The Complete Travel Guide to International Humor

Photo Credit (Pixabay)

Along with a smile, of course, laughter is a universal language and the simplest method to communicate without using words. Nonetheless, there are often certain regional differences that influence what we laugh about. We have put up a guide to the various comedy genres found throughout the world because, as travelers, nothing strengthens relationships with strangers more quickly than a good joke or clever aside. This is how to laugh it off in nine different countries, from Australian humor to British sarcasm.

USA
“We have one priceless universal trait, we Americans,” Wiliam Faulkner once said. Our comedy is that quality. And if the size of the United States guarantees that the Mississippi-born novelist’s Southern gothic comedy differs from the neurotic wit of New Yorkers, his assessment is nonetheless accurate. The US is known for its love of humor, and when it comes to comedy, wide is better. Slapstick, for example, originated in the US in the 1890s. And most of the time, we get the humor. Because Americans are known for being casual, it’s no surprise that our humor is often unpretentious; a self-deprecating aside is a common way to lighten the mood.

United Kingdom

According to George Bernard Shaw, “England and America are two countries separated by the same language”; sometimes, however, certain aspects of comedy are lost in translation. Famously sharp-witted and satirical (The Canterbury Tales is an exercise in absurdity), British wit is as gimlet-dry as they come. Although bantering is a national sport in Britain, it might unintentionally offend guests. “An Englishman would rather be told he’s a bad lover than he has no sense of humor,” said John Cleese.

Australia

You’ll know you’re in with your newfound friends when they make fun of you when you travel to Australia. Gentle humor, expressed in distinctive Australian vernacular such as “don’t be a bludger” (lazy) or “bogan” (uncouth), is a sign of friendship. Furthermore, the joker is frequently the one making the jokes; self-deprecation and sarcasm are characteristics of British culture, which makes sense considering that Australia was established by England in 1788. And you could argue that the Australian penchant for dark humor is a coping strategy for living in a nation home to some of the world’s deadliest creatures.

Canada

Although many of our northern friends view Americans as having too gentle and insensitive humor, Canadians are known for being excessively kind. In fact, Canadian humor frequently satirizes established social standards with far more irony and sharpness. Some people think that Canada’s sardonic sense of humor stems from its relative remoteness, with 80% of its land being unoccupied. But even in its most ludicrous and exaggerated forms, that warmth of Canadians comes through. Schitts Creek, which relentlessly mocks the wealthy, outcast family while simultaneously humanizing them, is maybe the best example.

France

The term “farce” was first used in France in the 15th century, and the French have always loved absurdity. Their sense of humor is audacious and impertinent, and they like the ridiculous. French humor is more deadpan than American comedy, with witticisms found in the verbal back-and-forth of numerous “jeu de mots” (plays on words). Don’t expect the joker to laugh at his own joke. Nonetheless, not all French comedy is elegantly refined; in fact, the French are the ones who coined the word “buffoonery” and admire “l’esprit Gaulois” (gallows humor).

Mexico

Humor is vital to Mexican culture; it’s not only a way of getting by during the day—literally. Jokes known as “El Colmo,” which find humor in the most dire circumstances, are highly well-liked. “Un colmo” approximately translates to “the last straw.” Mexicans have always made fun of life’s meaninglessness; in the 1800s, political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada used an elaborately clothed woman with a skeleton face to show how even the wealthy cannot stop death. His skulls, or calaveras, are still seen all over Mexico, particularly on Day of the Dead.

Jamaica

In addition to being one of Bob Marley’s most well-known phrases, “Don’t worry, be happy” also serves as a metaphor for the lighthearted humor that permeates Jamaica. The wide vocabulary of Patois, the native Creole language, serves well in capturing the variety of humor found in Jamaican culture, from subtle, dry banter to outrageously irreverent storytelling. Patois is a vast armory of expressions that are frequently used to hilarious effect. The humor has a playful quality, and you may get by with a simple “ya mon” if you don’t comprehend what’s being said.

Japan

The 400-year legacy of the rakugo-ka, or entertaining storyteller, and the country’s insatiable love of wordplay stem from the fact that many Japanese words have similar sounds but differ in spelling, making for a wealth of comedic fodder. But in Japan, it’s polite to get to know your company first, even though comedy can be employed to break the ice in the US. You can tell whether someone has accepted you when they share a funny aside. Remember that sardonic self-deprecation is a trademark of the Japanese, so make sure the joke is directed at you the first time you tell it.

Kenya

Like Americans, Kenyans have a quick smile and a rapid chuckle. Furthermore, these laughter are typically loud and enthusiastic—if the joke is good enough—another US-like trait. Practical jokes, taunting, and ridiculing are part of a friendly North Swahili culture that, if you’re fortunate enough to experience them, is a sign of membership. Kindness, transparency, and directness are the energy that others give you back, and that’s where the irreverence starts. The jokes will never cease if you’re willing to accept it as a guest.