Joking in Japan

A Rotary visitor to Japan was giving a presentation. He opened up his speech by telling a joke that took him about two minutes to tell.

In under ten seconds and with very few words, the interpreter spoke to the audience and everyone erupted with laughter.

After the presentation, the visitor asked the interpreter how he translated such a long joke so quickly.

“The Japanese have a different sense of humor. They would not have understood the joke, so I told them, ‘Our guest has just told a joke. Everyone please laugh.'”