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Why the British Are Better at Satire

theatlantic.com

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Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#101

Post by ant6n »

lucian1900 wrote: post #94
estefan wrote: post #65

It's not just satire: Irony, sarcasm, comedy above the level of a 5 year old (i.e. where there's more than just a setup immediately followed by a predictable punchline: "Don't open the box Tommy!" Tommy opens the box, etc.). Classic quote: Speaking to an American about not having ridden a motorbike in years, my brother said "I'm sure it'll come back to me - it'll just be like riding a bike". The girl replied in all s…

As someone who is neither America nor British, I much prefer British humour as well.

I think I prefer British humor, but American spelling.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#102

Post by bencollier49 »

gadders wrote: post #83

It does have a downside though. Speaking as a Brit, the kind of generous, unqualified praise that Americans seem to dish out to each other at the drop of a hat (EG You are so awesome, you are such an inspiration to me, I am so glad I have you in my life etc etc) tends to make a Brit think they are being mocked, as no British person would say something like that unless talking to their family on their death bed.

As a Brit who is occasionally effusive in his sincere praise of other people and things, I frequently suffer as a result.

I remember once enthusiastically complimenting a groundsman on his ride-on-lawnmower, resulting in my being subjected to a torrent of abuse.

Incidentally, I think South Africans are even worse at spotting insincerity and facetiousness than Americans.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#103

Post by mkr-hn »

SeanDav wrote: post #59

At times my work has brought me into contact with Americans and in general they just do not get sarcasm and satire. Obviously not true of everyone but in general in my experience, Americans (not sure about Canadians) take things that you say very literally. Take my advice, when dealing with people from the USA, as a default, avoid irony/sarcasm/satire and even humour until or unless you know they will appreciate it.…

I've always felt like my humor doesn't fit my upbringing. The bakery at my good old southern grocery store had "Bavarian cream filled donuts." I asked the person working there how many Bavarians it takes. They never got it. But all the other Americans in my internet social group get it, so it's probably not a universal thing.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#104

Post by j3h »

I think it has a lot to do with attention span. Watch any typical British Comedy, although littered with occasional quips, the main joke is an episode in the making and delivered with full flourish long after an American audience has switched to another show. There's a reason Benny Hill was popular here!

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#105

Post by [deleted] »

SeanDav wrote: post #59

At times my work has brought me into contact with Americans and in general they just do not get sarcasm and satire. Obviously not true of everyone but in general in my experience, Americans (not sure about Canadians) take things that you say very literally. Take my advice, when dealing with people from the USA, as a default, avoid irony/sarcasm/satire and even humour until or unless you know they will appreciate it.…

[deleted]

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#106

Post by Amezarak »

PMan74 wrote: post #77
conradfr wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can see that if you look at U.S adaptation of Britain or French series or movies, they often lose the tongue-in-cheek humor (if that term makes sense) in the process. The Office U.S became great when they stopped copying the U.K version and I don't think it's just a difference of bleakness as the article states.

Office U.S. and U.K. are really different shows, US Office dropped all pretence of the reality/mockumentary, veering toward more unreal set-ups. Apples and oranges. Both are great, just different.

> Office U.S. and U.K. are really different shows, US Office dropped all pretence of the reality/mockumentary,

Did it? The US office continued the "looks" at the camera, the interviews; at one point the documentary crew was attacked (and it turned out he was in love with Pam), Jim had them make a video for Pam, and the very last episodes were about the documentary airing and a panel interviewing them about how they felt about their lives being filmed for nine years.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#107

Post by kingmanaz »

SeanDav wrote: post #59

At times my work has brought me into contact with Americans and in general they just do not get sarcasm and satire. Obviously not true of everyone but in general in my experience, Americans (not sure about Canadians) take things that you say very literally. Take my advice, when dealing with people from the USA, as a default, avoid irony/sarcasm/satire and even humour until or unless you know they will appreciate it.…

I'm an American and admit that I hate sarcasm. Sarcastic people come across as cowardly; if you have something to say, just come out and say it.

No doubt this is cultural. For example, the sarcastic, eye-rolling banter found in Parliament raise my American hackles, making me wonder if any of those MPs had ever been "called out" for their insolent language when young. My wife and I typically sum up such sarcastic people (whether British, American, or otherwise) with the conclusion that "he's never been in a fight".

This may be an urban vs. country issue, as in the States I associate sarcasm with the effete, latte-culture found in metropolises, whereas laconic terseness seems more common in America's small towns and agricultural areas.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#108

Post by john_other_john »

estefan wrote: post #99
arethuza wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"We aren't as good at being loud though" In what context? I can think of a few situations where the British are world leaders in being loud and obnoxious - one of our main summer exports I'd have thought?

Ah yes! I'm so unconsciously middle class I forgot about the Magaluf crowds, etc.

Nah, at the fringes of east London's trendy "digital" parts, you can hear marital type arguments launched clearly across whole estate (project) courtyards, any given weekend..

Anyhow what was that about being so bad about being loud SPEAK UP DEAR, I CAN'T HEAR YOU?

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#109

Post by john_other_john »

ant6n wrote: post #101
lucian1900 wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who is neither America nor British, I much prefer British humour as well.

I think I prefer British humor, but American spelling.

Well you may be the first person I heard say that, but likewise, brit humor, American spelling seems the easiest combination to me.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#110

Post by john_other_john »

mkr-hn wrote: post #103
SeanDav wrote: post #59

At times my work has brought me into contact with Americans and in general they just do not get sarcasm and satire. Obviously not true of everyone but in general in my experience, Americans (not sure about Canadians) take things that you say very literally. Take my advice, when dealing with people from the USA, as a default, avoid irony/sarcasm/satire and even humour until or unless you know they will appreciate it.…

I've always felt like my humor doesn't fit my upbringing. The bakery at my good old southern grocery store had "Bavarian cream filled donuts." I asked the person working there how many Bavarians it takes. They never got it. But all the other Americans in my internet social group get it, so it's probably not a universal thing.

How many to make the donuts, or to milk the Bavarians and churn the cream?
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