create The Simpsons, which is very popular outside of the US.
Shadowstorm Imperium
01-05-2005, 01:35
Maybe you know what show this was- A British sitcom set in a small rural town with a lady priest? I saw it a couple of times-it was amusing.

Vicar of Dibley?
Neo-Anarchists
01-05-2005, 01:44
People who refer to Americans as "United Statesians." There are few things that sound more ridiculous. :D
Yes, everybody knows that we are supposed to be called USAliens.
:D
Carnivorous Lickers
01-05-2005, 01:44
Vicar of Dibley?


I thought I would have recognized the title, but that doesnt sound familiar.
Could it be called by a different title in the US? Doesnt make sense.
The lady is on the heavy side and very animated? She has a very shy lady as her assistant?
Carnivorous Lickers
01-05-2005, 01:47
Vicar of Dibley?


you're right-I just googled that title and checked out a site with pics-thats the one. Thanks.
Cannot think of a name
01-05-2005, 01:49
You suck.
What? You didn't laugh? What's wrong with you?!?


...that pretty much sums up why Americans don't take those threads as being funny.
Oddly enough I'm close to this post on the subject and the thread.

Checking US as the most messed up country isn't being sarcastic if you kinda mean it. See, the US should appear on a list like that, but to put it at the top-thats a different kind of humor than sarcasm. It's closer to what Markreich put up.

Sort of like: "This isn't a flame.-You all seem to have no sense of humour, whats up with that?" Or "This isn't a flame-What's with the smelling bad?" "This isn't a flame-Have you always been this shitty?" The disclaimer doesn't make it so. Not to say that I neccisarily am offended by this thread or threads where people bag on the US (and certainly, we do a lot of things that can and should get bagged on)--I would just like it if you all tried a little harder. Sometimes it's like having to listen to the 8 year old who wants to play along with the grown ups--"Yeah, you guys are poo poo heads." C'mon. We make it as easy for you as we can, you can meet us half way...unless you're too lazy...

Its sad, because you put me on the side of people I wouldn't normally be on.
Ekland
01-05-2005, 01:52
First a totally honest question. What the hell makes you think that you can collectively represent the entire population of a Country on something as individually subjective as humor? o.0

Right moving on...

# A cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound.
# A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.

By that definition the use of "sarcasm" towards Americans IS something should, by definition, be taken as a insult and not specifically humor. If this be the case then you are an asshole (don't worry, as a sarcastic bastard, so am I ;) ) and you deserve to be attacked, ridiculed, etc, etc. On another note, sarcasm turns something that would ordinarily imply something else, into something that is often the polar opposite using tone and tone alone. Obviously tone doesn't do jack shit on the internet; this could very well be your problem.
imported_Berserker
01-05-2005, 01:59
Warning: this is not flaming!

Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.

What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

I'm curious because half the time, alot of you seem to take sarcastic jokes dead seriously and miss the point , which is strange from an English perspective, where Sarcasm and irony are central pillars of humour.
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?
Thing is, alot of what people take for granted, stuff like body language, tone of voice, etc, is rather vital to conveying things like sarcasm. Often the only thing that seperates a sarcastic comment from a serious comment is tone of voice.
As you may have guessed, it's rather...difficult, to convey tone of voice with text. This makes it impossible to tell whether or not the poster is serious. In other words, it's not our fault we can't tell the intent behind your posting.
Communicating is a two way street there, it's the reciever's responsibility to make sure that they are paying attention, and the sender's responsibility to make sure the message is clear.

So please, don't freak out and post about why nobody seems to get someone's sarcasm on a message board.
Alidor
01-05-2005, 02:07
I laugh everytime a baby is aborted.
/\ SNIDE /\
Domici
01-05-2005, 02:51
Warning: this is not flaming!

Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.

What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

I'm curious because half the time, alot of you seem to take sarcastic jokes dead seriously and miss the point , which is strange from an English perspective, where Sarcasm and irony are central pillars of humour.
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?

I spoke with a comedy writer/stand up comic at a book store once. She told me that once you go west of delaware no one understands irony. That should explain why so many people here take obvious sarcasm dead seriously.

She also told me that as a comedy writer the humor of the jokes is less important than the rhythm with which their told. That's why so few Americans enjoy "Brit-coms" which are so much more well written than most American sit-coms but the Brady Bunch has been in syndication for something like 30 years. She told me that they decide which lines become jokes based on how far down the page they are.
Tenebricosis
01-05-2005, 02:57
Funny thing, a lot of very popular American comidians are actually Canadians in disguise.
New Genoa
01-05-2005, 03:22
Funny thing, a lot of very popular American comidians are actually Canadians in disguise.

They're all actually infected with assitis which is a very malignant disease of the gonads that makes them shoot pubes at unsuspecting WASPs.
Al-Kazahn
01-05-2005, 03:58
/\ SNIDE /\
^ DRY ^
Sventria
01-05-2005, 04:00
Checking US as the most messed up country isn't being sarcastic if you kinda mean it. See, the US should appear on a list like that, but to put it at the top-thats a different kind of humor than sarcasm.

I'm not sure how to put this.

You can believe someone's an arsehole and tell them so and still intend it as a joke rather than an insult. If someone were to make an 'offensive' comment in this manner and the person was offended, they would be suprised and confused that the person didn't 'get it'. Context is important, and hard to interpret online, which is why we have smilies. The delivery associated with sarcasm and irony is a cultural thing, which is probably why non-Americans think Americans don't understand it. A good idea is to never get offended when anyone insults you, and treat it as a joke when you respond. (Even if it obviously isn't, they'll end up looking silly, not you.)
Al-Kazahn
01-05-2005, 04:00
snip
What would Jesus do?
New Genoa
01-05-2005, 04:49
^ DRY ^

/\ WET /\
Nonconformitism
01-05-2005, 04:53
i think the simpsons and family guy are funny
Kreitzmoorland
01-05-2005, 04:55
I laugh at most British sitcoms; I don't laugh at jokes predicated on slighting some group or other.I only laugh at jokes predicated at slighting some group or another. None of this sterility.
Cannot think of a name
01-05-2005, 12:26
I spoke with a comedy writer/stand up comic at a book store once. She told me that once you go west of delaware no one understands irony. That should explain why so many people here take obvious sarcasm dead seriously.

She also told me that as a comedy writer the humor of the jokes is less important than the rhythm with which their told. That's why so few Americans enjoy "Brit-coms" which are so much more well written than most American sit-coms but the Brady Bunch has been in syndication for something like 30 years. She told me that they decide which lines become jokes based on how far down the page they are.
Wow, thats a burnt out and bitter look at things. Also smacks of New York writers who think the sun rises and sets on their keyboards.

Certainly a misunderstanding of how the Brady Bunch is appriciated(sp)-a lack of understanding things like 'kitsch' and liking things ironically(which makes her statement about irony, well...). If the Brady Bunch was actually good (or if anyone thought it was actually good) it would have a different kind of following. (I should point out that I don't like the Brady Bunch even on that level, but at least I can crawl out of my own ass long enough to understand what people are getting out of it) And I know plenty of people who like British comedy-she seems to avoid the fact that Monty Python has been syndicated around the US for even longer.

I don't know how she thinks the viewer knows how far down the page a joke is. Really sounds like shes burned out more than anything. Or from New York, which makes people seem burned out all the time.

It's easy to think that the british do comedy shows better because all we ever see is their best. We get everything of our stuff and it's too much to sift through (I can't do it any more. I have to be hassled to watch a show, but there are sitcoms I watch that I think are well done, fortunately they have lined up in two nights to ease my effort and minimize my network time.)
Markreich
01-05-2005, 12:50
I spoke with a comedy writer/stand up comic at a book store once. She told me that once you go west of delaware no one understands irony. That should explain why so many people here take obvious sarcasm dead seriously.

She also told me that as a comedy writer the humor of the jokes is less important than the rhythm with which their told. That's why so few Americans enjoy "Brit-coms" which are so much more well written than most American sit-coms but the Brady Bunch has been in syndication for something like 30 years. She told me that they decide which lines become jokes based on how far down the page they are.

That's also because once you get west of Delaware, no one understands pizza, either.
(The pizza universe is New England, New York, and Philadelphia to Dover, with the main axis being NYC to New Haven, CT). There is no pizza outside of this zone.)
Without pizza, one cannot understand irony. No, I don't know why that is.

The guys in Chicago make an interesting dish, but it's a cousin to pizza. Delicious, but not pizza. Just like France doesn't make vodka and Poland doesn't make wine. :)

PS- I love Britcoms, esp. Blackadder. Unfortunately, BBC America has become mostly a home improvement channel lately... :(
Laskin Yahoos
02-05-2005, 06:17
What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?
I can't speak for an entire nation (except France: I know everything there is to know about France, despite having never visited it), but I enjoy wry humor. Of course, I also find it funny when a European Unioninian posts something akin to "OMG USA R T3H SU><0RRZ!!@" and then acts as if they have reached some form of enlightenment when their soceity has been trying to shove it in their heads since the first day they attended school. Unless they were trying to be sarcastic...

As for not understanding irony, that is completely false. The irony in the statement "u dum yanks cant spel colour write" almost makes me cry. Unless they were trying to be sarcastic... (I sure hope so.)
Reticuli
02-05-2005, 06:19
Warning: this is not flaming!

Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.

What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

I'm curious because half the time, alot of you seem to take sarcastic jokes dead seriously and miss the point , which is strange from an English perspective, where Sarcasm and irony are central pillars of humour.
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?

Being an American that hates most Americans, I know how you feel. People just take things too seriously here.
Vittos Ordination
02-05-2005, 06:23
I find you wacky Europeans to be hilarious.
New Genoa
02-05-2005, 21:07
I find you wacky Europeans to be hilarious.

I don't. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :gundge: :gundge: :gundge: :confused: :upyours:

More like... Euro...PEONS! BOW DOWN TO ME! ;)
Robot ninja pirates
02-05-2005, 21:25
Sarcasm doesn't come across thorough the Internet, you have to imagine what you're typing being said in a deadpan tone.

Also, so many comments aren't sarcastic. It gets really tiresome hearing some self-righteous European prick bitch about how evil your country is, especially when he's from one the countries with a not-so-innocent past (which, come to think of it, is every country in which people are rich enough to own computers).
Mazalandia
10-05-2005, 16:29
Sarcasm doesn't come across thorough the Internet, you have to imagine what you're typing being said in a deadpan tone.

Also, so many comments aren't sarcastic. It gets really tiresome hearing some self-righteous European prick bitch about how evil your country is, especially when he's from one the countries with a not-so-innocent past (which, come to think of it, is every country in which people are rich enough to own computers).

Sarcasm tends to be overused, and hence no-one likes it.
The British stuff is generally better as that is not true sarcasm, but irony/satire/sarcasm.
Pure sarcasm is not as funny as satire, and Goodies/Monty Python is just funny because it is stupid/satire. It's why it is still funny after 30 or so years.
Koshkaboo
10-05-2005, 16:40
This kind of goes hand in hand with something I said a minute ago in another thread. Sarcasm doesn't translate through the computer very well.

"Sarcasm on the internet is about as new as the ten commandments. They are both equally ineffective on the people who read them: Snide or "witty" remarks are usually no more understood here than the ten commandments are followed in prison. Not that everyone should be loving thy neighbor, but Wilde-inspired epigrams are usually wasted without intonation, so like Indiana Jones drinking from the chalice, choose wisely before you attempt 'clever'."
~inspired by Real Time with Bill Maher, said by a friend....
Suicidal Librarians
10-05-2005, 22:31
Warning: this is not flaming!

Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.

What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

I'm curious because half the time, alot of you seem to take sarcastic jokes dead seriously and miss the point , which is strange from an English perspective, where Sarcasm and irony are central pillars of humour.
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?

For me it's physical comedy (people tripping, getting hurt, funny facial expressions, etc.). Sarcasm is a big part of our humor too, a lot of people (including myself) just have trouble reading humor a lot of the time. I'm very sarcastic, and my friends are very sarcastic, but it's all in the way you say something (at least where I live) and it's very hard to type the kind of sarcasm I use. So sometimes I tend to be unsure about whether or not someone is kidding on forums.

Anyway, I don't know if that answered any questions...
Eutrusca
10-05-2005, 22:34
"United Statesians: what is your understanding of sarcasm?"

The term "United Statesians."
Bitchkitten
10-05-2005, 22:43
My preferred forms of humor are sarcasm, satire and irony.
Slapstick is one of my least favorite, along with toilet humor.

But I guess I'm just weird for an American.
Yupaenu
10-05-2005, 22:47
Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. ?
it is. well, not so shure about sudan, but north korea's good.
SorenKierkegaard
10-05-2005, 23:30
http://comics.com/comics/getfuzzy/index.html
31
10-05-2005, 23:34
People who refer to Americans as "United Statesians." There are few things that sound more ridiculous. :D

But Americans is far too general and encompasses the entire native born western hemisphere's population. USians is very specific and is a heck of a lot better than constantly writing Citizens of the United States of America. I guess I could write COTUSAs.
Frangland
10-05-2005, 23:41
Hmm, I just remembered "America's Funniest Home Videos".
Perhaps I should go remove the sarcasm tag now.

i was just going to mention that we laugh at the idiosyncracies of dogs.
New Foxxinnia
10-05-2005, 23:42
But Americans is far too general and encompasses the entire native born western hemisphere's population. USians is very specific and is a heck of a lot better than constantly writing Citizens of the United States of America. I guess I could write COTUSAs.No, the name of the country is America. Here's a few solved puzzles for you:
America:United States of America::Spain:Kingdom of Spain
So, what did we see?
Normal form:Conventional Title::Normal form:Conventional Title
Now you don't go calling the Spainish 'Kingdomies' now do you?
Frangland
10-05-2005, 23:45
i think the problem lies herein:

a)We cannot see each other. If you don't put a winking smily-face thingamajig at the end of your post or a "hahaha" or "hehe" (etc.)... perhaps the natural inclination is to assume seriousness.

b)As most (i would imagine) people, we love the place we call home... I mean it's our country, America. And we take it seriously.

How would you react if I totally ripped on your country, did not include a winky-smily thingamabob/doohickey (lol), nor a "hehe" or something of that sort?

My God, I sound like a "walk-in-his-shoes-first" liberal. EGADS!
Catushkoti
10-05-2005, 23:50
I prefer to just shorten it to USian. I'm surprised the South Americans and Canadians aren't more PO'd they stole the term 'American'. America isn't a country - the United States of America, indication theyare of that region. Leonardo da Vinci wasn't Vinci itself ^_~
New Foxxinnia
10-05-2005, 23:50
i think the problem lies herein:

a)We cannot see each other. If you don't put a winking smily-face thingamajig at the end of your post or a "hahaha" or "hehe" (etc.)... perhaps the natural inclination is to assume seriousness.

b)As most (i would imagine) people, we love the place we call home... I mean it's our country, America. And we take it seriously.

How would you react if I totally ripped on your country, did not include a winky-smily thingamabob/doohickey (lol), nor a "hehe" or something of that sort?

My God, I sound like a "walk-in-his-shoes-first" liberal. EGADS!But I loathe smilies.
North Appalachia
11-05-2005, 00:07
Before we accuse Americans of having bad sense of humour, lets remember that they did create The Simpsons, which is very popular outside of the US.

and M*A*S*H...which was quite satirical and sacarstic...hilarious...
Katganistan
11-05-2005, 00:20
What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

Anyone calling us United Statesians, which has to be the most ridiculous appellation I have ever heard. If you really have a problem with 'American' since it applies to two continents, call me a US citizen, please.
Markreich
11-05-2005, 00:27
No, the name of the country is America. Here's a few solved puzzles for you:
America:United States of America::Spain:Kingdom of Spain
So, what did we see?
Normal form:Conventional Title::Normal form:Conventional Title
Now you don't go calling the Spainish 'Kingdomies' now do you?

Well said!!
Convicts of France
11-05-2005, 00:52
Being an American that hates most Americans, I know how you feel. People just take things too seriously here.

You voted for Kerry didn't you?

I laugh my ass off at most Liberals, Especially those like the poster I am responding too. Their ignorance is just too good to take serious. Try it sometime, when you see some moron in the store bashing America. Start laughing at them, not only will it make you feel better. It makes everyone else start laughing and makes that person feel as small as they claim they are. It is quite a good time all in all honest :D
Marrakech II
11-05-2005, 02:44
I prefer to just shorten it to USian. I'm surprised the South Americans and Canadians aren't more PO'd they stole the term 'American'. America isn't a country - the United States of America, indication theyare of that region. Leonardo da Vinci wasn't Vinci itself ^_~


Clearly your showing your ignorance at the naming of peoples. You dont use a abbreviation in the way you spell USian. It is correct to say Americans. Most people that are called Asians are from East Asia. Not from Iraq or Armenia or maybe Georgia. But they are on the same continent. Another example would be Estados Unidos de Mexico. Now do we call the Mexicans EUians? Doesnt that sound just stupid? Anyway hope your somewhat enlightened.
Protocoach
11-05-2005, 02:54
What do I find funny...

Hmmm...

Well, sometimes, friends and I have entire conversations that consist of nonsense, babble, hand gestures, clicks, claps, snaps, whistles, and pointing. We find that amusing. We find Europeans amusing, because of the reaction we get when we tell them we're American, and even more amusing when we tell them we're Canadien. "Oh my God, I thought you were American!" That's entertaining.

I like Monty Python, and so do most of the people I know, just because it's random. Really, I think I personally and most of my circle of friends find things that happen in everyday life that are just stupid or random highly amusing. Most of our own juvenile humor is based around this randomness i.e. thos conversations I mentioned earlier.

Everyone finds different things funny.
Kholar
11-05-2005, 02:56
"I laugh everytime a baby is aborted."

That Is quite possibly the most disturbing thing I've read today, evan if you are pro-choice. :confused: :( :mad:
Mengelia
11-05-2005, 03:07
Unlike most European nations, we are a multicultural society. So race and ethnicity shapes our plural senses of humor. Monty Python, Jewish stand-up comics, black "kings of comedy", comedy out of rural folk or European immigrant traditions...it's all here. I would venture to say that our humor is richer and more varied than that of most EU nations. Have you had a hearty laugh at any German jokes lately? And, I would add, the same is true of our music.
Catushkoti
11-05-2005, 03:41
Clearly your showing your ignorance at the naming of peoples. You dont use a abbreviation in the way you spell USian. It is correct to say Americans. Most people that are called Asians are from East Asia. Not from Iraq or Armenia or maybe Georgia. But they are on the same continent. Another example would be Estados Unidos de Mexico. Now do we call the Mexicans EUians? Doesnt that sound just stupid? Anyway hope your somewhat enlightened.

Well since language doesn't exist as an external entity, it's whatever I choose it to be. And since 'American', like 'Asian', is too vague, I have implemented a new term - USian. It's fairly evident what it means. And Mexico is a country, so yes that's unnecessary. If it was a region, with multiple countries, it would indeed be sensible. I usually call people as to what country they're from, or 'Far Eastern' or 'Middle Eastern' as to ethnic groups when I'm unsure of country of origin. Anyway, I hope you're somewhat enlightened.
Catushkoti
11-05-2005, 03:43
"I laugh everytime a baby is aborted."

That Is quite possibly the most disturbing thing I've read today, evan if you are pro-choice. :confused: :( :mad:

Dead baby jokes are an acquired taste, just like their subject matter.
[NS]Simonist
11-05-2005, 10:18
Warning: this is not flaming!

Anyway, reading through these posts I've come across an American complaining that in a poll, many of the European NS users had put that they thought the U.S was more screwed up than countries like Sudan, N. Korea etc. What he/she hadn't realised was that many people were probably being sarcastic about their choice, and this has gotten me thinking.

What do Americans find funny? what do you laugh out loud at?

I'm curious because half the time, alot of you seem to take sarcastic jokes dead seriously and miss the point , which is strange from an English perspective, where Sarcasm and irony are central pillars of humour.
So basically, what is an American sense of humour?
I find it funny that I was just referred to as a "United Statesian".

Seriously, too. That was uncommonly hilarious for the 4.15 persuasion.
Californian Refugees
11-05-2005, 10:44
I think us Americans don't really get the British concept of irony. Everything else tends to work. Jokes rarely translate across cultures -- it's amazing that any of them can cross the pond.