What was reportedly (this opinion has been disputed) a catalyst for Polish emigrants’ bad reputation in America were prejudices that followed them over from the Old Continent. From the 19th century till 1945, the Prussian, German and Nazi German states had very aggressive anti-Polish policies that went along with their plans to annex Polish territory. Their propaganda would deliberately create the image of a dumb Pole whose only ability is to work in the field. It started during Otto von Bismarck’s Kulturkampf policy and revived when Germany turned into Nazi Germany.
TV / Hollywood
Polish jokes made it into mass culture. In Tennessee Williams’ play from 1947, A Streetcar Named Desire (alongside with its very popular film adaptation by Elia Kazan starring Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh), Stanley Kowalski is the main protagonist. He is a descendant of Polish emigrants and he is a rude, brutal and coarse blue-collar worker. The popularity of the play and movie sealed the image of the Polish emigrants coming to America because of WWII. Since then, up to the times of Solidarność (1989), Polish jokes have been a part of many stand-up comedies, talk shows (such as the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, and later, Jay Leno), movies and casual bar banter.
Still from 'A Streetcar Called Desire' directed by Elia Kazan starring Marlon Brando (on the right) as Stanley Kowalski, photo: New Horizons Association Why so serious?
Yet, despite all this serious background, Polish jokes are nothing more than typical jokes that target any ethnic or social group distinct from the majority. They don’t differ a tiny bit from all the other stereotype-based jokes, such as:
Mexican jokes,
Q: What’s the difference between a Mexican and a book?
A: A book has papers.
Jewish jokes,
Q: Why are Jewish synagogues round?
A: So they can’t hide in the corner when the collection box comes round.
Irish jokes,
Q: What’s the difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish funeral?
A: There's one less drunk.
Italian jokes,
Q: Why did Pope Benedict have reservations about accepting his papacy?
A: It meant moving to an Italian neighbourhood.
This list could go on and on, so why are we even talking about it? Probably because Poles have a tendency to overreact upon hearing Polish jokes and regard it as a sign of the world’s antipathy for Poland and Poles. There have even been some official reactions from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs complaining about particular Polish jokes in TV shows – which sounds like some of the most uptight behaviour in history.
A Still from 'Wszyscy jesteśmy Chrystusami' directed by Marek Koterski - the most bitter Polish black comedy on alcoholism, photo: promotional materials / Vision Film Distribution However, this is still far from saying that Poles are deprived of any sense of humour. On the contrary, when there is nobody other than Poles around they tell the best Polish jokes on earth. Full of self-criticism, mocking Poland's troubled history as well as national symbols and heroes. These made-in-Poland Polish jokes go way deeper into real Polish vices, inferiority complexes and current geopolitical situation. They have a huge dose of cynicism typical for this part of Europe and often can't be understood without knowledge of a specific Polish feature, a historic moment or the latest political event. These jokes however rarely reach foreigner's ears, and even if they do, they are usually rather untranslatable.
Still from 'Rejs' directed by Marek Piwowski, a bitter satire of communist Poland and its absurdity. Photo: The National Film Archive / www.fototeka.fn.org.pl However, this joke may give you at least a taste of Polish self-humour:
A Pole, an American and a German were sent to hell. The Devil said that they would be locked in empty, sealed prison cells for 7 years and will be given nothing but two solid bronze balls. The one who astonished him the most by coming up with something miraculous to do with these balls was to be released. The other two would face eternal torment.
After seven years the Devil visited his prisoners again and what did he see:
The American made the balls hover in the air and glow. The Devil was damn impressed and was about to release him but decided to visit the other two first.
The German not only made the balls hover and glow but also move around and play Bach's Das Wohltemperierte Klavier. Again, the devil was so shocked that he almost let the German out… but than remembered the Pole who hadn't had a chance to present his oeuvre.
What the Pole did with his steel balls astonished the devil the most: the first one he'd lost, the other had broken.
Why are Poles reluctant to tell and listen to Polish jokes in international company? Because it is a part of the Polish manner to complain and criticise your country among your compatriots but to only praise it when foreigners are in earshot. No matter what a Pole thinks about their country, he or she usually presents themselves to a stranger as someone proud of their nationality, country and heritage.
