Posted by deirdrehbrt on October 22, 2003, at 13:09:29
In reply to Redirected: Redneck Humor and Civility, posted by Dr. Bob on October 22, 2003, at 1:29:43
I had married into a re.....er....deep-woods Pensylvanian family. My Father-in-law was known for his quirks. Upon first meeting my new family, prior to being engaged, I entered the house, and He, and my future Mother-in-law were watching XXX-rated movies. They politely invited me to sit with them. I declined the invitation.
During one meal, my Father-in-law was sitting at table, and my mother-in-law went to take his empty plate away. My newish dad quickly responded with his fork, and pinned her hand to the table.
Gaining culture, My in-laws took a cruise with friends. When the wait-person presents my 'Dad' with desert, my dad asked what it was. The waiter responds "Why it's chocolate mouse sir.". My 'Dad' responds with "Chocolate mouse? Looks like the moose got sick!"
There are many other tales, and it was an interesting family. I was divorced a few years ago, but I still see that part of the family. Everyone of these tales, when spoken about at family gatherings (my daughters' birthdays, etc.) still bring up chuckles.
I never thought about my Father-in-law as a bad person. He certainly has unique ways about him, and he does things that most people around here would consider odd. On the other hand, he is a man very generous with his time. He is never afraid to get dirty to help someone else work with their car. If someone is in need and he can help, he will.
He is a good worker. I also had the opportunity to work with him at a very large fortune 100 company. He was a manufacturing engineering technician, and could set up production lines to build just about anything. He is now retired.
I guess that my point is that we always joked about things, and the way he did them. The cultural differences were amusing, not threatening. I think cultural differences can be used for many different reasons. They can be used to put someone down. They can be used to bring cultures together. They can be used for humor, and they can be used to drive huge wedges.
Some forms of humor are best at different areas. You can tell a bit of humor, and it will make someone feel bad. You can tell the same thing, but with explanation first, and it won't hurt anyone's feelings, because they know where you are coming from.
I appreciate humor, sometimes even when it's directed at me, as long as it doesn't have a malicious intent. I classify family humor as being in the same area. If my Father-in-law read those anecdotes, he wouldn't be offended. I have no worry of waking with a 30-06 pointed at me and hearing the lever cocking the rifle. He is a good man, and likes humor, and has generated alot of it.
Dee.
poster:deirdrehbrt
thread:271227
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031020/msgs/271905.html