“A thing is funny when...it upsets the established order. Every joke is a tiny revolution.”—British essayist George Orwell
Societies that face censorship and can’t air their “political laundry” in public often turn to humor and jokes as a way of letting some air out of their pressured souls.
Jokes have a way of saying something indirectly and having a hidden message that communicates strongly and directly about the ails of society. “Biting” is the word.
I’ve traveled a lot and have collected some political anecdotes, stories, and jokes along the way. So I thought I’d share some - just change the particulars for another culture/politics/situation and these will always work.
Post-Communist Russia
A man is handing out leaflets on Red Square, and the FSB arrest him immediately. But when they get him to the station, they find that the leaflets are all blank.
They ask him why he's handing out blank pieces of paper.
He says "Well, everyone knows what the problem is, so why bother writing it down?"
Czech Republic
A man is working in his field, digging potatoes by hand. He looks up and there is a convoy of expensive vehicles on the road beside the field.
It was the President. He wanted a photo-op and he walked into the field and greeted the farmer. People snapped photos.
The President thanks the man and says in return he’ll grant him one wish, any wish at all.
The man is overjoyed and rubs his chin and thinks and thinks and thinks.
The President screams, “Hurry up! I’m a busy man. I have a lot to see and do!”
The man stammers, “Well, my neighbor has a cow …”
“Great! That’s easy! I can get you a cow.”
The man throws up his hands and yells, “No! No! No! I don’t want a cow. Just kill my neighbor’s cow.”
India
A man was sitting in his car during a traffic jam when a cop knocked on his window. He rolled down the window and asked the officer: “Why is there such a traffic jam?”
Officer: “A group of terrorists has kidnapped a few politicians and are blocking the road. They have threatened to burn the politicians alive in 1000 liters of gasoline if they don’t get a 10 million rupee ransom within the hour. I’m going from car to car collecting donations and would like to know if you’d please help.
Man: ‘Ok. How much are other people giving?”
Officer: “On average, about 5 liters.”
Poland - Jewish Yiddish Jokes
Two orthodox Jews pass a political party office displaying a sign promising $1,000 to all new volunteers who join the cause. After much debate, one of the men decides to go for the money and enters the church. An hour passes, then another and another as the friend waits outside. Finally, the man comes out of the office and his friend eagerly asks, “So, did you get the money?” The first man glares back and says, “Is that all you people ever think about?”
Romania - Ceaușescu Jokes
During a “friendly” 12-state visit in Africa, Ceaușescu was invited to a crocodile hunt13. After shooting some crocodiles, Ceaușescu threw them back into the water. Confused, the hunter officer asked:
“Why did you throw them back after shooting them, Comrade?”
“Leana asked me to bring her crocodile shoes. I looked at each one of them, but none had shoes”
USA - Trump
President Trump during a call with Vladimir Putin was invited to visit the Kremlin the following month. After hanging up, President Trump picked up the phone again and rang his personal secretary. “Hi, Do you know how long it takes to fly to Moscow?” The secretary replies, “Just a minute, Mr. President.” President Trump hangs up.
North Korea
Chang Man Yong works on a collective farm in North Korea. He goes fishing, gets lucky, and brings a fish home. Happy about his catch, he tells his wife: “Look what I’ve got. Shall we eat fried fish today?”
The wife says: “We’ve got no cooking oil!”
“Shall we stew it, then?”
“We’ve got no pot!”
“Shall we grill it?”
“We’ve got no firewood!”
Chang Man Yong gets angry, goes back to the river, and throws the fish back into the water. The fish, happy to have had such a narrow escape, sticks its head out of the water and cheerfully yells: “Long live General Kim Jong Il!"
Armenia
Q: What's the difference between a capitalist fairy tale and a Marxist fairy tale?
A: A capitalist fairy tale begins, "Once upon a time, there was...."
A Marxist fairy tale begins, "Some day, there will be...."
Stalinist Russia
Soviet police announces that no one is allowed outside his house after 7:00 PM. At 6:30 PM, a policeman notices someone outside and shoots him. His fellow policeman asks "Why did you shoot him? He had 30 more minutes until 7:00!" The policeman replied, "I know where he lives, he would have never made it in time."
Stalin attends the premiere of a Soviet comedy movie. He laughs and grins throughout the film, but after it ends he says, "Well, I liked the comedy. But that clown had a mustache just like mine. Shoot him." Everyone is speechless, until someone sheepishly suggests, "Comrade Stalin, maybe the actor shaves off his mustache?" Stalin replies, "Good idea! First shave, then shoot!"