Humour (or what we think is humour), wit, irony and satire and how it can be misunderstood

Have you ever said something that you knew was incredibly funny, sharp and spontaneous and was met by strained looks and/or silence?

Referring to the graphic above - it reminds me of Spike Milligan's humour when he would talk about his tombstone which he said would be "I told you I was ill". I say that to my wife from time to time lately.

So what's this post about?

It's about misunderstood humour, particularly the kind that is expressed absolutely straight-faced (which to me is what I call "dry humour") and to one's amazement what (to me) could not possibly be taken seriously ... is!

A good friend of mine ... I say "good friend" because although I haven't known her all that long and I realise (now) that she does not always 'get' my humour (or attempts at it) she is patient, decent and good enough to actually disclose to me that she was once (or probably a few times) offended by something I said (which when revealed to me) I knew categorically that I meant something funny!

Here's a real example:

I said "having a baby of course is a 'walk in the park' compared to the pain I am experiencing with my frozen shoulder." (should have followed it up with the words ... "ha ha ...", I guess.)

So, to me - ha ha - laughter (was the expected result) - after all, how could anyone take that as being serious? I have been at the mother of my children's side (and various other supportive angles) during the birth of our three children ... I have seen the 'impossible' ... how females seem somehow able to get a football through an aperture made for a golf ball whilst in excruciating, unbearable pain - so surely it is obvious that I was being funny (well, expecting to be received as humorous)?

To me, people that don't get my humour are (humm, careful what I say next I suppose), well, lets say unused to people (like me) who are always trying to be funny. I am prepared to admit that here in Lincolnshire, on the whole, its not like London. I'd say one would have a better chance here in Lincolnshire of making a funny and getting misunderstood or even a punch on the nose into the bargain.

Here's another real example:

I was entering a middle-range bar and en route (in the smokers half-covered area) I had to pass a man with a cute dog so me being me, I stopped and said (to the dog) "hello, -  you're sweet aren't you - you're lovely - I bet you'd like to come home with me ..." The owner stared and I then said (looking at the owner) "OK ... how much?"-  To which the owner glared at me rather threateningly and retorted "you don't do that to a friend - nobody - nobody would ever get to buy him off me - he's my friend." I duly explained that I was having a laugh and luckily I got away with it (but I reckon I was pretty close to getting thumped). I perhaps should make crystal clear that I do not own a dog (I like them; always have). I have little intention of getting one soon and I certainly have no intention of buying one, ad hoc, from a man in a bar! lesson learned - don't be natural, don't be too friendly, don't try to be funny and don't say anything that if taken seriously will offend. - BUT how sad is that? Humour is very often about insults dramatic acts and so on - remember "Bottom" with Rik Mayall? When he was bashing, repeatedly, his mate with a frying pan - it's supposed to be funny (it was)!

To my mind this is partly to do with sophistication and lack of it.

I 'grew up' on Monty Python, Pete & Dud, Bottom, Rik Mayall, Black Adder, The Young Ones, Little Britain, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and so on. I loved TWTWTW (David Frost - That was the week that was). How many politicians got offended by Spitting Image but I thought it absolutely hilarious. Am I of sick mind (no do NOT answer that please)?

Over the years I can't count how many times, even with friends, I have found myself having to explain my humour or saying - "look assume everything I state is intended as humour and you won't go far wrong!"

Well, I'm tired of this now ... or maybe I'm just tired.

- Lost one of my readers earlier today (he was offended - not for the first time and hopefully not for the last - meaning I'd like him to pop back so that we can both have the chance, probably unintentionally, but better still, intentionally , 'cause that's much more fun, for more 'banter'. For now he's gone but I'd welcome him back as he should know by now that I like interacting with him.

Honesty, directness, frankness and genuineness are all dangerous attributes as is humour.

- Just thought - we must end this happily, with humour (or will it be taken seriously?).

Here you go!