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Every country has its own culture, and if the culture is different, the humor will be also different.There are many famous jokes in America, but these may be difficult for non-Americans to understand. For example, a Texan, a Russian and a New Yorker go to a restaurant in London. The waiter tells them, “Excuse me — if you were going to order the steak, I’m afraid there’s a shortage due to the mad cow disease.” The Texan says, “What’s a shortage?” The Russian says, “What’s a steak?” The New Yorker says, “What’s ‘excuse me’?”
Here’s another example:
A little kid asks his father, “Is God a man or a woman?” “Both, son, God is both.” After a while the kid comes again and asks, “Is God black or white?” “Both, son, both.” “Does God love children?” “Yes, son, he loves all children.” The child returns a few minutes later and asks, “Is God Michael Jackson?”
When Japanese hear these jokes, do they laugh? Some jokes are interesting for Japanese, too, but I think jokes depend on the culture, religion, language, food and music of the country. Therefore, there are many Japanese jokes that are difficult for foreigners to understand, “dajare” for example. So if you want to understand foreign jokes, please learn the culture and the language of the country! (written by student Mr. S, edited by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Notes:
cram: 〔狭い所に〕〈ものを〉(無理に)詰め込む;

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Some Japanese words are very difficult to translate into English, and “juku” is one of them. Most dictionaries use the word “cram school,” but that gives a bad impression. It sounds like they are pushing information into your head. Kumon has become popular in the U.S., so when I saw a Kumon school in Portsmouth where my sister lives, I wanted to find out how they described themselves. I went up to the window and read the following: “The world’s most successful after-school learning program.” I think that “an after-school learning program” is a very good way to translate “juku.” (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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