What defines a "Virginia" sense of humor?

[Fern435]

Originally Posted by normie

When I moved here from California I had to learn a new sense of humor. I knew mostly surfer jokes. And California take a humorous pride in being "out there" and "wierd." That kind of humor just earned me blank stares in Virginia (or, at least in Loudoun County. Things are different the closer you get to DC.)

Yes, believe it or not Virginians do have a sense of humor. It's reserved and it's subtle... but after you've been here awhile it really grows on you. So for the benefit of newcomers to our fine state, let's try to define what makes up a Virginia sense of humor.

Here are a few of my observations:

1. Irony is big here. "In" jokes that depend on know certain details about certain people are very big. Political humor is big, especially if it is witty, Jay Leno's brand of humor does very well here. So does Jon Stewart's.

2. Humor must be respectful of the "victim" in the joke. You can rip someone to shreds but you have to add an ending that adds a witty, positive twist.

3. Try to tone down the emotion. Aggressive humor is a turn off here (at least in my part of town). If you tell a story about a situation that makes you angry, don't have anger in your voice. And whatever you do, don't whine! Woody Allen's whiney neurotic humor really bombs here. Instead, be aloof--ironic--above it all. Roll your eyes a lot. If you've ever seen "Fraiser" the kind of jokes he tells do well here.

4. Bathroom jokes, sexist jokes, racist jokes, etc. will fall flat. I think it's because we are so near to DC. Every year the news stations show 4-5 people who suddenly find their political careers ruined because they were caught laughing at inappropriate humor. It makes people think.

5. Puns and tall tales go over well here. People considered "very funny" around here always seem to have a witty surprise twist at the end of a story.

6. I've also noticed sound effects and imitations do well here. I have a rather long joke about dog parks. When I tell it here I add lots of imitations of the ways various dogs bark--and it's a smash hit because of the imitations. When I tell it in Long Island people find my imitations of dog barking annoying--to them, it just makes a long joke even longer. Be careful with imitations, though. You are better off imitating animals and inanimate objects than people. If you imitate a person, be sure you add something at the end that shows that person respect.

7. Self-deprecating humor is popular here, although remember to keep it light. I think it's the respect issue again. People won't laugh if you put yourself down too much or act depressed or like you're a loser. Around here people find confidence very attractive. People will laugh along with you if you show yourself some respect. Try to add a surprise twist at the end that gives a reason why the detail about yourself that you just made fun of could also be seen as a benefit. Whenever I would slip into my old "beach" humor I would laugh and make self-deprecating jokes about being from California. Worked every time.

Studied humor and practiced lines go over well with folks who have to fit in with the conformists.

Visionaries don't think like the herd.

[vanyali]

Originally Posted by The_Fairfaxian

Indeed. Virginians, including those outside NoVA, tend to have a progressive (or at least indiscriminate) attitude, at least when compared with a lot of people from the Atlantic Northeast, including its neighbor to the north. Don't believe me, compare the Democratic Primary Results between Virginia and Maryland (including the young vote).

I'm not sure I understood what you just said. Are you saying that Marylanders are more racist (or at least less PC, whichever way you want to look at it) than Virginians? How is that shown in the primary results? Didn't Obama sweep all three jurisdictions in the "Potomac Primary?" I'm not saying you're wrong, I just don't really know what it is you're saying.

[snuggarelli]

my DH is from F'burg. I'm from Norcal. I spent 2 years in VA (Dumfries and Leesburg). I absolutely loved my house, but just hated being close to MIL. Transferred to Norcal, and spent 10 years here with no hope of becoming a stay-at-home mom for my kids. DH is suggesting we move back to VA so that I can stay home, but Normie reminded me of some of the things I didn't like about VA. Yes, my DH claims that the great thing about VA is that you get to know your neighbors. And in Norcal we just don't do that (they might be a drug dealer or something). But I remember we had some nice neighbors but as time went by they were kind of aloof. Not sure if I offended them or what. Oh well. That is the whole reason why we californians don't get to know our neighbors. No drama to deal with.

So, question is - do I take the chance to move back to VA from CA so that my DH can be somewhere he likes (he says CA is like the desert to him) and give me an oppty to be home with the kids? Or do I stay in CA where I will still have to have a job and daycare for the kids? I'm actually leaning towards VA at this point even though I already left it once. For one thing, we stopped communicating with our MIL - so less drama there. And would like to be there for my children. BTW: his ENTIRE family lives in f'burg and my parents, sisters, and brother live dispersed in Norcal (the rest of my family is out in Texas, all over the US, and Japan).

So, Normie - are you adjusting ok? Or are you screaming to come back to expensive CALI?

[normie]

Originally Posted by snuggarelli

So, Normie - are you adjusting ok? Or are you screaming to come back to expensive CALI?

Screaming to go back to Redondo Beach? No. I had a great time there but I like living in a place with 4 seasons. And I really like kayaking on rivers (the ocean is fun to look at but too rough for me to play in).

I just moved again, this time to North Georgia. So far we're adjusting well. Spring came to the Georgia mountains and that made all the difference in the world. We had some strong winds the other day--that was exciting but actually not as bad as the tv news made it sound. The mountains protected us to some degree, so we weren't hit as badly as Atlanta.

When I first moved I was very homesick... as you might be for California. Now, time is passing and so is the homesickness. I rarely even look at the VA forum these days. I just don't have time anymore. I'm driving up to VA next week, it will be interesting to see how it feels to be back in my old stomping grounds.