Wow, I'm so glad that I got comments from real British people! What a wonderful platform italki is! > Jade Thank you for explaining how British sarcasm works! I think I might have failed to catch some sarcastic remarks in The Office. I started to realize that British people make jokes with a serious face. I'll try to cultivate taste in subtle irony/sarcasm! >Isadbel It's good to know that even a British person like you don't get The Office UK! I'll search for other options like the ones you suggested. Thanks! > Micheal It's surprising that The Office ranked number 123 in the most popular British programmes. This means that there are many more good TV series made in the UK right? Thank you for suggesting attractive options!

I really don't get The Office either. It represents only one strand of British humour. But some people did and do like it - and it has a great public relations machine. Like Isable, I think you'd do better to try something different. You might be able to find something that makes you laugh. Have I Got News For You. Mr Bean. Father Ted. The Good Life. Yes Minister. Keeping Up Appearances. In a recent YouGov poll, The Office ranked number 123 in the most popular British programmes - well behind many other comedies. (Only Fools and Horses, very old now, ranked highest at number 2). There are lists at https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/top/ https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/fawlty-towers-named-as-best-british-sitcom-of-all-time-a4112321.html https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/50-best-uk-comedy-tv-on-netflix-uk-bbc-iplayer-amazon-prime-now-tv-britbox-all4-uktv-play/ https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/been-voted-best-british-sitcoms-16100728 https://yougov.co.uk/ratings/media/popularity/all-time-tv-shows/all https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7895859/The-25-watched-TV-shows-decade-revealed.html

Hi Tomoyo, this is a really great question/statement! As a British person, I would actually say that The Office isn't particularly representative of 'typical' British humour. I also tried watching The Office UK recently, and really didn't get it either. I honestly don't think it worth pursuing. Instead, I would recommend Blackadder for something classic, or Peepshow for something more recent. Hope this is helpful ☺️

I have just recently had this discussion with a language exchange with British humour in comparison to Japanese or even American! Personally haven't seen the UK version of the Office, however I feel the awkward or cringey scenes are there TO be the funny parts. I would say the more serious and awkward a joke is, the funnier it is suppose to be. You will have heard most likely before with British humour being classed as "dark", "dry" or "sarcastic" humour as the joke is not obvious at the start and there is not a laugh track or reaction. I would say in British culture we somewhat make a joke or try not to take things super serious so we defuse serious situations or make lite of situations with humour, for example you may see a scene where for example; someone in it has been arrested or murdered and another character may say "well shall we put the kettle on?" , which would be classed as funny because in a serious situation the character thought it'd would be a good idea to have a cup of tea than to realise the situation at hand! :D I hope that makes sense hehe if not or you have any other question then drop me a message! :D

Yeah, it's tricky...