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Laughing without thinking August 22, 2002 ~ 4:50 p.m. Sometimes the sense of humor here is enough to make me glad I emigrated. While making tea, I asked a few co-workers if they wanted a cup. Kevin passed me his mug and said, "If you would, please." I plopped a tea bag in and stirred it around for two minutes. I poured milk and sugar in and handed the mug back to him. "Is it strong enough?" I asked. "Oh, yes. Lovely," Kevin replied. Then: "You seem to have picked up some good habits here." I knew what he meant. "I always brew it strong. When you get a cup of tea or coffee from me, you don't get short-changed." Kevin looked up from his mug and deadpanned, "Or sleep?" That is what I love about English humor. American humor is very direct, sometimes bombastic. I've worked in offices where the delivery of jokes and comments would make a British outsider think everyone was preparing for a comedy contest. With the British, humor is subtle and casual, dropped into conversation effortlessly. It's done without strain. I have to think carefully before dropping a witicism; for most people I've met here, it's instinctive. Americans appreciate a laugh as much as anyone. But this one is still learning to laugh without really trying so hard. � M.E.M.
Copyright � 2001-2007 by M.E. Manning. All material is written by me, unless explicitly stated otherwise by use of footnotes or bylines. Do not copy or redistribute without my permission.
AMERICA FOR TRUE AMERICANS!
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