Do you laugh at ethnic jokes?

Self-deprecating...maybe, although it still puts me ill at ease (given the fact that someone might hear it and tell it to others "out of context"). Otherwise, no, absolutely not.

Yes, yes i do.

Without being vague to the point of being obtuse, it's less about "who" is telling the joke and really more about the joke itself. It's like pornography - you know when you see it etc. There is some ethnic humor that is 1) clearly gentle ribbing and 2) sort of an insight into people (as a universal category - not "a people" as an ethnic dimension), into structures of race, or whatever. Again, it's a lot about who's telling the joke, how they tell is, and what the joke itself is about ..... So I think a white dude *can* get away with some kinds of ethnic humor (after all, ethnic groups *do* share similarities internally and differences across groups, and it's not like clever white dudes are *totally* oblivious to these differences), but there are limits.

Usually, yeah. But sometimes certain jokes go too far. I've heard people tell a joke that I'd personally never repeat. Then again, without specific examples coming to mind, I'm can't help but be vague. Of course, I have ethic friends who make jokes about their own racial stereotypes, so my opinion could be somewhat skewed.

Yes, I do.
Especially ones about Greeks/Lebanese/Cypriots.

I laugh if it's funny. But I'm more comfortable about it if the person telling the joke is of the ethnicity that the joke is about.

Well, you know what they say about Eriaduans and Tattooineans...

This is sort of an in-group thing, but then again, 'in-group things' also tend to be prejudicial. I could explain that statement some more, but if I have to explain it, you just won't understand.

I mostly feel uncomfortable when I hear ethnic jokes, particularly if they are about Aborigines, and I certainly never repeat them. I cannot figure out why some white people seem to assume that because I am white I must think the way they do and therefore be racist and find their jokes hilariously funny.

funny you should bring it up. I've had a lot of that lately from clients I'm working for. Several of them, fit exactly that stereotype. I am so like wtf with these guys. And some of the things they say are just totally off the deep end. Beond possibly questionable ethnic humor to just downright horrifyingly bigoted.

I totally don't get it. And I'd very much like to know how other people deal with that. These are people who, I am in thier home working for. I sadly don't feel I can just jump down thier throat and rant about how offensive it is. BUt I damn sure am not going to go along. I usually just give them the hairy eyeball and quiet up to give them the hint but sometimes they will pester me about it instead of just shuting up. I hate them. WHy won't they shut up ? They know they're not funny. I think the roids just make them get a kick out of being as obnoxious as possible.
It's like installing the kitchen at Ron Pauls house. ANd he lives 15 minutes from you.
And thinks you LOVE hangin out with him.

Does this mean others can see my new avatar on the boards before I can?

Yes, but I'm a horrible role-model.


Stay in school kids!

I laugh at anything that's funny. There are certainly patterns of certain types of ethnic jokes that tend to be funnier than others, but most anything might be funny at one point or another.

does this rule also extend to people with certain differences?

can i tell blond jokes even though im not blond?

or should i stick to black hair being emo because my own hair is black?

This is interesting, because I was kinda in a situation like this myself recently. I was at a VFW with my grandfather and a few guys were talking about how "niggers would never show up in this joint" and they were all laughing, and the thing is I started laughing myself. I fucking couldn't help it. But the difference is, I was laughing at how fucking idiotic they were. Basically, I wasn't laughing with them, I was laughing at them. The issue is this, am I gonna start raising cain with a bunch of drunk vets? No, 'cause I probably would have gotten my face bashed in. Take the lesson for what you will, but the ironic thing is that it was supposedly a very liberal VFW post (that is, the community, county, state and really even the post itself is known as being really liberal). What's the point? I don't know...

Sorry, that's a no go for me. And they're not racist? Fuck that...if they said that around kids I went to highschool with they'd be bound to get shot--no joke...

Ethnicity, and hair color are not the same! I really hope you can appreciate the difference...

nope. they are not. and i do. HOWEVER...the point is the level of offensiveness is created by the person who hears it and in the intent that it is told.

my roommate and i have 'blackfest' every year. watermelon. fried chicken. grape soda. etc etc etc. does this constitute racism? perhaps. but guess what? he is black. there is still some watermelon in the fridge for those that want some.

and once in a while he gives me a twinkie because im of mixed japanese decent

prehaps some asian people will get the joke... but wait. that was offensive too. im sorry. forgot to be offended.

But say if some black comedian that I really like does some black jokes in his show, I will happily repeat them to other white friends and family and I don't feel bad, or think anything of it.

Agree! I don't know, if they're actually funny that's one thing. If they're just mean, or crude (and nearly all of them are) it's classless, bigoted and vicious. I'm not down with that.