Telling a joke well isn’t easy, and I, for one, sometimes get lost along the way. I might miss the punch line, miss an important bit out, I may be too keen to tell the joke, and it comes out garbled - or the person I am telling it to just doesn’t get my sense of humour. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins and reduces tension, helping people navigate tough situations. Laughter is so good for you, it lowers stress hormones, releases natural painkillers, boosts immune function and improves cardiovascular health, as laughter dilates blood vessels, enhancing overall blood flow and oxygen intake. Goodness me, it should be available over the counter at the pharmacy!

What is a sense of humour?

I looked it up. And Google says: ‘A sense of humour is the cognitive and emotional ability to perceive what is funny, appreciate comedic situations, and express amusement. It is a vital personality trait that allows individuals to laugh at themselves, cope with stress, and build social connections.’ Hmm.

I think that what makes people laugh varies entirely by personal preference. Some of the most common styles include self-deprecating humour, where you can make yourself the butt of the joke. People find humour in puns, double meanings, and clever phrasing. Slapstick is visual or physical comedy often involving clumsiness or exaggerated movements - think Laurel and Hardy, for instance. Another type of humour is dry or deadpan, where delivering jokes with an impassive, expressionless, or serious face can make your audience laugh.

Black humour

This is also known as dark comedy and is a style of comedy that makes light of serious, taboo, or painful subjects—such as death, tragedy, or disease. It aims to provoke discomfort, amusement, and serious thought, often serving as a psychological coping mechanism to process distressing situations. A simple example could take the form of a sign that says ‘Dead End’ on the road leading to a cemetery.

Ethnic humour

I’m not sure ‘ethnic humour’ is exactly the right title here, as my meaning is humour from other countries, rather than a racial slur to insult or degrade other countries or beliefs.

The English sense of humour is renowned for its distinct blend of wit, sarcasm, and absurdity. Rather than aiming for big, joyful punchlines, it often finds comedy in the mundane, tragic, or awkward moments of everyday life. It acts as a coping mechanism or an ice-breaker in social settings.

Credits: Pexels; Author: Keira Burton;

The Dutch have directness and bluntness: they are famously straightforward, which translates directly into their comedy. The punchline can sometimes sound brutal or like a harsh observation to outsiders.

The American sense of humour is a little different, leaning heavily toward optimism, observational humour, and directness, very often using ‘slapstick’ for comedic effect. While it incorporates sarcasm, jokes are usually made obvious rather than deeply subtle.

The Portuguese sense of humour is said to be characterised by clever wordplay, light teasing, and a distinct blend of irony and understatement. Often compared to British dry wit, it relies heavily on deadpan delivery rather than over-the-top antics, and Portugal was notably ranked the second funniest globally in international studies. Ironia and Sarcasmo - the Portuguese use irony playfully and sarcasm more critically. A classic example is stating ‘está um tempo maravilhoso’ (it's wonderful weather) during torrential rain. And in the 20th century, a major historical pillar of Portuguese comedy is the Revista, a traditional theatrical vaudeville-style humour characterised by sharp political satire, double entendres, and social critique.

A country that doesn’t show much humour at all is said to be Germany - now don’t shoot the messenger here. A typical German will most likely not joke with you unless you've been friends for quite some time. They seem to find jokes about stereotypes very funny (but only about other countries!), and it is noted that many find it funny when someone makes a mistake, fails at something, or hurts themselves. It is noted that when the Germans had a few beers, they would finally open up a little and be a little funnier.

Maybe the art of telling a joke is beer.