Defined by humour

The best way to understand another country is to get to grips with its sense of humour, says Guardian writer Joris Luyendijk. Included in a list of jokes told in various countries — generally mocking of a neighbour — is one from New Zealand. Both the New Zealand and Australian jokes involve alcohol. “An Australian rugby fan, a South African rugby fan and a New Zealand rugby fan are all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a smuggled crate of booze when Saudi police rush in and arrest them …” The Australian joke begins: “Two Aussies are adrift in a lifeboat. While rummaging through the boat’s provisions, one of them finds an old lamp. He rubs it and a genie appears. The genie grants them one wish only. Without giving it much thought, the lamp finder says, ‘Turn the ocean into VB Beer!’”