So there was this thread about Verdi apologizing etc, go read it if you haven't. It caught my attention, not because the whole eSahara thing, but because of InControl's 'troll' attempt. I've seen it before, someone says something and people get butthurt, other people just laugh it off. What I'm interested in is where these people come from. Do Americans like certain types of jokes better than Europeans? I made a short list of how many people were positive about InControl's comment and how many were negative, it also says where they're from: + Show Spoiler [list] +
Positive: - United States 11 - Canada 3 - France 2 - Bulgaria 1 - Germany 1 - Denmark 1 - Switzerland 1 - Poland 1
Negative: - United States 7 - UK 3 - Germany 4 - Macedonia 1 - Sweden 1 - Switzerland 1 - Belgium 1 - Brazil 1 - Chile 1 - France 1 - Australia 1 - Spain 1 - Netherlands 1 - Finland 1 - Luxembourg 1 - Ukraine 1
This counts up to Positive: - US (+ca) 14 - EU 7
Negative: - US (+ca) 7 - EU: 18 - other: 2
There aren't enough people to draw 'real' conclusions from this, but as far as I can see there're a lot more US people that liked his joke than there are EU people. This could also be because InControl is from the US and there are probably other reasons too. If you can think of something, please name it
Then there are a few comments that caught my attention
jesus, people CANNOT take jokes today.
In all honesty people need to chillax broskis, i mean you guys do understand this is normal incontrol (and not racist..)
He (or she, but because there're way more male on this site than females I'll choose he) starts cursing, then continues with a generalization after which he talk in a demeaning way to all the people that are negative. He says that they 'just don't get it' and that InControl is normale (implying that they are not). Using 'chillax broskis' doesn't work good with people that are already angry either I think xD.
Ain't gonna be long before pros don't even post on the forums... Do you guys have to deconstruct everything Inc says? Who cares if it's "acceptable"?
This feels like a weird thing to say, since it's not only a bit related to what was said. If someone else had made that joke he would probably have been banned and there would be 3 comments in total stating that it was a bad joke. But because it's a popular member the whole thread got derailed. It's not because everyone hates InControl, but because he said something that some people don't like. And I think that there's something in the forum rules about making your posts not offensive, but because InControl is a veteran he's just warned and not banned.
do you guys not understand that incontrol is trying to point out how inconsistent people are when it comes to raising the pitchforks and torches?
This was a view I hadn't seen before in this thread. I don't really get it either, people are quite consistent in becoming an angry mob when the majority decides that something is a tasteless joke.
Typical unfunny europeans...
And I guess this is true, seeing my results from the beginning of this blog post.
My personal statement is that it's a bad joke which shouldn't have been made. But InControl is known for stuff like this and thus disliked by me. I hear from a lot of people that he's a great guy, but if 'great guys' make jokes like these, mweh, they're not so great.
well, you are a european and you made this blog over something so silly. so, i guess europeans have a sense of humor. and dont forget that americans may just like incontrol because he is similar to them (i.e., american) whereas europeans are not.
There's surely a cultural aspect to everything when understanding context. I'm sure European jokes would show a reverse appreciation (fewer Americans would "get it" or find it as funny). That doesn't mean Americans are automatically less funny. There are different types of humor, and different humors appeal to different groups of people. I think
On March 13 2012 09:07 Type|NarutO wrote: I didn't think it was funny either, but it wasn't offensive in any way.. =.=;
offensive: 'Causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry' It wasn't offensive, no, it was just in bad taste. I noticed that the word 'offensive' only got used by people that are positive about Geoff's comment. 'Don't be offended'. The word is used way too much -.-'
On March 13 2012 09:08 dAPhREAk wrote: well, you are a european and you made this blog over something so silly. so, i guess europeans have a sense of humor. and dont forget that americans may just like incontrol because he is similar to them (i.e., american) whereas europeans are not.
edit: you already made the last point. nm.
Haha, I made this blog because the situation intrigued me. There're a lot of small things like this that make me think 'why do people act like this?'. But this is the first time I decided to make a blog about it
On March 13 2012 09:10 DarkPlasmaBall wrote: There's surely a cultural aspect to everything when understanding context. I'm sure European jokes would show a reverse appreciation (fewer Americans would "get it" or find it as funny). That doesn't mean Americans are automatically less funny. There are different types of humor, and different humors appeal to different groups of people. I think
Jup, I agree with you on this. It is pretty sad that a lot of people don't realize this and go and flame each other.
oh, by the way, i am american. i read incontrol's comment and thought it was stupid. if he had put a little more effort into it (similar to the second post in that thread), it may have been more interesting. i chose not to respond to it though because who cares?
the sole reason for this is that europeans know how hard it is to speak a foreign language and they understand what it feels like when you're insecure about speaking it. When you gather your courage and speak up and the first responds is a bash, there is a chance to never find your courage again, because you're even more embarassed.
incontrol had a .2 seconds laugh and verdi might never post again. cool.
e: obv americans tend to not get that which is why this may seem as if the europeans don't understand humor. It's the other way round, americans don't understand how this may be offensive.
DIfferent countries have different kinds of humor, it's culture. I have to say In Control was pretty funny though but it just didn't fit the situation. He made a serious apology and In Control just trolls it. And as for the differences in humor... I often find american too blunt. There's usually no fine subtlety, I guess I go along with british more? Of course this might also be personal but that's my 5 cents.
On March 13 2012 09:31 Jayjay54 wrote: the sole reason for this is that europeans know how hard it is to speak a foreign language and they understand what it feels like when you're insecure about speaking it. When you gather your courage and speak up and the first responds is a bash, there is a chance to never find your courage again, because you're even more embarassed.
incontrol had a .2 seconds laugh and verdi might never post again. cool.
e: obv americans tend to not get that which is why this may seem as if the europeans don't understand humor. It's the other way round, americans don't understand how this may be offensive.
please dont generalize. lots of americans speak more than one language.
I thought the joke was fairly funny. I'm not a fan of Incontrol. I personally would not have made a similar joke, but I don't see any justification for why the joke is in bad taste though.
On March 13 2012 09:31 Jayjay54 wrote: the sole reason for this is that europeans know how hard it is to speak a foreign language and they understand what it feels like when you're insecure about speaking it. When you gather your courage and speak up and the first responds is a bash, there is a chance to never find your courage again, because you're even more embarassed.
incontrol had a .2 seconds laugh and verdi might never post again. cool.
e: obv americans tend to not get that which is why this may seem as if the europeans don't understand humor. It's the other way round, americans don't understand how this may be offensive.
please dont generalize. lots of americans speak more than one language.
yes. the 'tend' was intended to indicate that.
the percentage of americans actively speaking it is relatively low though compared to europe.
Incontrol was being playful - people turned it into trolling it was twisted into something it wasn't. People are just haters or can't bear their idealism of a community symbol just wanting to have a joke on a forum he's obviously been a part of for 8 years with almost 30k posts.
The whole idea that he can't act like himself because people hold him to some sort of higher regard or set of moral standards and he can't be human like them is what causes this to happen continuously.
To respond to your point - I do find myself questioning whether Europeans lack a sense of humor in general or are just so puffed up with pride they can't sustain any sense of humility. Honestly I think it all comes back to condescension most look down on Americans and don't see them as equals.
So if someone (especially someone who is from the USA) jokingly puts them in their place they have the liability to then look down on them. It's really disgusting.
Where as in America people are more down to earth not saying they all are but that's just how I see it.
Why do you think so many trolls chant USA USA USA when Stephano wins or Naniwa. It gets to the Europeans and they just can't stand it.
On March 13 2012 09:38 Blade Fox wrote: No you're all missing the god damned point.
Incontrol was being playful - people turned it into trolling it was twisted into something it wasn't. People are just haters or can't bear their idealism of a community symbol just wanting to have a joke on a forum he's obviously been a part of for 8 years with almost 30k posts.
The whole idea that he can't act like himself because people hold him to some sort of higher regard or set of moral standards and he can't be human like them is what causes this to happen continuously.
To respond to your point - I do find myself questioning whether Europeans lack a sense of humor in general or are just so puffed up with pride they can't sustain any sense of humility. Honestly I think it all comes back to condescension most look down on Americans and don't see them as equals.
So if someone (especially someone who is from the USA) jokingly puts them in their place they have the liability to then look down on them. It's really disgusting.
Where as in America people are more down to earth not saying they all are but that's just how I see it.
Why do you think so many trolls chant USA USA USA when Stephano wins or Naniwa. It gets to the Europeans and they just can't stand it.
the difference here is that USA USA USA chants don't hurt anyone. Verdi gathered all his abilities to make that post and gets bashed immediately. How do you think this makes him feel?
It is a joke against a person / his ability to speak. This is straight up offensive. If someone stutters, you don't imitate him as a joke, do you? It is something similiar.
I would be surprised if verdi will make another post here. (apart from his apology for his language).
Incontrol made one joke and completely destroyed the rest of verdi's confidence in speaking english.
On March 13 2012 09:38 Blade Fox wrote: No you're all missing the god damned point.
Incontrol was being playful - people turned it into trolling it was twisted into something it wasn't. People are just haters or can't bear their idealism of a community symbol just wanting to have a joke on a forum he's obviously been a part of for 8 years with almost 30k posts.
The whole idea that he can't act like himself because people hold him to some sort of higher regard or set of moral standards and he can't be human like them is what causes this to happen continuously.
To respond to your point - I do find myself questioning whether Europeans lack a sense of humor in general or are just so puffed up with pride they can't sustain any sense of humility. Honestly I think it all comes back to condescension most look down on Americans and don't see them as equals.
So if someone (especially someone who is from the USA) jokingly puts them in their place they have the liability to then look down on them. It's really disgusting.
Where as in America people are more down to earth not saying they all are but that's just how I see it.
Why do you think so many trolls chant USA USA USA when Stephano wins or Naniwa. It gets to the Europeans and they just can't stand it.
I love the relationship between In Control and his haters, it's hilarious
It was a thinly veiled joke insult. The only reason this became a big deal was because the community has changed into some sort of drama instigating monster.
I thought it was funny and ironic because Incontrol comes off as someone who doesnt take jokes made on his own expense that well, compared to making jokes on other peoples expenses.
I'd post something like incontrol said on irc, or say it on vent - but this is a non-english speaking salaried player who came to post something relevant to recent happenings on TL and the first reply to his post is to get shit on by someone with a big rep in the community.
ie this:
On March 13 2012 09:31 Jayjay54 wrote: incontrol had a .2 seconds laugh and verdi might never post again. cool.
I dont think it really matters where people are from so much as their opinions of inc. People who like his personality wouldn't have an issue where people who dont like him would be more apt to jump the gun.
On March 13 2012 09:38 Blade Fox wrote: No you're all missing the god damned point.
Incontrol was being playful - people turned it into trolling it was twisted into something it wasn't. People are just haters or can't bear their idealism of a community symbol just wanting to have a joke on a forum he's obviously been a part of for 8 years with almost 30k posts.
The whole idea that he can't act like himself because people hold him to some sort of higher regard or set of moral standards and he can't be human like them is what causes this to happen continuously.
To respond to your point - I do find myself questioning whether Europeans lack a sense of humor in general or are just so puffed up with pride they can't sustain any sense of humility. Honestly I think it all comes back to condescension most look down on Americans and don't see them as equals.
So if someone (especially someone who is from the USA) jokingly puts them in their place they have the liability to then look down on them. It's really disgusting.
Where as in America people are more down to earth not saying they all are but that's just how I see it.
Why do you think so many trolls chant USA USA USA when Stephano wins or Naniwa. It gets to the Europeans and they just can't stand it.
Aren't you generalizing too? Besides that, some people on this forum are role models. InControl with his lots of posts and experience should know this best of all right? Then he should also know that everything he says will be exaggerated a lot. It's a pity, but he can't make these 'playful' comments and expect no-one to care.
Europeans looking down on Americans might be true, but I don't have any studies on that (neither am I willing to look them up right now). About 'jokingly putting someone in their place', it's all about how you look at it. For some it's jokingly (Americans in this case), for others it's serious business (Euro's in this case). I think that Euro's are more down to earth though, but I guess that's just the difference in cultures.
You are right on your last point though, people get annoyed when USA is chanted, which is what trolls want I suppose.
On March 13 2012 09:38 Blade Fox wrote: No you're all missing the god damned point.
Incontrol was being playful - people turned it into trolling it was twisted into something it wasn't. People are just haters or can't bear their idealism of a community symbol just wanting to have a joke on a forum he's obviously been a part of for 8 years with almost 30k posts.
The whole idea that he can't act like himself because people hold him to some sort of higher regard or set of moral standards and he can't be human like them is what causes this to happen continuously.
To respond to your point - I do find myself questioning whether Europeans lack a sense of humor in general or are just so puffed up with pride they can't sustain any sense of humility. Honestly I think it all comes back to condescension most look down on Americans and don't see them as equals.
So if someone (especially someone who is from the USA) jokingly puts them in their place they have the liability to then look down on them. It's really disgusting.
Where as in America people are more down to earth not saying they all are but that's just how I see it.
Why do you think so many trolls chant USA USA USA when Stephano wins or Naniwa. It gets to the Europeans and they just can't stand it.
Aren't you generalizing too? Besides that, some people on this forum are role models. InControl with his lots of posts and experience should know this best of all right? Then he should also know that everything he says will be exaggerated a lot. It's a pity, but he can't make these 'playful' comments and expect no-one to care.
Europeans looking down on Americans might be true, but I don't have any studies on that (neither am I willing to look them up right now). About 'jokingly putting someone in their place', it's all about how you look at it. For some it's jokingly (Americans in this case), for others it's serious business (Euro's in this case). I think that Euro's are more down to earth though, but I guess that's just the difference in cultures.
You are right on your last point though, people get annoyed when USA is chanted, which is what trolls want I suppose.
you know how many times incontrol has been banned? lol. not the best role model.
honestly, i was surprised he wasnt banned for that post. seemed very lenient to me just to warn him. but, it took them awhile for a warning (they banned someone else for commenting on his post in the interim), so my guess is that they internally discussed it and decided only to warn him.
You take 1 "joke" and try to generalize. Not a good idea. INcontrol was making fun of a foreigner's english skills. This probably goes in with empathy. (Most) European ppl dont have english as first language, and learn it later on. They can identify how hard it is to express yourself in a foreign language. Its clear that there are more complains coming from the EU than US.
When your making "jokes" where americains are the "offended ones", it's obvious that there are more complains coming from the US people.
On March 13 2012 09:38 Blade Fox wrote: No you're all missing the god damned point.
Incontrol was being playful - people turned it into trolling it was twisted into something it wasn't. People are just haters or can't bear their idealism of a community symbol just wanting to have a joke on a forum he's obviously been a part of for 8 years with almost 30k posts.
The whole idea that he can't act like himself because people hold him to some sort of higher regard or set of moral standards and he can't be human like them is what causes this to happen continuously.
To respond to your point - I do find myself questioning whether Europeans lack a sense of humor in general or are just so puffed up with pride they can't sustain any sense of humility. Honestly I think it all comes back to condescension most look down on Americans and don't see them as equals.
So if someone (especially someone who is from the USA) jokingly puts them in their place they have the liability to then look down on them. It's really disgusting.
Where as in America people are more down to earth not saying they all are but that's just how I see it.
Why do you think so many trolls chant USA USA USA when Stephano wins or Naniwa. It gets to the Europeans and they just can't stand it.
Aren't you generalizing too? Besides that, some people on this forum are role models. InControl with his lots of posts and experience should know this best of all right? Then he should also know that everything he says will be exaggerated a lot. It's a pity, but he can't make these 'playful' comments and expect no-one to care.
Europeans looking down on Americans might be true, but I don't have any studies on that (neither am I willing to look them up right now). About 'jokingly putting someone in their place', it's all about how you look at it. For some it's jokingly (Americans in this case), for others it's serious business (Euro's in this case). I think that Euro's are more down to earth though, but I guess that's just the difference in cultures.
You are right on your last point though, people get annoyed when USA is chanted, which is what trolls want I suppose.
First let me say I think the research you did on the thread is great and I was thinking the same thing reading that thread - I probably didn't make that clear in my early response as I was fuming.
Personally I have a few friends throughout Europe (mostly Swedish friends) and I never once thought about them looking down on me because I live in America. I was born in the Bahamas (a now independent country formerly a British colony) and moved to the US about 6 years ago.
To bore you with my story - I'd say about 4 months ago when we were going to start playing an online game together one of my Swedish friends was talking back and forth with a British friend of his and they were practically talking down on how stupid Americans were and how they were war mongers.
They referred to my girlfriend who is American as a few of the 'smart ones'. I kind of shrugged this off but it's really gotten to me. I've never made a mention to them that it bothers me but honestly the EU vs US crap that goes on deeply disturbs me.
I thought of them as equals and friends but they had probably judged us at some point as being US trash until they got to know us. I had actually never once given a thought about where they were from or decided to judge them on where they were born or what they believed in.
However they seemed to constantly bring it up now. They questioned my religion if I believed in god and basically tried to tell me I think on a small scale if I believe in God.
I've brushed this crap off and never let it upset me but it drives home the idea that there's some sort of arrogance in the general populous that either just hates Americans or looks down on them.
So yes I have a bias and I may have over generalized but it's a feeling I can't shrug off. My real goal was to defend Incontrols intent and the context of his post.
It exploded because people can't look past who he is and just read it as a regular poster who was joking. I imagine if he was some random guy like me his post would have been overlooked and they would have just received a warning and it wouldn't have derailed the thread. So perhaps Incontrol just posted without thinking of all the consequences and really has grown to accept that no matter what he does it'll be picked apart so he's given up on cross-analyzing his actions.
I'm American and I didn't really think it was funny considering hes supposed to be like a pro team manager talking to another member of the scene. Anyways I'm not offended, I can see why verdi would be but to me it was just a fail joke attempt. And I'm not an incontrol hater, I think most of his stuff is hilarious.
What's European humour anyway? It's not like there's some kind of common ground here. For instance Russian, French and Turkish people probably have a significant difference in taste when it comes to just about anything.
I don't think many Europeans think of themselves as such, but rather as members of their country. Sharing a continent isn't that big of a bond. It's kind of like talking about asian humour, when indians and north koreans most likely have significantly different views.
One thing I've never understood when it comes to american humour though (is there such a thing?), is when watching americas funniest home videos and you see a little toddler get hit in the testicles by a heavy object... and the audience goes wild with laughter and applauds. Would anyone care to explain what's going on there? I guess I'm just a humourless european ^^
On March 13 2012 15:24 Euronyme wrote: What's European humour anyway? It's not like there's some kind of common ground here. For instance Russian, French and Turkish people probably have a significant difference in taste when it comes to just about anything.
I don't think many Europeans think of themselves as such, but rather as members of their country. Sharing a continent isn't that big of a bond. It's kind of like talking about asian humour, when indians and north koreans most likely have significantly different views.
One thing I've never understood when it comes to american humour though (is there such a thing?), is when watching americas funniest home videos and you see a little toddler get hit in the testicles by a heavy object... and the audience goes wild with laughter and applauds. Would anyone care to explain what's going on there? I guess I'm just a humourless european ^^
shadenfreude is hilarious. it started with 3 stooges. it exploded from there. low brow humor, please don't assume all americans like funniest home videos. Most of it is stupid.
Europeans are more cultural and exposed to all different languages and Americans... not so much. I like people that live in countries not having English as their official language but attempt to learn another language and communicate with it. It's not easy learning another language and it can be embarrassing if it's not perfect and it sounds very broken. Some Americans think that everyone should know English like it's their mother language.
I am American and I didn't think it was funny. Perhaps if they knew each other and it was teasing and some sort of inside joke. Pretty much it was a guy trying to apologize and Incontrol saying his English sucks. If White-Ra were to write up a couple of paragraphs, it probably would look similar.
I'm not an incontrol lover or hater but I sometimes do think he can be hypocritical. I don't think it's funny that people would make fun of his weight. That's not my type of humor either but it doesn't mean "I have no sense of humor". When Geoff talked about people making fun of his performances and that he sometimes didn't want to get up from bed, I felt really bad for him. This type of "humor" is almost the same type of "humor" he just dished out.
On March 13 2012 15:56 illsick wrote: Europeans are more cultural and exposed to all different languages and Americans... not so much. I like people that live in countries not having English as their official language but attempt to learn another language and communicate with it. It's not easy learning another language and it can be embarrassing if it's not perfect and it sounds very broken. Some Americans think that everyone should know English like it's their mother language.
I am American and I didn't think it was funny. Perhaps if they knew each other and it was teasing and some sort of inside joke. Pretty much it was a guy trying to apologize and Incontrol saying his English sucks. If White-Ra were to write up a couple of paragraphs, it probably would look similar.
I'm not an incontrol lover or hater but I sometimes do think he can be hypocritical. I don't think it's funny that people would make fun of his weight. That's not my type of humor either but it doesn't mean "I have no sense of humor". When Geoff talked about people making fun of his performances and that he sometimes didn't want to get up from bed, I felt really bad for him. This type of "humor" is almost the same type of "humor" he just dished out.
I thought it was funny as hell ^^ I loved how the op was formulated in the same way as Geoffs impersonations of Russians. I totally read it in Geoffs voice and it was glorious.
As you say it's a bit hypocritical though, but in all honesty Geoff has serious haters going after him, while this guy just got a little jab. You can't really compare the two imo. It's the difference between teasing and bullying.
Children getting their futures ruined by laughing parents filming them getting their balls shattered though.. That's fucked up man.
My impression is that most non-native english speakers will not get the whole "trash-talk" thing, which North American tend to do. It is harder to recognize sarcasm on the internet, but if you get a feeling for it, you will not get butt-hurt to often
I loved Incontrols comment, since I thought the very same when I read that OP^^
On March 13 2012 16:13 chrisolo wrote: My impression is that most non-native english speakers will not get the whole "trash-talk" thing, which North American tend to do. It is harder to recognize sarcasm on the internet, but if you get a feeling for it, you will not get butt-hurt to often
I loved Incontrols comment, since I thought the very same when I read that OP^^
If you look at the number of closed threads because of 'america bashing', I'd say non-native english speakers are experts at trash talking Sarcasm is indeed practically impossible to detect over the internet imo, as you always have three options: either the person's being sarcastic, he's got radical views, or he's just stupid.
I thought the joke was pretty hilarious... BUT, definitely not worth it (poor guys feelings getting hurt as he was apologizing, maybe won't post again,...).
I'm non native (Euro). I've seen what bashing does to people who try to learn French, and its really counterproductive. Tons of people could speak French but don't because they've been bashed by random strangers in the streets/shops/restaurants. Bashing is ok (even super funny) when it comes from friends. Are incontrol and verdi friends?
ps: this video with Naniwa and Stephano is brilliant
One main issue that I consider is the difference in language too. In America everyone (theoretically at least) speaks English. We have a lot of jokes in Europe but due to language differences, it's very hard to translate that properly to a funny joke in English. It just takes away the meaning, when you translate it.
It was just a shit joke by Incontrol, and you can't generalize all europeans as one. People from lets say UK and Germany will have a very different sense of humour.
And the american starcraft video is funny as fuck.
Incontrol trolled about that guy (a russian) use of the English language... except most european don't talk english as their first language.... That's all there is to it.
Pretty ridiculous to argue that european have less sense of humor because they don't laugh at a joke that is supposed to harm them, and of course people that use english as their first language will laugh.
I feel like Incontrol has gotten in "trouble" so many times know for his "humor" that he should just stop. Sometimes (I might even say most of the time) I find him to be funny, but I feel like he crosses to line a bit too often. In this case add another point to the people from US who respond negatively to his post. I realize that it is just his sense of humor and many people find him funny, but note all of the use of "I feel" in this post.
On March 13 2012 09:03 Gheed wrote: My observations:
EU people tend to not understand or get offended by sarcasm more often than NA people
NA people tend to get offended by vulgar language more often than EU people
This post isn't funny, you're a dumbass! Go back to bronze league scrub.
User was warned for this post
EDIT: I should have known I'd get warned for that, putting both vulgar language and sarcasm in one post sealed my fate.
I bet the mod doesn't read Gheeds awesome blog ^^
Yeah sad day my first warning I think LOL
What are you even doing on these forums anymore? You and your childish behaviour towards others is not acceptable. Please do us and yourself the favor and stop posting on this board. Thanks.
On March 15 2012 04:11 Slayer91 wrote: Yeah this thread is ban bait but at the same time the thread is so absurd just based on the title what can you expect.
Bad OP doesn't automatically grant free reign to post equally shitty
Most europeans in this board are not english native speakers thus they know how hard is to leard a foregeing language, and how furstrating is that you get mocked by native speakers of that language after you spend years trying tolearn their language. On the other side most US/UK/CAin this board probably can't speak a foregein language
I think... I'm certain that InControL delivered his opening line in a playful friendly intention. Why would he want to mock anyone for their shortcomings in a foreign language.
With Verdi's limited vocabulary, I'm sure he could smile at his own mistakes as well. I don't think it will affect his confidence in posting here again. That is how I would react anyway, if I had jumped into using my high school spanish, the small amount of icelandic I picked up from an ex-girlfriend or my god-awful german.
Either way, I think cultural differences evolve different sorts of humour. British comedy vs. american comedy is a clear proof of this. Both kinds have their strongpoints. And both appeal to europeans if done right.
Go ahead, bash my english. It's not my first language either .