Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.

I am not very PC. In fact my father used to say of me that I only opened my mouth to change feet. He once suggested that I make a card that read “Have Foot in mouth: Will Travel”

I do believe however that the best kind of humor is self deprecating….. in other words when we laugh at ourselves.

Recently I was told this joke by a young Swiss gentleman who wanted to share a laugh with me about his culture.

“Did you know that In Heaven the cooks are French, the policemen are English, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and the bankers are Swiss… But in Hell the cooks are English, the policemen are German, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss and the bankers are Italian.”

I found this so refreshing…… and I was delighted to laugh with him…. and at the French, English, German and Italian cultures.

Bono was interviewed in the US several years ago and when asked to describe the Irish psyche on success and ambition he explained “….. well….. an Irishman once climbed the ladder of success and when he was near the top he looked down and then realized just how funny he looked…. and he laughed so hard that he fell off the ladder”

Could you tell that story about yourself….. or your political party… or your religious beliefs?

How about… In Heaven… the convicts are all Australian but in hell the diplomats are all Australian.

I am sure this will be offensive to some… but not to Australians. (Fingers crossed)

Rule number 1 down under ….. be the first to laugh at yourself… before someone else does. Because believe me, if you can’t laugh at yourself in Australia (even if you are visiting) you will suffer badly. If you have a big nose prepare a few Cyrano de Bergerac one liners… if you have red hair get your clown jokes ready.

You think I’m kidding.

In Australia (and most other Commonwealth countries) we tend to take this a little too far. And maybe we tread on a few toes and wound a few souls. But… let’s face it… most of the worlds problems begin when people start taking themselves too seriously.

Everyone needs to lighten up a little.

Maybe spend a few minutes considering your foibles… your posture… your dress code… your mannerisms. Notice anything funny or peculiar?

Need some help?

What about your politics or your religion?

I know these are sacred topics especially here in America and God forbid we make jokes about them.

But if God doesn’t have a sense of humor then we are all in trouble and I for one will surely burn in… well you know where… I just don’t want to say the word… in case some one takes it the wrong way… and thinks I don’t take the subject seriously.