Whether we find a joke funny or not largely depends on were we have been
brought up. The sense of humour is mysteriously bound up with national
characteristics. A Frenchman, for instance, might find it hard to laugh at a
Russian joke. In the same way, a Russian might fail to see anything amusing in
a joke which would make an Englishman laugh to tears.#
Most funny stories are based on comic situations. In spite of national
differences, certain funny situations have a universal appeal. No matter where
you live, you would find it difficult not to laugh at, say, Charlie Chaplin's
early films. However, a new type of humour, which stems largely from the U.S.,
has recently come into fashion. It is called 'sick humour'. Comedians base
their jokes on tragic situation like violent death or serious accidents. Many
people find this sort of joke distasteful. The following example of 'sick
humour' will enable you to judge for yourself.#
A man who had broken his right leg was taken to hospital a few weeks before
Christmas. From the moment he arrived there, he kept on pestering his doctor
to tell him when he would be able to go home. He dreaded having to spend
Christmas in hospital. Though the doctors did his best, the patient's recovery
was slow. On Christmas Day, the man still had his right leg in plaster. He
spent a miserable day in bed thinking of all the fun he was missing. The
following day, however, the doctor consoled him by telling him that his
chances of being able to leave hospital in time for New Year celebrations were
good. The man took heart and, sure enough, on New Year's Eve he was able to
hobble along to a party. To compensate for his unpleasant experiences in
hospital, the man drank a little more than was good for him. In the process,
he enjoyed himself thoroughly and kept telling everybody how much he hated
hospitals. He was still mumbling something about hospitals at the end of the
party when he slipped on a piece of ice and broke his left leg.&