Did you start as a believer?

[kayle]

Strange. What is funny about poverty and hunger?

Well, I spent only 15 years in that regime, but I can assure you that we found jokes like that funny :) we didn't lose the spirit :)
It was not that bad. There was no actual hunger and poverty. it was just different levels of wealth and well-being compared to the capitalists :D

Another thing is the period before and after WWII (Stalin's era; inter alia, Latvia did not suffer the terror in the 30s as we were independent then yet). Famine was really a problem then, in the Ukraine in particular (it was, as it turns out, "initiated" by the regime to get rid off Ukrainian farmers who were not very enthusiastic about collective farms ); again, it was different in different locations/republics.

P.S. real hunger and poverty is not funny indeed...

[bindeweede]

Well, I spent only 15 years in that regime, but I can assure you that we found jokes like that funny :) we didn't lose the spirit :)
It was not that bad. There was no actual hunger and poverty. it was just different levels of wealth and well-being compared to the capitalists :D

Another thing is the period before and after WWII (Stalin's era; inter alia, Latvia did not suffer the terror in the 30s as we were independent then yet). Famine was really a problem then, in the Ukraine in particular (it was, as it turns out, "initiated" by the regime to get rid off Ukrainian farmers who were not very enthusiastic about collective farms ); again, it was different in different locations/republics.

P.S. real hunger and poverty is not funny indeed...

Well, apologies to Tony. I hope he is not offended.

kayle, your posts are fascinating - an introduction to the world most UK people have no experience of. Thank you.

[Tony Williams]

Strange. What is funny about poverty and hunger?

In dire circumstances like those which were faced by most residents of the USSR, a sense of humour could be a survival aid. I liked the fact that the Russians could make jokes at their own expense; in fact, from what I've observed, the Russian and British senses of humour are surprisingly similar (much more so than is the case between the UK and US).

I recall that when the first London marathon was organised one popular film was a reds-under-the-bed frightener titled "The Russians are Coming!" So the Russian embassy entered a team in the marathon all wearing tee-shirts emblazoned with that title. I had to laugh.

[kayle]

Well, apologies to Tony. I hope he is not offended.

kayle, your posts are fascinating - an introduction to the world most UK people have no experience of. Thank you.

It's OK. Without context such jokes really are not funny :)

Glad you enjoy them (my posts).

[kayle]

In dire circumstances like those which were faced by most residents of the USSR, a sense of humour could be a survival aid. I liked the fact that the Russians could make jokes at their own expense; in fact, from what I've observed, the Russian and British senses of humour are surprisingly similar (much more so than is the case between the UK and US).

I recall that when the first London marathon was organised one popular film was a reds-under-the-bed frightener titled "The Russians are Coming!" So the Russian embassy entered a team in the marathon all wearing tee-shirts emblazoned with that title. I had to laugh.

Now...
Yes, it was a survival aid. Well spotted :D

But... the Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, Moldavians, Belorussians, Georgians, Armenians, Uzbeks, Kazakhs etc etc are now banging at your door to strongly object to you 'migrating' from 'the residents of the USSR' to 'the Russians' in your comment:DD

---
about sense of humour. yes , there is too much of burping and farting in the US jokes :D

[Tony Williams]

Now...
But... the Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, Moldavians, Belorussians, Georgians, Armenians, Uzbeks, Kazakhs etc etc are now banging at your door to strongly object to you 'migrating' from 'the residents of the USSR' to 'the Russians' in your comment:DD

No offence, Kayle, but although I have very briefly visited Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, I really don't know the people or their sense of humour. I do know some Russians, though, so my choice of wording was deliberate!

[chaggle]

Strange. What is funny about poverty and hunger?

Well the psychology of humour is a fascinating subject which could merit a thread of its own.

[kayle]

No offence, Kayle, but although I have very briefly visited Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, I really don't know the people or their sense of humour. I do know some Russians, though, so my choice of wording was deliberate!

I did not think you did not know the difference :). I guess I was just using the possibility to once again show the difference (not to you; simply just like that).

Well, there is not a great sense of humour in Latvians. It's more like German humour (which I personally don't rate very highly :D)
As for Russian humour... I think it still was Soviet humour: a mix of Jewish, Ukrainian, Armenian and Georgian humour, and the Russian component in this mix was not major.
Russian jokes of these days, when they are just a separate country, are quite different.
That is, there were/are universal jokes for all the Soviet nations, and also local jokes.

[Pebble]

I only know a few Georgians, sense of humour has yet to cross my mind.

[JentheUnbeliever]

Well this goes to show that peer pressure enough is not sufficient to sustain belief in the ridiculous - if you have a strong rational streak.

I'm happy that I found my strong rational streak underneath all that pressure! To a certain degree I still get it from time to time from my family.

I suspect that private atheism would be accommodated, but failure to 'respect' their traditions would be the real source of annoyance. Unfortunately this usually means you partaking in their shows of devotion, but with no reciprocation.
My solution has been to take a relatively firm line - true respect is equal in both directions - so it would be unreasonable to expect me to behave hypocritically just for show. Unfortunately this approach does lead to a certain loosening of family ties.

Both points are accurate in my case. What I've found, with some of my family in particular, that even stating a different view shows disrespect. Since they are in another country I do my best not to approach the topic of atheism or religion and frequently just say "ok" whenever told that their prayers are with me. Some are aware I'm atheist so luckily the topic is never brought up.

[kayle]

I only know a few Georgians, sense of humour has yet to cross my mind.

maybe I slipped there. It is rather jokes on Georgians (possibly made by Armenians)

[Pebble]

I'm happy that I found my strong rational streak underneath all that pressure! To a certain degree I still get it from time to time from my family.

Keep your chin up, it is worthwhile

.....whenever told that their prayers are with me.

I do hate that one. Often stated ernestly despite knowing that you don't share their beliefs, for which you deserve some pity but mainly need to be enlightened. A bit like the Victorian approach to the undeserving poor.