Monthly Archives: March 2011

Joke – University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Nationality: German, Irish, English
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: West Hills, CA
Primary Language: English

“A student at USC had not spoken to her parents in over a month and a half.  She finally decided to call her father and explain why she had not been in contact for so long.  So she calls him up and her dad answers.  She starts off right away saying ‘Hi dad! I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch lately.  Three weeks ago I fractured my skull when I had to jump out of my dorm window because the hall caught on fire.  I feel a lot better now that I only get a headache once a day.’ When her dad hears this, he gets really worried that his daughter is hurt, but she keeps talking and says ‘Anyway, college is so fun.  I  think I’ve decided I’m going to be an art major.’  This shocks the girl’s dad, since his daughter has always been good at math and science.  He asks why she has had such a radical change of heart and she tells him ‘Well, I met this great guy when I was at a bar near campus.  He’s an artist and is trying to get some of his work in a gallery.  He has so much talent, and I’ve decided I want to help him make it in the industry.’ Her dad doesn’t understand what his daughter means, so she continues to explain that she has dropped out of most of her classes, aside from a painting class, so she can work to pay for a studio for her new boyfriend.  Then the girl tells her dad that she is in love and is planning to marry her boyfriend once they find an apartment in L.A.  Her dad is speechless at this point, completely in shock.  The daughter waits for a second and then says “Dad! I’m just kidding!  I’m still taking all my classes at USC, I’m not dropping out of college to help a starving artist, and I’m not getting married!  I just have a C- in Econ.”

Dylan said that his Micro Economics teacher, Professor Mangum, told him this story during class one day.  During a review for the midterm, the professor was telling the students to try not to stress out about the exam.  In order to relieve some of the tension, the professor decided to tell this joke and said that if the students do poorly, they could use this story in order to break the news to their parents.

Dylan said he had heard the story before, but it was especially funny this time because it was changed to be about a USC student taking an economics class.  Because of the context of the joke, Dylan felt like he could relate to the joke more.  Also, Dylan said that even though the joke is highly exaggerated, it did help him feel less stressed before the midterm because there are worse things that could happen besides a bad grade.

I was also in Dylan’s econ class and heard this joke from the professor, although I had a different reaction to the joke than Dylan.  I knew that if I tried to employ the same tactics as the girl from the joke, my parents would not be relieved that I was “only” getting a C-; my mom would be mad at me for lying, and then even more mad for doing poorly in school.  Therefore, it is clear that depending on a person’s family situation, the joke will be interpreted differently.  Parents that value good grades would be less likely to feel relieved after hearing the “punch line” of the joke (that the girl only got a C-), whereas parents that stress good moral behavior would have a greater appreciation for the resolution.

Furthermore, the success of the joke relies on the contrast between the seemingly horrible situation that the girl has gotten herself into and the reality of only having one bad grade.  For someone who cares a lot about doing well in school, a poor grade may be as catastrophic as suffering from a fractured skull.  Thus, personal values also play an important role in how the joke is interpreted.  For Dylan, getting one bad grade seemed better than dropping out of college to date an artist.  In my opinion, the whole story was too exaggerated to be believable, so the only thing I could focus on was the thought of getting a C- in Econ, and therefore the joke was not that funny.

Annotation: For more information on the “Bad grade in college” joke, consult the following:

Dundes, Alan and Carl G. Pagter. Urban Folklore from the Paperwork Empire. Austin: American Folklore Society, 1975. p.p. 40-41.

Proverb – Japan

Nationality: Japanese, South Korean
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Calabasas, CA
Primary Language: English
Language: Korean

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“Deru kui wa utareru”

“The stake that sticks out gets hammered down”

“Don’t make waves”

Jon learned this proverb from his mother when he was in elementary school.  He thinks his mom was taught the saying by her parents, who are from Japan.  Jon said that the first time his mom used the proverb with him was when he was in third grade and tried to be different from everyone else in his class by dying his hair red.  His teachers reprimanded him and said that hairstyle was not acceptable.  Later on when Jon’s mom was explaining to him why he could not have red hair at school, she used the proverb  to say that standing out too much can be a bad thing.  In this context, the proverb is used to reinforce the school policy and help Jon follow the rules.  The proverb is not meant to be harsh.  Instead, it is a cautionary means of reminding someone that there can be consequences for choosing to go against the grain of society.

I heard Jon use this proverb when he was talking with a friend who was complaining about a math class.  Jon’s friend wanted to rebel against the teacher, but Jon advised him not to “make waves” because his friend was the only one who was standing up against the teacher.  For Jon, the proverb was appropriate to use because it expresses the dangers of separating oneself too much from the crowd.  Though it is important to establish a unique identity, Jon felt that sticking out too much can lead to social stigmatization and punishment.

I think that this proverb may have more relevance for Jon because of his Japanese heritage.  Japanese culture has traditionally emphasized the importance of values like respect and cooperation, as well as social harmony and a strong familial bond.  Unlike many Western civilizations, Japan does not place as much importance on the individual, and instead focuses on society as a whole.  Therefore, it seems much more likely that someone raised in a Japanese household  would be more likely to use this proverb and derive meaning from it than someone raised in Western Europe of the United States.

Examples of this proverb can be seen in almost form of literature or film, since many pieces of art and writing deal with the negative repercussions of anti-conformity.  For instance, in the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, John the “savage” is shunned by society for his resistance to adopt a “civilized” way of life.  In the end, John can no longer tolerate being a social pariah and kills himself.  Though it is an extreme example, John’s character shows how “making waves” in society can often have negative consequences that can be very difficult to overcome.

Contemporary Legend

Nationality: British, Scottish
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Cleveland, OH
Primary Language: English

“My sister told me that inside the top of the Matterhorn at Disneyland there is a basketball court.  Apparently, years ago, there used to be people that would climb the Matterhorn, people hired by Disneyland as entertainers.  When they were waiting to climb, the people could play basketball to pass the time.  I’m pretty sure that Disneyland discontinued the climbers, but at night during the fireworks, Tinkerbell flies from the top of the Matterhorn, so its possible that she uses the basketball court before the show starts.”

In December 2007, Sarah visited the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, CA.  She said that while telling her sister about her plans to visit the park, her sister told her about the secret basketball court inside the Matterhorn ride.  Her sister found out this information from a friend’s father who used to work at Disneyland, and therefore was trusted as a credible informant.  When Sarah visited Disneyland, she said that asked the tram driver if there really was a basketball court at the top of the Matterhorn, and he confirmed the story.  He said that it is smaller than a half court, but it has a hoop, backboard, and lines marking the floor.

Because so few people know that there actually is a basketball court inside the ride, many people think it is a merely a rumor that adds to the mystery of Disneyland.  In addition to the “hidden mickeys” in the park, and the underground tunnel system used by characters and cast members, the basketball court is another example of the many Disney secrets that the public is often not aware of.  Although hearing about such a strange urban legend is probably interesting in any situation, since so many people have been to Disneyland, the context of hearing the legend is enhanced in Sarah’s case since she discussed it while she was at Disneyland.  She was able to see the Matterhorn in person, and talk to someone who worked for the park that could confirm the legend.  She said it made her trip to Disneyland even more special, because she felt like she got to be part of a secret.

Most of the time, urban legends are not falsifiable and therefore cannot be proven or disproven.  Sarah had direct access to a Disney employee, though, and therefore was about to confirm the story.  On one hand, this can be viewed as a detriment to Sarah, because some of the mystery of Disneyland has been taken away.  However, knowing about a secret basketball court has not ruined Sarah’s perception of the theme park, and in fact has caused her to feel more curious about what other strange things exist inside Disneyland.

When Sarah told me about this Disney secret, I did not believe her at first.  Because I have lived in Los Angeles my whole life and have visited Disneyland countless times, it is hard to believe that I had never heard of the basketball court before.  This attitude probably added to the strength of the urban legend, though, since those types of stories are especially good at challenging a person’s beliefs.  Like Sarah, I also felt that learning about the basketball court did not detract from my appreciation of the magical world of Disney.  Instead, it made me want to further investigate other secrets in the park and learn more.  I think because I’ve grown up going to Disneyland and felt so sure that I knew every part of the park, this new information is especially intriguing.  This may hold true for others as well and could also help explain why people are so interested in hearing urban legends.

Annotation:  The following book confirms the basketball court in the Matterhorn, and also provides more information about the inner-workings of Disneyland:

Koenig, David. Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland. Irvine, CA: Bonaventure Press, 1994.

Festival – Oxnard, California

Nationality: Irish, English, Swedish
Age: 58
Occupation: Film Technician
Residence: Oxnard, CA
Primary Language: English

“The Strawberry Festival in Oxnard, CA is a way for people to celebrate the agricultural heritage of the area.  Strawberries are one the main produce products grown in Oxnard, and every year the festival draws thousands of people to celebrate the success of the fruit.  The money raised by the festival is then donated to several Southern California charities.  At the festival, there are dozens of food booths with everything from strawberry pizza to strawberry beer.  Also, there are arts and crafts for kids to play with, carnival rides, and strawberry themed decorations for homes and gardens.  In fact, I think that the Strawberry Festival here has actually become one of the most recognized and popular festivals in the nation.”

Since my dad lives in Oxnard, the Strawberry Festival is an important celebration because it involves a lot of his community.  Many neighbors have booths, and all of the families in our community go to the festival to support those working.  The festival is held in May, when the strawberries are ripe and the weather is usually very sunny.  By holding the festival during this time period, it is able to attract thousands of visitors over the course of the weekend.  My dad said that during the Strawberry Festival, Oxnard is especially crowded but it is fun because there is a more lively mood in town.  The people of the community come together more than ever to make sure the festival is a success, and to enjoy the delicious strawberry treats available.

I think that part of the reason my dad enjoys the festival so much is because he feels proud that the city he lives in is able to put on such a great celebration.  The strawberries in Oxnard are some of the best around, and the variety of uses for strawberries at the festival is amazing.  As a result, the Strawberry Festival is widely-known, not only in California but nation-wide.  It makes sense that hosting a festival that is so renowned would instill a sense of pride and excitement in residents of Oxnard.  Although my dad does not host a booth, he goes to the Strawberry festival every year, and always encourages the rest of my family to come.  He likes going with the family because it is a fun activity to share with each other, and because so many people bring their families with them to the festival, too.  In our family, it has become a tradition that is a pre-cursor to the Fourth of July, since it is the first family gathering of the summer.

I think that the Strawberry Festival is especially interesting because it unites people of various ethnic and economic backgrounds together to celebrate the deliciousness of strawberries.  The local people that come to the festival range from farmers that work in the strawberry fields to families that live in oceanfront communities by the beach.  The mix of culture at the festival is a special occurrence, and I think it helps bridge the gap between the differing groups in the Oxnard/Ventura area by creating a common festival for everyone to celebrate.

Annotation: For more information about the Oxnard Strawberry Festival, you can contact:

Bonnie Weigel – Festival Manager.  California Strawberry Festival

1661 Pacific Avenue #15

Oxnard, CA 93033

(805) 385-4739

Fax (805) 385-4729

Toll Free Information: 1-888-288-9242

csf@strawberry-fest.org

Contemporary Legend

Nationality: Swedish, English, Russian, Austrian
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Northridge, CA
Primary Language: English

My mother sent me the following email: “A few days ago, a person was recharging his cell phone at home.  Just at that time a call came in and he answered it with the instrument still connected to the outlet.  After a few seconds electricity flowed into the cell phone unrestrained and the young man was thrown to the ground with a heavy thud.  His parents rushed to the room only to find him unconscious, with a weak heartbeat and burnt fingers.  He was rushed to the nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.  Cell phones are a very useful modern invention. However, we must be aware that it can also be an instrument of death.  Never use the cell phone while it is hooked to the electrical outlet!”

My mother constantly sends me emails warning me of the dangers of cell phones.  She receives these emails from her coworkers and forwards them to me so that I will be more cautious when using my cell phone.  The emails usually are written in bold print and contain graphic images of fires or explosions caused by cell phones.  In this specific email, the text was followed by a picture of a man covered in bloody bandages, laying in a hospital bed unconscious.  The intention is that the reader will be shocked by the images and more likely to heed the warning contained in the body of the email.

Although the email says that using a cell phone that is plugged into an electrical outlet can be deadly, this is a statement that has yet to be proven.  I have used my phone while it has been plugged in and nothing happened.  While I agree that it is possible for a cell phone fire to occur, I think it is a very rare occurrence that probably happens as a result of a defect in the phone.  It seems like these types of stories circulate the internet because they easily incite fear and are often anonymous, so it is hard to discredit the source of the email.  Though people may say they do not believe in seemingly exaggerated urban legends, the inability to completely expose such emails as fiction often subconsciously influences how people view things.  For instance, even though I do not think using my cell phone while it is charging is dangerous, I still unplug my phone before I use it.  The shadow of doubt in my mind and the idea of “what if…” always forces me to unplug it just incase something bad happens that could be avoided.

Furthermore, as more information about cell phones is readily available to the general public, it seems likely that such urban legends will decrease in number and popularity.  These legends are so successful because they are not falsifiable.  Once people learn more about how cell phones work, they will be less likely to fear the unknown world of modern technology.  In my own life, I have stopped receiving so many cautionary emails from my mother about the dangers of cell phone usage since she has started to use her cell phone more and become more familiar with it.  Now whenever I receive these emails, I find them humorous as opposed to scary or insightful, which is the opposite reaction than is intended.