Humor can vary. English on 7th place. The verdict: “You are not as funny as you think”.
FUN AND DULL EUROPE: Humor and joy vary across Europe, and cultural shades contribute to these differences. Which country has the best sense of humor..? It is about when one person finds funny, another might not. In general, European countries have diverse senses of humor and a rich comedic tradition. Except Germany. Germans are voted the least funny people in the world.
The question was:Which country has the best sense of humor..? According to an international poll, the Germans are the most unfunny nationality. American voted the most hilarious over-all, and the Spanish chosen as the most comical Europeans, ahead of the Italians.
The social networking and dating website Badoo.com asked 30,000 people in 15 countries to name the “funniest”, the best at making people laugh, and “the least funny” nationality. Many of the answers said they saw Germans more focused on rationality and efficiency rather than humor.
Taste of German jokes
Defenders of German comedy said it was unfair because the language means that jokes often don´t translate easily. Here are two examples of German jokes in translation.
- “Yesterday, I met my friend Horst at the hospital. He’d swallowed a sponge. He says it doesn’t hurt but he’s always thirsty.”
- “Plants grow very well if you speak kindly to them. Which is why I sometimes go into the garden and insult the weeds.”
Surprise, surprise
United Kingdom came surprisingly on seventh place. The verdict was “you are not as funny as you think”. Certainly not so amusing as the Spanish, Italians, Brazilians, French and Mexicans beat then on the humor scale.
A comment caught in London: “If we’re no good at football and no good at comedy either, it’s a bit of a pie in the face for us.”
No humor in France
In my world, no people in Europe are so far away from fun and humor than the French. I have never laughed or simply enjoyed a good joke or funny comment, simply because I don´t speak or understand French language. Yes, I have partly myself to blame.
Yes, humor is indeed a part of daily life in France. French people use humor in various situations, including casual conversations, social gatherings, and even in workplaces. They incorporate humor into their interactions to lighten the mood, make others laugh, or simply to enjoy a good joke or funny comment. Like in any culture, humor can vary from person to person, but it is certainly present in the daily lives of many French individuals.
THE UNFRIENDLY PARIS – VIVE LA DIFFERENCE!
French enjoy satire
No, you are not entirely correct. While humor can vary from culture to culture, it’s not accurate to say that French people are without humor and jokes. French comedy has a long and rich tradition, and there are many French comedians who have gained international recognition. It’s possible that the humor may be different or nuanced compared to other cultures, but it doesn’t mean it is absent. The French enjoy wordplay, satire, and observational humor, among other comedic styles.
A popular French joke
Q: Why did the French chef only use one egg in his omelette?
A: Because one egg is un œuf (enough)!
UNFRIENDLY PARIS – VIVE LA DIFFERENCE!
Best sense of humor
Italians are known for expressive gestures and physical humor. The use of facial expressions, hand movements, and body language adds an extra layer of comedy to their conversations.
One fun story is about the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. As the story goes, the tower started to lean during construction. The builders found the tilt amusing and decided to continue building it, resulting in the leaning structure we see today.
The Italian Mama
Italian mothers, strong-willed and loving, are subject of many humorous anecdotes. These stories often showcase their passionate gestures, loud and animated conversations, and their determination to ensure their children are well-fed and taken care of. These tales celebrate the funny and endearing nature of Italian mothers.
Italy is famous for its coffee culture, and stories about funny encounters at Italian coffee bars are quite common. These tales often involve mix-ups in orders, humorous interactions with baristas, or amusing observations about the rituals and customs surrounding coffee consumption in Italy.
Italy´s coffee culture
In Napoli, there lived a young man named Lorenzo. He was passionate about coffee and dreamed of opening his own café. After years of hard work, Lorenzo finally realized his dream and opened a small café called “Caffè della Gioia,” which means “Coffee of Joy.” He wanted his café to be a place where people could experience not only coffee but also pure joy and happiness.
Word quickly spread about Caffè della Gioia with colorful decorations, vibrant art, and cozy seating areas. Lorenzo hired a team of passionate baristas who were not only skilled in crafting the perfect espresso but also in spreading joy to every customer that walked through the doors.
Every morning, as the café opened, a delightful aroma filled the air as freshly ground coffee beans were prepared. The sound of the espresso machine hissing and the gentle chatter of customers created an inviting atmosphere.
Lorenzo and his team encouraged customers to slow down and savor their coffee, promoting the Italian tradition of enjoying espresso standing at the bar. They engaged in friendly conversations, shared laughter, and created a warm and welcoming environment where customers felt like an extended part of the café’s family.
Joy at Caffè della Gioia
One day, young Giulia stumbled upon Caffè della Gioia. She had just moved to Napoli and was feeling a bit lonely in the bustling city. As soon as she stepped inside the café, she instantly felt a sense of warmth and cheerfulness.
Lorenzo greeted Giulia with his favorite espresso blend. As she savored every sip, Giulia found herself immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the café.
Giulia became a regular. She introduced her friends to the café, and they, too, were captivated by the spirit of joy that Lorenzo and his team cultivated.
People traveled from far and wide to experience the unique blend of quality coffee and genuine happiness that Lorenzo and his café offered.
Lorenzo’s dream of sharing the joy of coffee had become a reality, and Caffè della Gioia became a symbol of happiness in the heart of Napoli. Reminding everyone that sometimes the purest joy can be found in a simple cup of coffee and the moments shared around it.
Humor in Germany
Even if Germans are voted The World´s Least Funny People, they have something they believe is fun and humor.
German humor is a blend of wit and often clever observations about daily life. German humor tends to lean towards dry and sarcastic, with an appreciation for dark or absurd jokes. It often focuses on irony, satire, and self-deprecation. Germans enjoy poking fun at themselves and their cultural quirks, embracing a kind of “laughing with” rather than “laughing at” mentality. Stand-up comedy is popular in Germany.
A German joke translated into English:
Why did the bicycle fall over?
Because it was two-tired!
Frozen fun in Scandinavia
Countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, often spin around a mix of dry wit, sarcasm, and self-deprecating humor. They have a fondness for satire and irony, and often use something called frozen humor to make social or political commentary.
Dark or black humor is normal in Scandinavia. It involves finding humor in taboo or sensitive subjects, such as death, tragedy, or existential dilemmas. It’s important to note that humor can vary among individuals and regions within Scandinavia. Frozen og Arctic humor tends to be more fun as longer north you are.
Here are Scandinavian jokes:
Q: How do you sink a Norwegian submarine?
A: You knock on the door!
Q: Why did the Swedish golfer bring two pairs of pants?
A: In case he got a hole-in-one!
Here’s a Danish joke for you:
Q: Why don’t they have fireworks at the zoo in Denmark?
A: Because the animals would get too excited and start asking for more!
Fun with British humor
British humor is known for its dry wit, sarcasm, and a touch of irony. It often involves wit, clever gags, and the ability to find humor in everyday situations. British comedy has a rich history, with iconic figures like Monty Python, and Rowan Atkinson, and famous sitcoms like “Fawlty Towers” and “The Office”.
British people often express their humor in everyday conversations, using dry wit and sarcasm, and delivering clever one-liners.
Here are examples of British humor and jokes:
- “I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands.”
- “I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down!”
- “I went to the zoo the other day, but it only had one dog. It was a shih tzu.”
- “I asked the librarian if they had any books on paranoia. She whispered, ‘They’re right behind you!'”
- “I couldn’t figure out why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.”
- “I used to be afraid of hurdles, but I got over it.”
Fun and jokes in Spain
I live in Spain but my knowledge about humor and jokes are on a lower level. Spain has a regional diversity, and each region have its own distinct sense of humor. For example, Andalusian humor tends to be lively and playful, while Catalan humor is often characterized by clever and intellectual jokes.
A hilarious joke popular in Spain:
“A man asks his wife: “Darling, what would you do if I won the lottery?’ And she replies: ‘I’d take half and leave.’ The man smiles and says: ‘Perfect, I won 20 euros, here’s your 10, now leave!'”
Fun in Poland
Poles are generally known for their warm hospitality and willingness to have a good time.
Here’s a popular joke from Poland:
“Why can’t doctors be bakers?
“Because they would sweeten themselves too much!”
Serious Finland
Finland is known for its unique sense of humor. It may be described as dry, understated, or even dark at times, it’s definitely enjoyable if you like it.
Finnish humor involves sarcasm, and a touch of self-deprecation. There’s also a strong tradition of deadpan delivery, where jokes are delivered in a serious tone, adding to the humor.
Finland certainly has its own brand of fun and laughter to offer!
Here are jokes told by Finns:
Q: “How do you recognize a Finnish party”?
A: “The person who talks the most is facing his own shoes instead of other people”.
Q: “What do you call a Finn at the Olympics?”
A: “A spectator!”
Germans are on top of the list with least funny people in the world. They have company of Russian and Turkish. There are funny sides of all three countries. You might look a bit further and maybe try not getting lost in translation. Now it´s time to laugh, as you know which country has the best sense of humor.
