Do U stereotype?

Share/Save/Bookmark

Azadeh Azmoudeh
by Azadeh Azmoudeh
30-Sep-2008
 

Yesterday, I was talking to a co-worker of mine, whom I came to know about 7 years ago when used to go to the graduate school. John, my friend, has a side job as a stand up comedian. He is funny with a little bit of satire spice added to him:). John is a very intellectual young man, who also has a degree in philosophy and world religion. OK, enough of introduction! While we were sitting out and enjoying the afternoon breeze, I asked him about his up-coming competition with other stand-up comedian. His face turned bitter and he told me that most of th epeople come to his show, prefer him to use dirty jokes. There was a disappointment in his look when he talked about an old lady of 78 who might win, because she used a very nasty and dirty sexual content in her semi-final, which blew away every audience's mind and the place was crazy with their applauding for such a degrading joke. Apparently, she had mimicked a viberator's sound, and pretended enjoying it. Alright! I was kind of amused thinking about a 78-year-old lady explaining stuff behind her private doors; however, was it really funny? To john it was not. Why? Because to him it was a little bit overwhelming to hear an "old lady" winning over him for disclosing the stuff that was too much for someone her age. And getting the audience attention? That was too much on his part. I asked him which was the worst for him, her part or that she might win. He explained to me "an old lady" using the language that is not appropriate for her age, acting that is worse that the language, and winning the audience all bothered him. I told him if he was aware of steretyping, and he believed he was and sometimes being stereotypical is helpful. I believe he was valid to some degree. But looking back at our own culture, I can see we have so many jokes about different people of our country: Yek Torke, Yek Rashtiyeh, Esfehaniyeh, Ghazviniyeh, and Abadaani (by the way, I have not heard anything about people of Tehran) I do have a Tabrizi friend who tells jokes about her own people! Where do we draw the line? Or should we?

Why can't an old lady do that? Who are we to judge what she should do or is appropriate for her to do? What is having boundary and the relation between that and comedy? How helpful is stereotyping?

Share/Save/Bookmark

Recently by Azadeh AzmoudehCommentsDate
Pro-choice, Man Advocate, or Feminist?
4
Oct 25, 2008
What a Small World II !
1
Oct 19, 2008
What a Small World!
-
Oct 04, 2008
more from Azadeh Azmoudeh
 
ebi amirhosseini

skatermom aziz

by ebi amirhosseini on

 

مارمولكه ميره مشهد، ميشه مشمولك! چند وقت بعد بزرگ ميشه، ميشه مشمول... ميبرنش سربازي

==========

 

مشهدیه ميره توالت، بعد يك ربع با دهن خوني مالي مياد بيرون. رفيقش ميپرسه: چي شد فرهاد؟ لره ميگه: گي بگيرن، مسواكش خيلي بزرگ بي!

aragh mokhorom,mast nemerom !

legad be divaar mezonom, pas nemerom!

*******

 اصفهانیه داشته نوار روضه گوش میداده میزنه آخر نوار ببینه شام ميدن یا نه

*******

از يه لره ميپرسن تو شما آدم مشهور هم هست ميگه آره .... سوفيا لُره ! ، اليزابت تاي لُر ، لُر و هاردی .... يه ماده شيميائی هم هست که اختراع خودمونه بهش ميگن کلُر  *******

يه دفعه یه آبادانيه تو بيابون گم ميشه ، و داشته از تشنگی ميمرده .... خلاصه هی ميگفته آب آب آآآآآ آب .... يه دفعه ميرسه به يه چشمه دستاشو ميزنه تو آب ميکشه به موهاش ميگه آخيــــــــــش ، وُلک  راحت شدم تيپ موهام خراب شده بود  داشتم ميمردما

*********

به آبادانيه خبر ميدن كه بابات مرده، ميگه: آخ جون... از فردا تريپ مشكي با عينک دودي   ***دو تا بلوچه ميرن تهران يك فولكس قورباغه اي ميخرن، برميگردن طرف بلوچستان. نزديكاي زاهدان يهو فولكسه خاموش ميشه، هركار ميكنن ديگه روشن نميشه. يكيشون برميگرده به اون يكي ميگه: اوره ياسروك، برو نگاه كن ببين ماشين چه مرگش زده. ياسروك ميره درِ كاپوتو باز ميكنه، يك نگاه ميكنه با تعجب ميگه: اوره كَريموك! بيا كه ماشين موتور ا! نداره!  خلاصه اولي پياده ميشه مياد يك نگاه ميندازه، ميگه: برو از صندوق عقب ابزار بيار، خودم درستش ميكنم! خلاصه ياسروك ميره درِ صندوق عقب رو وا ميكنه، يهو داد ميزنه: اوره كريموك! بيا كه از تهران تا اينجا دنده عقب اومديم! 

 

*******لره به تركه ميگه: نميدونم چرا از سكس سير نميشم، تركه ميگه: بزار لاي بربري سير مي‌شي 


default

I'm half Rashti and I was

by skatermom (not verified) on

I'm half Rashti and I was born in Rasht. My mother however is Khorasani. Nobody ever seems to pick on the Khorasani side. I'd love to learn some Khorasani stereotypes to shut my maternal side up once and for all. Other than the standard modonom o namodonom I'm at a loss. Any Meshedis out there that have any suggestions. As for line drawing. I don't get offended by being called a fish head eater or a kaleh pacheh fan. I just never have any good rebuttals especially for the sophisticated Tehranis.


default

Ray Ban glasses

by Abadani (not verified) on

The joke about Abadani in sheep skip is one of my favourite jokes except as Azadeh said it's Ray Ban glasses, which Abadanis pronounce as 'raybon'.

Here is another abadani joke:

یه آبادانی با رفیقش تو هواپیما بود که ناگهان خلبان میگه هواپیما اشکال فنی پیدا کرده هر چه دارید بریزید بیرون. بعد که همه چیزارو ریختند بیرون دوباره خلبان میگه کافی‌ نبود، یک نفر باید خودش را فدای دیگران بکنه. آبادانیه از جاش بلند می‌شه، عینک ریبون شو از رو صورتش بر میداره میده به رفیقش و میگه اینه بده به ننم بگو جاسم فدای راه لاف شد.


default

samsam1111

by Anonymously (not verified) on

a great impression of the way some people write here LOL barikalla!


Azadeh Azmoudeh

samsam1111

by Azadeh Azmoudeh on

Cheers to you too!

PEACE


samsam1111

K han oom , ; ' he; llo

by samsam1111 on

Sarry . mi englis not good. my'',  grammer bad bad' < .I hope i not  insulting **ANYone by me gRammer.; it,s no my falt. 

Cheers Azadeh!!


Azadeh Azmoudeh

لوس

Azadeh Azmoudeh


عالی بود،یادم باشه برای دوست ترکم تعریف کنم اینقدر پشت سر ما فارسا(!) حرف نزنه فکر نکنه برای ما حرف در نمیارن!!!!!!!!!!!!

PEACE


default

stereotype tehrani

by ‫لوس (not verified) on

يه روز يه پير مرده سوار الاغ اش شده بود و چوپوق می كشيد...
چند تا جوون تهرانی بهش گير ميدن ميگن عمو جان از چوپوق ات بده الاغ هم بكشه!
پيرمرده مكسی می كنه :ميگه الاغ ام بچه تهرونه چوپوق نمی كشه. وينيستون می كشه!!

---------------

به تهرانيه ميگن راه هاي پول در آوردن را بگو!
‫ميگه سه راه براي پولدار شدن وجود داره:
‫۱− بابات برات پول دربياره.
‫۲− بابای مردم رو در بياری.
‫ ۳− بابات در بياد تا پول در بياری!
----------------
يه تهرانيه ميره خواستگاری، پدر دختره ميپرسه: خونه داري؟ ميگه: نه! ماشين داری؟ نه! كار داری؟ نه! پدر دختره شاكی میگه: پس چی داری كه اومدی خواستگاری؟ تهرونيه ميگه: پشت مو رو حال می‌كنی؟!
------------------
‫یه روز یه ترکه و یه تهرونی داشتن با هم تو خیابون راه میرفتن که یکهو یک خره عرعر میکنه و بعد باد مزاج در میکنه.
‫تهرانی به ترکه میگه هم ولایتیت چی گفت؟
‫ترکه بهش برمیگرده میگه: والا، اولش ترکی حرف زد ولی بعد فارسی قاتیش کرد خوب متوجه نشدم!


Azadeh Azmoudeh

لوس

Azadeh Azmoudeh


آخه هر عینک دودی نبوده که،عینک

!!!!!raiban بوده

Any Tehrani Joke???????????

PEACE


default

stereotype ghomi

by لوس (not verified) on

من اجدادم از قم میان این خوشگلترین جکیه که از اونجا میشنایم


‫دو تا قمی با هم عروسی می کنن بچه شون می شه قمقمه!


‫وگرنه یک جک آبادانی بلدم، با عرض معذرت از دوستانه آبادانی، اینطوریه


یه آبادانیه میخواست فرار کنه خارج ولی راهشو بلد نبود. رفت لب مرز دید بعضی ها میرن تو پوست گوسفند و از مرز عبور می کنن, خوشحال شدکه راهشو پیدا کرده.
رفت نزدیک مرز و رفت تو پوست یه گوسفند همینکه رسید به مرز پلیس دستگیرش کرد و به زندان انداخت.
از پلیسه پرسید: این همه آدم رفتند تو پوست گوسفند واز مرز عبور کردند. چطور شد که شما فقط منو دیدی؟
پلیسه گفت : آخه عزیز من  کدوم گوسفندیه که عینک دودی میزنه؟


Azadeh Azmoudeh

Nazy Jaan

by Azadeh Azmoudeh on

There must be a miscommunication! John did not say anything about stereotyping, I did! I believed he did stereotype the lady by using "old" as a prefix and also, he disapproved of her comedy using "viberator sound" and other sound effect accompanying using sex toys. For John it was appalling, I believe he has the right to his opinion though, regardless of what we think.

PEACE


Nazy Kaviani

John is guilty, too!

by Nazy Kaviani on

"I think John thought of the role of all "old Ladies" as grandmothers, not someone using that object. He called the whole scenario as improper and "dirty" for someone her age."

Azadeh Jan, read what you said about your friend who is disenchanted with stereotyping!  He is doing it to "old ladies" himself!  Says who little old ladies can't be stand-up comics who can talk about any subject which pulls their crowd in and makes them laugh?! 

Does John think there should be an age ceiling on being a stand-up comic?  Say, people who are older than 60 shouldn't be allowed to get up on the stage of comedy clubs to perform?!  And if they are let on stage, they should be barred from speaking about certain topics which are not "grandmotherly" enough?! Who will be the one to decide on those topics? John? And is all of this to protect the "image" of senior citizens and to maintain their dignity?  Last I checked it was illegal to discriminate based on age among other things, and any limitation on such opportunities does constitute age discrimination, not to mention stereotyping.

A good place to start would be oneself, is what my advice to your friend would be.


ebi amirhosseini

Ali Jaan !!

by ebi amirhosseini on

Stereotypes??!!

لره واسه اولين بار يه آخوند مي بينه بهش ميگه يعني اینقدر سرت درد مي کنه؟ 

*********

اصفهانيه قله اورست رو فتح كرد.بهش ميگن انگيزه ات چي بود؟؟ ميگه خدا لعنت كنه كسي رو كه گفت اون بالا نذري ميدن

 ... 
***************

تركه با دوست دخترش ميرن پارك تركه ميگه :عزيزم اگه اين درخت كاج زبون داشت الان به ما چي ميگفت ؟ دختره ميگه اگه زبون داشت ميگفت كره خر من زردآلوام نه كاج ... 

*****

ستاد مبارزه با بد حجابي اعلام كرد: نگهداري عسل و ميرزا قاسمي در يخچال ممنوع مي باشد مگر اينكه در يخچال باز باشد!! 

******


جبرئیل میره بهشت می بینه همه بچه ها دارن در میرن ، میگه چرا در میرید ، میگن شهدای قزوین رو آوردن 

********


اصفهانیه به بچه اش میگه: اگه همه نمره هات بیست بشه می برمت پارک تا بستنی خوردن بچه های دیگرو ببینی

******

Can you add a kermooni stereotype !? Please.

best wishes

 


default

Abadani stereotyping

by Abadani (not verified) on

I am from Abadan and I want to make a stereotype joke about our compatriots. Anyone offended? Let me know

یه آبادانی میره اهواز دیدن رفیقش.

رفیقش میگه بیا بریم زیر پل اهواز شنا کنیم. آبادانیه میگه نه مو تو رودخونه ای که توش کوسه نداشته باشه شنا نیمی کونوم.


American Wife

Ali P.... love your

by American Wife on

Ali P.... love your reasoning....LOL


Ali P.

My Solution...

by Ali P. on

My rule of thumb is this:

  If you can't help, but being a member of that group and you are stuck there, making fun is not appropriate, nor funny (I.e., making fun of torks, short people, balds, rashtees, Blacks, Arabs, Hendis, arguably gays and fat people).

 If you have a choice to change your group, or it is a temporary situation, then, as a society, we feel free to make fun of you (i.e., drunks, CA residents, Republicans,lawyers, old people,etc....)  then it is fair game, and I'll laugh at jokes, poking fun of them.

Am I wrong?


Azadeh Azmoudeh

One More Thing!

by Azadeh Azmoudeh on

I do stereotype sometimes and I do believe they are helpful, to some degree of course, to catagorize people. Not every stereotyping is negative and bad. Iranian being hospitable, social, and nice people is not a bad stereotyping and it is true. White-Americans respect individulaism is not bad eaither. Nevertheless, both are the examples of stereotyping. In my line of work, stereotyping or generalization soemtimes helps to know where some people have come from. Again, I stress that not all of them are applicable to that specific culture. Meaning, not all Asian are bad drivers (as negative generalization), or not All Iranian are hospitable.  

PEACE


Azadeh Azmoudeh

:)

by Azadeh Azmoudeh on

Irandokht: The point is taken and will be utilized to make a better presentaion of my thoughts next time.

Nazy: I think John thought of the role of all "old Ladies"  as grandmothers, not someone using that object. He called the whole scenario as improper and "dirty" for someone her age.

Also about our cultural joke, I do believe they are funny and I laugh at them sometimes, but it was an opportunity for me to really think about those on whom we made our jokes, more specifically about the Gazvinis and laughingly joke about them as being pedophile, it just appalling.

PEACE


Abarmard

I would tell John

by Abarmard on

To lighten up ;)


Two issues here:

On the final note of the post: it's wrong to make jokes on the expense of other nationals, unless you are part of that language or culture. Most of our ethnic jokes came after Reza Shah, which was not a good move from his part.

Other than that, an old lady or a young man explaining a funny scenario is OK and age is irrelevant.


American Wife

Nazi

by American Wife on

You're so right!  It's much easier to take criticism or even targeted-humor when it comes from "one of us".  Human nature of course.  It's like I've said about my family... I might go after one of them but if anyone else says anything to them.... watch out!  My husband and I love to watch Carlos Mencia... now there's an equal opportunity offender...lol.  Or Robin Williams... another example of sarcastic wit.  But what's so hard to believe is the language coming from the mouth of Mrs. Doubtfire!!!!

IRANdokht... a perfect example of constructive criticism and I'm so glad to see you and Azadeh discussing and exchanging ideas. 


Nazy Kaviani

Dear Azadeh:

by Nazy Kaviani on

I’m a little confused! What are you really saying? Are you talking about stereotyping or are you talking about inappropriate use of profanities in comedy acts? I'll put aside the use of profanities because judging by your blog title and its conclusion, that is not what bothers you and your friend the most, whereas the stereotyping does. Am I right?

A stand-up comic does his or her best to get a laugh. Your friend who is a stand-up comic on the side was competing with a group of people, one of whom was an old lady. The old lady made a joke which got more laughs than anybody else’s, so she might (did?) win. Your friend objects to her making the sound of a vibrator as a part of her routine.

What was the stereotyping in her act? Whom did she stereotype? Women? Old women? Young women? Women who use vibrators? Was she funny or not? Did she get the laughs or not?

Competitions are hard in any field, as I’m sure your well-educated friend knows. Past certain entry-level amateur acts, only the best will survive. Comedy is probably one of the worst fields for being so sensitive, as there is no such evaluation as a “passable” comedy act—either you make people laugh or you don’t.

Comedy is about laughter, yes, but it really is about making fun of what hurts us. Stereotypes hurt us, so when people make fun of them we laugh. No one can have a fresh stand-up routine without drawing on what hurts, i.e., stereotypes.

And here’s my personal observation on the subject of stereotyping in comedy: stereotyping seems to be a taboo only for white Americans! All the other ethnic minorities seem to be able to get away with it. African American comics make fun of themselves AND whites AND Hispanics, and they get the laughs. I have also seen Hispanic comics who make fun of themselves and everybody else. Homosexual comics make fun of other gays and their lifestyles, but the same is considered stereotyping when heterosexual comics approach the subject.

Though I can’t fully understand this, I can relate to it. One of the funniest things I ever saw was Maz Jobrani’s stand-up comedy for an Iranian audience in San Francisco, during which he made fun of Iranians for two hours. He was very funny and we were in stitches. Did he stereotype us? Yes he did. Was I offended? No, I was laughing like a lunatic!

Having said that, I wonder how funny the same routine would have sounded to me, if it wasn’t delivered by an Iranian, but by a non-Iranian American. I'd venture to say "not very funny."


IRANdokht

Dear Azadeh

by IRANdokht on

I appreciate the positive response. My comment was only made as a constructive criticism. Let me explain this in a different way maybe you can see my point: 

When you are served a plate of food, the cook can take the time to put the food in a nice plate, arrange it nicely in the plate and garnish it for a final touch. it shows they are respecting you as the receiver of this food.

When they throw the food in a chipped bowl and drop it in front of you,even if it is the same exact quality of food, the presentation shows disrespect for the recipient.

That's how I see your blogs. It might be a very interesting and original idea that you're offering, but you're throwing it out there carelessly without spending time to make it presentable.

The time it takes is minimal, so not making the effort, can be taken as an insult to the readers.

IRANdokht


Azadeh Azmoudeh

Irandokht

by Azadeh Azmoudeh on

I thank you in a comment; however, as a reply to your comment I thank you personally too. I have a question though: How could it insult you as a reader if I am the ONE who made the mistake, I mean how my mistakes (grammatically or typo) can insult you who seems to be a reasonable commentator and/or reader?

PEACE


Azadeh Azmoudeh

Thanks

by Azadeh Azmoudeh on

You're absolutely right. I read it once to be honest, but I realized that I have to read it twice, or maybe more:) Hoever, my sincere appreciation for your comments.

PEACE


default

I agree

by Anonymous but makes the effort (not verified) on

Someone said somewhere else that it doesn't matter about the spelling or grammar. But I think that if someone is creating a blog, or an article, more care should be taken. Unfortunately, the message IS lost when you've got to weed through the errors. Just take a few minutes! Your work will be alot more appreciated!


IRANdokht

Dear Azadeh

by IRANdokht on

Unfortunately I was not able to finish reading your blog and stopped at: " I tried to asked him which was the worst for him, her part or that she was might win

I had already let go of a couple of typos and grammar mistakes before, thinking I should give it a fair shot and see what your message is. 

When I read a blog, I expect the writer to have spent at least the same amount of time writing the piece that I am spending reading it. 

All it takes is a couple of minutes to read it over again and fix the small typos, shorten the paragraphs and catch the grammar mistakes. Not only your work would be more presentable, the reader will not feel insulted either.

Thank you 

IRANdokht