Appreciating Humor (3)
But we won’t get through this challenging period if we dwell only on the negative. One of the keys to humor is finding the absurd and surreal in everyday life.
Yes, some people say this is no time for laughter. I heartily disagree.
Even in the darkest hour, there’s time for humor. It’s important to maintain a positive frame of mind, and humor can help us do that.
Tell me, Kyohie, how much do you get American humor?
Well, to be honest, it’s a cross-cultural challenge for me. When I watch TV sitcoms, I’m often totally lost. I just don’t get a lot of the culture-specific references. And to understand American humor, you need to understand the lingo of the younger generations.
Good point. Of course, there are limits to humor. Subjects like war and the pandemic are nothing to joke about. I suppose you could say it’s all a matter of taste. My personal taste in humor runs to self-deprecating jokes and irony.
Interesting. Just how does self-deprecating jokes humor work?
Well, people tell me I have a perfect voice-and face-for radio. Seriously, though, the purpose of self-deprecating humor is to let others feel a sense of superiority when we refer to our flaws and imperfections. The trick is to do that without sounding like we’re indirectly boasting about our humility.
