Brits Are Funniest Race – Say Brits

Joking aside, Brits have a better sense of humour than our international counterparts. Well, according to us, anyway.

As a nation famed for its collective stiff upper lip, it takes a lot to get us down, so it should come as little surprise that our sense of humour is prevailing even in downbeat Brexit times. According to a new poll revealed today, over three quarters (77%) of us think us Brits have the best sense of humour in the world.

The survey of 1,500 people, conducted by Harvester, also reveals that humour is the key ingredient when out for dinner. More people prioritise humour (65%) over romance (44%) when out on a date and a further 65% say fun and laughter is key to a great dinner with family and friends.

However, awkward dinner experiences are not uncommon, and many Brits wish they’d been able to call on the sense of humour we’re most proud of in certain situations. The top mishaps people have experienced when dining out are spilling a drink everywhere (41%), dropping food down themselves (35%), getting food stuck in teeth (18%), receiving a call from an ex-partner (6%) and accidentally setting fire to their hair (6%)!

So to help hapless Brits live through such awkward moments the restaurant chain has recruited comedian Rhys James of Mock the Week fame give laughter lessons to their team, and advise how to use comedy tactics to their best effect. The quips and tips were secretly filmed, and can be viewed here.

Rhys told Belle About Town: ‘It was fascinating to meet the Harvester staff and a wonderful, if challenging, project to work on. We’ve all had an awkward dinner experience where things haven’t gone quite right, and I think comedy can help to alleviate that awkwardness. Everyone I met was so enthusiastic and the feedback so far has been fantastic”.

Psychologist Donna Dawson have her expert opinion on why laughter really can lighten the most tense of situations. She said: “Humour is the ideal way to defuse any tricky situation. Laughter releases feel-good chemicals in the brain which make us feel happy and relaxed; this, in turn, makes us appreciate and admire the laughter-givers more, while also helping us to feel better about ourselves. A shared joke, self-deprecating quip or humorous observation can lighten the atmosphere and lessen the nerves, whether it’s a first date or a group bonding session. The British value a good sense of humour because it puts everyone at their ease, turns potential embarrassment into shared fun, and gets the good times off to a quick start.”