Introduction
In my opinion, the jokes that are based on various national or ethnic stereotypes are quite distasteful and potentially offending. Such beliefs (that the Jewish people are stingy, the German can only make high-quality products and the Irish postpone everything) are as widely spread as they are unreliable. Since stereotypes presuppose simplification and generalization, jokes based on them seem unwise if not “foolish”, and this is why they may be not appreciated (Hurn and Tomalin 13-14). But the more important fact is that stereotypes do not always flatter the national/ethnic group they are applied to, and the person whose supposedly national traits get ridiculed may take offense.
Main text
The notion of “taste” presupposes appreciation of “what is good and beautiful and objections to what is bad and ugly” (Kuipers 41). An insulting joke as well as an unwise one can be considered “ugly” and may cause a negative reaction. I have to admit, however, that whether or not I appreciate a stereotype joke depends on the person reciting it. As Goldstein and McGhee point out, depreciatory jokes about an outer group are likely to be perceived as a signal of a hostile attitude towards it and may be regarded as aggressive (118-119). Aggression is often considered to be an ugly gesture; besides it can be associated with the inflated ego, a trait that is also difficult to appreciate (McCosker and Moran par. 3; Lefcourt 11-14). In my opinion, all of this explains why jokes based on supposedly national traits of an outer group seem to be distasteful.
On the other hand, self-deprecating jokes in which people make fun of their own supposedly national traits may be used for more peaceful purposes: for example, to solidify the group, to control the behavior of its members, or to reduce the tension building up between them (Goldstein and McGhee 118-119). In this case, the purpose of the joke can be called “decent” and this is why it is less likely to provoke a negative reaction. It seems that people have the “right” to joke about their flaws, which is why this kind of humor is easier to appreciate.
As Victor Raskin points out, “in the context of intergroup relations humor is more like a weapon” (396). In my opinion, aggressive stereotype jokes can also be regarded as weapons since they also serve to “solidify and spread stereotypes” (Attardo 216). This cannot be regarded as a positive outcome since stereotypes encourage ethnic hostility, and I believe that this kind of humor may turn out to be rather harmful. This is another reason why I find it distasteful and difficult to appreciate.
Conclusion
In the modern world that is in many ways defined by the increased volume of cross-cultural communication, people tend to find the common, well-known stereotypes artificial and dissatisfying. It is an experience that makes stereotypes dissipate, and a person who interacts with people from another national/ethnic group realizes how overly simplified and unnatural the stereotypical generalizations are. Such a person tends to believe that stereotype jokes lack creativity. Since creativity is essential for humor, appreciating these jokes becomes more difficult for people who understand how one-dimensional national and ethnic stereotypes are (Attardo 183). Still, it is natural for humans to generalize, simplify and build boundaries around their groups, which means that this kind of humor will find its devotees (Hurn and Tomalin 13-14).
Works Cited
Attardo, Salvatore. Encyclopedia Of Humor Studies. Attardo, Texas: SAGE Publications, 2014. Print.
Goldstein, Jeffrey H, and Paul E McGhee. The Psychology Of Humor. New York, NY: Academic Press, 2013. Print.
Hurn, Brian J, and Barry Tomalin. Cross-Cultural Communication. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013. Print.
Kuipers, Giselinde. Good Humor, Bad Taste. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co, 2015. Print.
Lefcourt, Herbert M. Humor And Life Stress. New York, NY: Springer, 2012. Print.
McCosker, Bernadette, and Carmen C Moran. “Differential Effects Of Self-Esteem And Interpersonal Competence On Humor Styles.” Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 5 (2012): 143–150. Web. 2015.
Raskin, Victor. The Primer Of Humor Research. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 2008. Print.