Jokes and their context within class structure

Paul -V-'s picture
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I got a call from a friend last night, and she told me a good joke. We laughed a bit, and then had an interesting conversation about how social context makes, or breaks, humor.

Here's the joke:

A wealthy man parked his brand new Porche in front of his yacht club, ready to show it off to his friends.

Just as he got out of the car, an truck passed too close and ripped the door off

When the police arrive the man does nothing except scream hysterically about how he just bought his car just a day earlier, and now it was totally ruined.

When he finally calmed down from his ranting, the cop said: "I can't believe how materialistic you are! Don't you notice that your left arm is missing from the elbow down? It must have been torn off when the truck hit you."

"Oh my God!" screamed the man. "Where's my Rolex?"

Now ask yourself: Why is this joke funny?

While you consider this question, here's another version:

A poor man parked the used 1983 Honda he just bought in front of his job at the Wal-Mart.

Just as he got out of the car, an SUV, passed too close and ripped the door off.

When the police arrive the man does nothing except scream hysterically about how he just bought his car just a day earlier, and now it was totally ruined.

When he finally calmed down from his ranting, the cop said: "I can't believe how materialistic you are! Don't you notice that your left arm is missing from the elbow down? It must have been torn off when the SUV hit you."

"Oh my God!" screamed the man. "Where's my Caseo?"

Is this second joke funny?

Personally, I don't think so because it's the story of a weak man getting kicked down, and being misunderstood by the police. Whereas the first one is about a vain man getting his comeuppance.

I'm curious what you think.

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