Egyptian Sense of Humor
Egyptian Sense of Humor
Have you ever wondered what you really mean when you tell anyone that you are an Egyptian? I am Egyptian, but what does that mean? In other words, what does being an “Egyptian” mean other than having Egyptian hereditary and roots? There is definitely an answer to that question, yet it all varies from one person to another; how they see the definition of “Egyptians.” However, there is one thing that is basic in almost all peoples definitions; something that is quite recognizable: it is undeniable that one thing that separates Egyptians from all other races and places them on a somehow special place is their sense of humor.
Famous director Woody Allen has once claimed that “being funny is not anyones first choice,” and this perfectly explains that any conscious attempt of being funny is not really “humorous.” Humor is like a gift from God, youre either born with it or without it. Its not something that you learn by time, or try to imitate for example. A lot of surveys have proved that Egyptians are the most with this blessed gift. If we consider talking about one of the main areas that Egyptians have excelled in; Egyptian cinema, we will have a humbly good witness to the Egyptian sense of humor. Comedy is one of the main genres that base the history of Egyptian cinema. Egyptian actors like Ismail Yassine, Hassan Fayeq, Abdel Moneim Ibraheem, Adel Emam, Zeinat Sedky, Marie Moneib, Mahmoud Shoukoukou, Muhammad Hneidy, Ahmed Helmy, Ahmed Mekky, and a lot others; they are hardly countable. What is important to notice is that with all the changes that Egyptian Cinema has gone through, “comedy” remains permanent till our present day. Egyptian audience seeks movies that will make them “laugh,” something that is part and parcel of their everyday lives. Interestingly, in modern Egyptian movies of any genre, comedy has been found to play an essential role that aims at what we call a “comic relief.” This means we can watch a completely tragic movie that contains one or two unforgettable scenes that make u laugh your butts off!
According to Egyptians, sense of humor is not just an attribute they are associated with, but it is a way of life. Humor includes the funny jokes that are exchanged everyday between workers, colleagues, children, the smile on everyones face, the optimism, the hope. Through laughter the burdens of life are lightened, adversity is made bearable. “Egyptians laugh at many things. The contradictions of daily life provide them with plenty of material. Every region may also have a unique taste of humor, so what you hear in Cairo would be different from that in Luxor or Alexandria. But all Egyptian jokes aim at one thing only: a smile on the face of the receiver. A laugh is a bonus.”
One of the funny stories that have been exchanged over a long period of time is the “Push Bush” story, which has been found to be one hell of a joke! The story goes that along the return of one of the Egyptian citizens from his visit to the USA, he explained that in USA the President has his name written on nearly all the doors, why isnt it the same in Egypt? Well, this story came under President BUSH (senior). Of course you now may wonder whether the doors meant “BUSH” or “PUSH.” This is far away from a mock! But we all realize that more than 50% of the Egyptians do not really differentiate between the P and B sounds … uhhh will it differ THAT much, they think! So, this is part of their unintentional humor, which tourists find really amusing. They are always welcomed to “have a nice TRIB” and be “HABBY” in their stay in Egypt. Isn’t that funny?
Egyptians are friendly, hospitable and modest. They also have a sense of balance and moderation. Egypt remains one of the more secure and friendly countries in the world for tourists. Egyptians are easy to get on with and will go out of their way to help foreign visitors find their way, or invite them for a meal or a tea. This generosity is part of the culture and a product of the harsh living conditions which value sharing and giving. These factors also give rise to the Egyptian sense of humor. Egyptians laugh at their way of life, and everything else under the sun. Even political leaders take it as a compliment to be subject to popular jokes. The lack of jokes is usually a sign that something is wrong. Through laughter the burdens of life are lightened, adversity is made bearable. Egyptians, like a lot of other people, ask the mercy of God when feeling desperate. The expression “Ra7metak ya Rab” (Your Mercy, OLord) is almost one of the main expressions used everyday by Egyptians. On that expression, a joke was founded; that a poor family