The message behind Roma humour.

(From The Slovak Spectator)

Editorial JOKES can serve not only as a source of entertainment, but can also provide an excellent look into the mentality, opinions, and attitudes of those who tell them - and of those who find them funny. They resonate with audiences because they effectively address issues that interest them - ones they often find difficult to address seriously. The case of Roma jokes is no exception. A careful look at the way Slovak jokes depict the Roma community and its life therefore reveals the beliefs many Slovaks have about the Roma. Due to their explicit nature, it is not too difficult to decipher the messages they bare. It is especially important for foreigners to be aware of these stereotypes; otherwise, they just might not get the punchline. The following are a set of stereotypes about the Roma, which keep repeating themselves in various forms in most Roma jokes: Number one - the Roma are actually not the 'Roma'; they are Gypsies. In cases when the word 'Roma' is used, it is meant with a sarcastic undertone and what it really means is - Gypsy. Number two - the Roma have little or no understanding of hygiene; they wash rarely and live in filth. This belief is often reinforced by the ...