Sense of humour in Malta

Bhavna wrote:

Hello everyone,

Should we set out to explore Malteses culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas.

What is special about the sense of humour in Malta?

Is it acceptable to joke about any situations?

What is typically funny and what is absolutely not funny?

Are there any popular comedians in Malta and how would one be able to discover them (stand-up shows, festivals, internet, etc.)?

What is the funniest joke you have heard in Malta?

Please share your experience,

Bhavna

There is none!

F0xgl0ve wrote:

Bhavna wrote:

Hello everyone,

Should we set out to explore Malteses culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas.

What is special about the sense of humour in Malta?

Is it acceptable to joke about any situations?

What is typically funny and what is absolutely not funny?

Are there any popular comedians in Malta and how would one be able to discover them (stand-up shows, festivals, internet, etc.)?

What is the funniest joke you have heard in Malta?

Please share your experience,

Bhavna

There is none!

Unless you're a Brit and brought some with you

They have a better sense of humour in Germany!

F0xgl0ve wrote:

They have a better sense of humour in Germany!

As a German I agree to the point that Maltese humour is almost invisible.
Germans are known they have no humour, but what I learned about Maltese humour means to ridicule
people from other countries. Now they sell for years a souvenir poster about an Italian in Malta.
On this poster the Italian does not know the difference between beach and bitch and that is causing a misuderstanding due to the poor  pronounciation of the Italian who tries to speak english.
This also means the Maltese are often haughty about their knowledge of English when it comes to other foreigners, apart from the Brits. At least once a week I meet a Maltese person who is asking me if I know english.

Well I've lived here over 30 years and here are my findings . . .

Although I'm generalizing, most Maltese do not have a sense of what I would call humour.
Example, many years ago I went to view an apartment with a local agent.
I was driven to a very un-savoury  locality let's just say in a run down tourist area in the north, that frankly hasn't improved with the passage of time.
I really didn't even want to bother getting out of the car as it was a winters day and the general environs looked reminiscent of down-town Bagdad  !!
However the agent, commission driven of course, was insistent that I view the apartment . . . To make his day, I relented and just knew it was going to be s...t hole and of course I wasn't disappointed hahaha.  But the really funny thing was, or would be at least to a Brit, as I stepped over the threshold of this crumbling rat infested hole, I turned and said to the ever eager agent in a semi-horrified tone "OMG I wouldn't even put my dog in here. . ."  and the agent replied with a look of utter consternation on his face  "MADAM  You have a dog??  You wish to bring your dog ??  I'm sorry madam, we do not allow pet's in here, oh no, you can not bring your dog!"

ENOUGH SAID I THINK . . . .

But to be fair, I have many friends who are 50/50  Half Maltese and half British, or Maltese/Australian, some Canadian but most of whom have also lived outside of Malta, and yes indeed these lovely people have a great sense of humour and I enjoy their company greatly.

And fairer still, despite my opening comment - I would totally recommend that if you want to see Maltese self-depreciating sense of humour at it's very best, make a point of going to see "The comedy Knights" or watch them on YouTube, if you understand that special brand of Maltese mentality - it'll be the funniest thing you have ever clapped your eyes on.  ENJOY, VIVA MALTA !!

Seek and you shall find . . . .   Read my post and you will find