Do the French have a sense of humor?

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  • Sure. Watching French comedies shows there is much in common with English comedy. But it doesn't always translate. For instance, I just don't get Les Visiteurs. It's not funny to me at all. But Tatie Danielle and Le Diner de Con slay me.

    It's the same with American humour. It doesn't always come across. I don't think anyone in my country finds anything funny in saying "Where's the beef?" or "Got milk?" or "That's gotta hurt". It's obviously something cultural and we really don't get it.

    I think some British humour would be mystifying to Americans too. We use irony at some point in virtually every exchange with people. We don't go for big jokes. Our humour is subtle and sly and often stays unnoticed. We use it to insult each other massively while still sounding polite. I try very hard not to do it here.

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    • lol, the "Where's the Beef" commercial was really only funny because it was this tiny, itty bitty old lady who said that because she was mad about how small her hamburger was. Now we just say it to basically say "let's see proof", not really as a joke. It got a new meaning I guess.

      Had you seen the commercial? It's a Wendy's ad from the 80's.

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      • I found the commercial on Youtube. The little old lady is pretty funny. She sure wants her beef (even though I don't think I've ever seen an old woman eating a burger in real life).

        Funnily enough, we do the same here. If you hear any British person saying "Simples", it's because of this:

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ust9YBlEfY

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    • I thought Benny Hill was funny

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    • WELL AREN'T YOU BRITISH PEOPLE REAL FUCKING CLEVER, TELL US ANOTHER ONE GRANDAD

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