THE GENERIC ETHNIC JOKE

A person belonging to an ethnic group whose members are commonly

considered to have certain stereotypical mannerisms met another person

belonging to a different ethnic group with a different set of imputed

stereotypical mannerisms.

The first person acted in a manner consistent with the stereotypes

associated with his ethnic group, and proceeded to make a remark which

might be considered to establish conclusively his membership in that

group, whereupon his companion proceeded to make a remark with a double

meaning, the first meaning of which could be interpreted to indicate his

agreement with his companion, but the other meaning of which serves to

corroborate his membership in his particular ethnic group.

The first person took offense at his remark, and reacted in a

stereotypical way!