· September, 2008

Stories about Humor from September, 2008

Bermuda, U.S.A.: Presidential Debates

  29 September 2008

A Bermudian's View weighs in on the first US presidential debate and says he is looking forward to the upcoming vice-presidential debates: “Given what I’ve seen of Palin…I’d say all Biden has to do is show up. I keep waiting for Ashton Kutcher…to pop out and tell the American people...

Jamaica: Cell Phone Etiquette

  29 September 2008

Jamaican blogger Stunner is amazed that “people can't get it through their heads that it is a common courtesy to silence their phones when at a function.”

Pakistan: Zardari flirts and the Blogosphere reacts

  29 September 2008

The president of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari met with the US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin in New York recently and used flirtatious words during the discussion. It seemed more like a courtship than a political meeting. Zardari made the following comments: “You are even more gorgeous in life....

Japan: Uni likes the bathtub

  27 September 2008

At Uni no Himitsu Kichi (うにの秘密基地), Japanese blogger sauta19 posts photos of her cat [ja] Uni following her into the bathroom and on top of the bathtub, a place that only a few days ago Uni had hated. She also announces to readers that she will be showing pictures of...

Ripples of the China Milk Scandal in Africa

  26 September 2008

In China, an estimated 13,000 children have fallen ill since the tainted milk scandal broke. Chinese influence has grown in Africa in recent years, as have imports of all kinds products, from running shoes to instant noodles. Bloggers as far afield as Congo and Senegal, concerned about the safety of Chinese products in their countries, are closely following the story.

Japan: Name of new PM poses challenge for Canadians

  25 September 2008

At Canada de Nihongo (カナダde日本語), a Japanese blogger living in Canada describes how she can't stop laughing [ja] when people mention the name of Japan's new Prime Minister: although they try to say “Taro Aso”, what comes out inevitably sounds like “Taro Asshole”.

Madagascar: All along the street

  24 September 2008

Dago Tiako describes street activities in Madagascar: “Suddenly, you notice lots of people making a circle. You think there must be an accident. You come nearer to se what’s going on. In the middle of the circle, there is a man almost nude (he is wearing only a little pair...

Tanzania: Pedestrians’ tales

  24 September 2008

Mara writes about pedestrians’ experiences in Tanzania: “Pedestrians have nothing close to the right of way around here. The bigger you are, the more authority you have. The faster you go, the more people are expected to dive out of the way when you approach. Motorcycles swerve to avoid 4×4s...

Ukraine, Russia: Kvas

  23 September 2008

Darkness at Noon posts an ode to kvas: “To be sure, kvas is the national drink of the East Slavic peoples. Vodka doesn't count because it is consumed largely for its well-documented medicinal benefits. Or at least this is what a local guide in Odessa recently told me. And while...

Bahrain: Hair-raising conversation

  17 September 2008

Sous, a Swede living in Bahrain, repeats a conversation she had with an Indian woman, who after finding out that Sous was fasting told her she should cover her hair: “Swede: Well, I’m thinking to shave it all off and then that problem is solved! Indian:No!…Aren’t you married? Swede: No....

Guyana: El Dorado

  15 September 2008

Guyana-Gyal thinks up some alternatives to her country signing the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement.

Senegal: President Wade, man of the people

  15 September 2008

Blog politique au Senegal [Fr] gives a tongue-in-cheek account of President Wade's visit to areas of Dakar affected by recent floods, made all the more hilarious by some clever photoshopping: “In a grand spirit of soldarity with those stricken [by the floods], [Wade] didn't hesitate to “get his shirt wet”…he...