Thread: Why don't Thais understand sarcasm?

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Was subjected to some of mr. bean recently on a drive down to HH where my wife's friends had a van we all traveled in...together. My G_D!
What is it some Thais love that idiot...

Pshhh, don't tell anyone else, but he's just pretending to be an idiot!

Originally Posted by sabang

In terms of humour, I gotta say Fawlty Towers craps on Mr. Bean.

Bean is more visual and therefore loved by Thais and other non-TEFLers, but I think you have to be English to appreciate Fawlty, BlackAdder, ReggyPerrin and the other ageless classics.

Ftr, Benny Hill never earned more than the rare smile from here.

Benny Hill is funny because it doesn't succeed in being funny.

Originally Posted by keda

Originally Posted by sabang

In terms of humour, I gotta say Fawlty Towers craps on Mr. Bean.

Bean is more visual and therefore loved by Thais and other non-TEFLers, but I think you have to be English to appreciate Fawlty, BlackAdder, ReggyPerrin and the other ageless classics.

Ftr, Benny Hill never earned more than the rare smile from here.

Does anyone remember Dave Allen? I enjoyed his show in the 70s.

Originally Posted by floorpotato

Has anyone else noticed that many Thais display a total inability to detect and understand sarcasm (i.e., ironic statements meant to disparage someone in a subtle fashion)? ...Any opinions?

OK, back to the subject at hand. Yes, I've noticed this, and please God don't let my husband's Thai ex-wife catch on. Between her Narcissistic Personality Disorder and her very weird version of Thai existentialism, the ability to throw in a sarcastic or cynical comment here and there is my coping mechanism when family circumstances force close proximity for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Example (when husband sold his house and some furniture to her when moving to my city):

X-Wife: Too many books. You take books, right?

Love of My Life: Of course I'm taking the books. Why?

X-Wife: No need books. Need room for other things.

Me: Of course we'll get the books out of your way. We read in our house.

However, the sarcasm rule with X-Wife is that it must be accompanied by smile, soothing voice, and big blue eyes.

(Meow.)

Originally Posted by sabang

In terms of humour, I gotta say Fawlty Towers craps on Mr. Bean.

Mr Bean is total plagiarism on Jaques Tati's films and humour

see "M. Hulots Holiday" and see what I mean

as for the original posters attitude, I have to agree with the good DrBob

it seemed quite nasty

He says it was not

Originally Posted by keda

Originally Posted by sabang

In terms of humour, I gotta say Fawlty Towers craps on Mr. Bean.

Bean is more visual and therefore loved by Thais and other non-TEFLers, but I think you have to be English to appreciate Fawlty, BlackAdder, ReggyPerrin and the other ageless classics.

Ftr, Benny Hill never earned more than the rare smile from here.

Blackadder was the best IMHO.

i represent these constant references to merkin humour.

Originally Posted by Lily

Condescending statements about races and treating them like children is not done out of any mean spiritedness, but ignorance and the belief that your own culture is unquestionably superior.

Quite right (unless you're English, of course).

Originally Posted by keda

Originally Posted by sabang

In terms of humour, I gotta say Fawlty Towers craps on Mr. Bean.

Bean is more visual and therefore loved by Thais and other non-TEFLers, but I think you have to be English to appreciate Fawlty, BlackAdder, ReggyPerrin and the other ageless classics.

Slapstick humour..they love it.Most Asians like it.


Now try getting an Asian or Thai to enjoy Alexei Sayle.