How many Germans does it take to change a lightbulb?
One, they are an efficient people and lack a strong sense of humor
this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2026
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Poor lighting is no laughing matter.
It really isn't.
What? Do lightbulbs get stuck if you tell a joke?
You must be German
Probably partly. My last name is a German name, but I think we're more Eastern European muts. I've never really gotten a clear answer.
Hey now, the Germans take humour very seriously! It's no laughing matter.
I think this forklift training video is pretty funny
I first saw this video when getting my forklift license, lol. It being an official instruction video somehow makes it better.
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Honestly I very much enjoy German humor, but I do understand why people don't always get it, because it comes in two distinct styles with (imho) vastly different qualities:
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Just plain silly (see: Otto Waalkes), can be good but it is often with such a heavy handed punchline that it just doesn't feel funny anymore. This is the only time people recognize that a German tried to be funny and it often lands flat for people with a more refined sense of humor.
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Irony and sarcasm, dark and extremely, extremely, sometimes unbearably dry. People who did not grow up with it will often not recognize that a joke has been made at all, because Germans are the kings of straight-face-delivery. This is where german humor hides its refinement and wit and since it's often undetectable, people imagine we're just not funny. But if you catch it, this shit is HILARIOUS.
Both kinds are rife with puns... I don't know why, but Germans love puns and considering the very complicated nature of the german language this also often passes by unnoticed with non-native speakers.
I work with one guy who is a master of the second style to the extent that even other Germans don’t notice he’s joking.
That's a common occurrence and since "you don't explain jokes" sometimes in a group one person says something, one other person starts laughing uncontrollably and all the others just look on confused and will never get an explanation. It's often a test of who pays attention, who you are on the same wavelength with and who has the wit to register the joke.
People getting each others jokes, while others don't, is quite often the basis for lifelong friendships.
I don't think this is a uniquely German thing.
Yeah, it's a thing with germans, not a german thing.
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Knock knock
Who's there?
WE ARE ZE ONES WHO ASK ZE QVESTIONS!
Protection from what? Ze Germans?
I’ve met many funny germans, and then 1 german guy who so perfectly fits the stereotype that I almost think its a bit in its own right.
Zwei Kamele sitzen im Keller und hacken Petroleum. Sagt das eine zum anderen: "Du, morgen ist Weihnachen!". Sagt das andere: "Ich weiß, ich bin eh mit dem Fahrrad da."
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