Many comedians often write jokes about their ethnic back- ground. This technique does, unfortunately, play into stereotypes. Whereas it is acceptable in the stand-up comedy world, it is usually not appropriate for corporate presentations. I will show you how you can bring the idea into a more digestible format.
It is always good to make light of yourself at the beginning of a presentation (or comedy set) because it can help endear you to the audience. Comics will take a humorous view of their own ethnicity. They will actually make light of their own upbringing (Like Jeff Foxworthy talking about being a redneck) or even using the stereotypes of their heritage. If their mother and father are of different background this can be a lot of fun. They are actually a “combination” of two different backgrounds.
They then play what if? What if these two stereotypes forged together and became you? What would that be like? What kind of problems would this cause?
Remember this can be offensive to some people. I do not condone it, but feel it will help you learn how some humor is created. This is usually acceptable in a comedy club environment, especially when comedians talk about themselves. It gives them permission to make fun of it. Ironically, others with a similar background usually enjoy it the most (because they can relate).
Here is one of my first jokes. My mom is Polish and my dad is French. What did I do with that? Back in 1992 I tried several things, but ended up using:
“I’m ½ French and ½ Polish which means I have a very romantic love life, but it’s a joke.”
It worked, though it really did not make logical sense. I used the romance of the French, and the over abundance of Polish jokes out there.
Another example: If your mother is Irish and your father is Italian, what would that mean? In Boston there were many comedians of this ethnic combination. A common joke used by them was:
The comedian would say, “I’m ½ Irish and ½ Italian which means I used to get drunk and beat myself up.”
Combining the Irish “drinking” and the aggressiveness of an Italian. Notice that they said “beat themselves up” and not someone else. At the beginning of your presentation you want to be liked, and you do not want to be perceived as mean. Beating up others would not be good.
What could you do with that idea?
It is always good to make light of yourself at the beginning of a presentation (or comedy set) because it can help endear you to the audience. Comics will take a humorous view of their own ethnicity. They will actually make light of their own upbringing (Like Jeff Foxworthy talking about being a redneck) or even using the stereotypes of their heritage. If their mother and father are of different background this can be a lot of fun. They are actually a “combination” of two different backgrounds.
They then play what if? What if these two stereotypes forged together and became you? What would that be like? What kind of problems would this cause?
Remember this can be offensive to some people. I do not condone it, but feel it will help you learn how some humor is created. This is usually acceptable in a comedy club environment, especially when comedians talk about themselves. It gives them permission to make fun of it. Ironically, others with a similar background usually enjoy it the most (because they can relate).
Here is one of my first jokes. My mom is Polish and my dad is French. What did I do with that? Back in 1992 I tried several things, but ended up using:
“I’m ½ French and ½ Polish which means I have a very romantic love life, but it’s a joke.”
It worked, though it really did not make logical sense. I used the romance of the French, and the over abundance of Polish jokes out there.
Another example: If your mother is Irish and your father is Italian, what would that mean? In Boston there were many comedians of this ethnic combination. A common joke used by them was:
The comedian would say, “I’m ½ Irish and ½ Italian which means I used to get drunk and beat myself up.”
Combining the Irish “drinking” and the aggressiveness of an Italian. Notice that they said “beat themselves up” and not someone else. At the beginning of your presentation you want to be liked, and you do not want to be perceived as mean. Beating up others would not be good.
What could you do with that idea?
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