Yes, we do have a sense of humour
By Nury Vittachi
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SET ASIDE any notion that Asians have no sense of humour. We have a sharp eye for the absurd. “Life being what it is in Asia, we have the choice of laughing or crying, so we may as well laugh,” said reader Ameena Chowdhury. A correspondent named Steven Yang agreed that many jokes tended to be “imported and not relevant to the local culture”, so it was worthwhile for us to gather work which “stands uniquely against this trend”. So here’s some humour sent in by readers.
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This came from a reader in South Asia:
Top tax officials of south Asian countries are on a plane going to a meeting of tax ministers. The Bangladeshi pulls out a thousand rupees. “I’m going to drop this out of the window and make someone happy.” The Sri Lankan official says, “I would rather drop two 500-rupee notes and make two people happy.” The Indian official says, “I would drop 100 ten-rupee notes and make 100 people happy.”
The pilot says, “I’d like to drop all three of you out and make a billion people happy.”
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This was received from a student in the United States:
A Chinese girl, newly arrived at Harvard, has a long chat with the librarian about a book she is seeking. Finally he says, "I'll give you a ring tomorrow."
The Chinese girl is stunned. “Wow,” she says, clapping her hands. “You Americans really work fast.”
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Recent headline on a newspaper in the Philippines:
“Crucifixion bad for health”. The cutting was sent in by Chato Olivas-Gallo, who commented: “I saw this news headline and thought for a moment I was reading your column.”
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Five reasons why there won’t be a South Asian in the US White House any time soon.
5. White House not big enough for in-laws.
4. Western dignitaries intimidated by eating with fingers at state dinners.
3. Agarbattis (incense sticks) will set off smoke alarms.
2. Visitors such as Queen Elizabeth won’t like having to take off shoes at the door.
1. Aides will dislike being addressed as “Peon” and being made to live in huts in the garden.
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Here’s a piece of globalized humour, both Eastern and Western:
Barack Obama goes to China to see how the Olympic preparations are coming along. “How come you guys win all the medals?” he asks.
The Chinese coach replies: “We train all our sports people using Asian philosophy. I’ll show you.”
Basketball player Yao Ming is passing by. The Chinese coach asks him: “He is not your brother, but he is your father’s son. Who is he?”
Yao Ming thinks for a few seconds. “It is me.”
“Interesting, thanks,” says Obama. He goes back to America and visits footballer David Beckham, who now lives in Los Angeles. “David, here’s a riddle. He is not your brother but he is your father’s son. Who is he?”
“Wot? I dunno,” says Beckham.
“It’s Asian philosophical training. Think about it,” says Obama.
Beckham goes to consult Tiger Woods, a sportsman with Asian blood. “He is not your brother but he is your father’s son. Who is he?”
Tiger Woods thinks about it. “I know. It’s me.”
David Beckham goes back to see Obama. “I know the answer to the riddle.”
“What is it?” Obama asks.
“It’s Tiger Woods,” says Beckham.
“No, you idiot,” says Obama. “It’s Yao Ming.”
