I must admit I am nervous about getting Alzheimer's. Once it hits, I might tell my best joke and never know it.
Joan RiversRead
"I've learned what's funny verbally ain't so funny on e-mail: They don't hear your intonations. Melissa broke up with somebody over that. She tried to tell him: "That was a joke!" But he just didn't get it. Mick Jagger said, "F- 'em if they don't get the joke." And I love him. That comes with age: Knowing it's their problem, not mine."
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the difficulty of conveying humor through text-based communication and the importance of understanding the perspectives of others.
Joan Rivers reflects on the challenges of expressing humor in written form, particularly in emails where tone and intonation can be easily misinterpreted. She shares a personal anecdote about a friend who faced a misunderstanding due to this lack of verbal cues, emphasizing that not everyone may appreciate a joke. The quote also signals a level of maturity that comes with understanding that miscommunications are often a reflection of the other personβs perspective, not a personal failing.
Themes
HumorCommunicationMisunderstandingIntotationAging
In practice
Example use cases
In a comedy routine discussing the pitfalls of online communication.
More from Joan Rivers
All quotes βI enjoy life when things are happening. I don't care if it's good things or bad things. That means you're alive.
Joan RiversRead
Life goes by fast. Enjoy it. Calm down. It's all funny.
Joan RiversRead
Life is so tough. I don't know how old you are, but I've seen so much in a wink. One phone call and your life is changed forever. We all know that. You better laugh at everything.
Joan RiversRead
I walk on a stage, and I know if it's been a good show or not. You know when it's been a good interview. No one has to tell you. You know it. You feel it. You can feel the air. You can feel everything about it when it's a good show. And you know when you've messed up.
Joan RiversRead
I would not want to live if I could not perform. It's in my will. I am not to be revived unless I can do an hour of stand-up.
Joan RiversRead
Similar quotes
Some men there are love not a gaping pig, some that are mad if they behold a cat, and others when the bagpipe sings I the nose cannot contain their urine.
William ShakespeareRead
Nine books have been written about me, and there's not a word of truth in any of them.
Laurence OlivierRead
An escalator can never break: it can only become stairs. You should never see an Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order sign, just Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience.
Mitch HedbergRead
If I'm doing something on stage, and it evokes an emotion, then I might show that emotion, but I also don't believe in being a preacher. If you have a point, that's a bonus. But the funny has to come first; otherwise, you shouldn't call yourself a comedian.
Trevor NoahRead
The Navy is a master plan designed by geniuses for execution by idiots. If you're not an idiot, but find yourself in the Navy, you can only operate well by pretending to be one.
Herman WoukRead
Smile, it increases you face value.
Dolly PartonRead