I recently returned from a trip to Amsterdam for a conference. I gave a talk at Tilburg University on Humor and the Common Good, which is my current book project. It was a great time, made even better because I got to bring family—my wife and youngest son. We added on a few days on the front end of the trip so we could visit the Anne Frank House, museums, see the sights, and enjoy the Netherlands. The cheese was and is awesome. The weather alternated between cold and rainy, cold and sunny, windy, snow, and even a little hail. I heard the locals quip more than a couple times about how the weather there changes a lot. It seems most folks regardless of where they live like to complain that the weather changes on a whim.
Most hosts are understanding and/or forgiving of an attempt at humor (especially when the host is familiar with your own personal culture through professional connections). Self-deprecating humor helps dispel the "Ugly American" stereotype. When you find your "humor soul mate" in another country, it's marvelous.
Most hosts are understanding and/or forgiving of an attempt at humor (especially when the host is familiar with your own personal culture through professional connections). Self-deprecating humor helps dispel the "Ugly American" stereotype. When you find your "humor soul mate" in another country, it's marvelous.