The Joke

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From the Wikipedia synopsis:

"Ludvik was a dashing, witty, and popular student who supported the Party. Like most of his friends, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the still-fresh Communist regime in post-World War II Czechoslovakia.

In a playful mood, he writes a postcard to a girl in his class during their summer break. Since Ludvik believes she is too serious, he writes on the postcard,

"Optimism is the opium of mankind! A healthy spirit stinks of stupidity! Long live Trotsky!"

His colleagues and fellow young-party leaders did not see the humour in the sentiment expressed in the postcard. Ludvik finds himself expelled from the party and college and drafted to a part of the Czech military where alleged subversives form work brigades and spend the next few years working in mines."

"The Joke" is not the most popular of Kundera's novels (that would be "The Unbearable Lightness of Being") but we've all been there.

1. Smart young man meets earnest, attractive young woman. 
2. Woman expresses some achingly right-on proposition. 
3. Young man fancies her a bit, decides to tease her. 
4. Makes sardonic over-the-top response. 
5. Waits to see how she reacts.

Will she recognise flirtatious humour? Or will she double-down on righteous outrage?

Jokes are dangerous things, particularly when third parties like your employer or the state get involved. Just ask the editor of Waitrose Food magazine, William Sitwell.

Ex-editor.

Freelance journalist (and Vegan) Selene Nelson

Just ask yourself: why would any young man wish to tease Ms Nelson?