Why do different races and ethnicities laugh differently?

[tickle_maniac]

It is commonly accepted that different races and ethnicities laugh differently. But if tickling is a common factor that unites us all, why do people laugh differently? What is it about being from a different race or ethnicity cause you to laugh differently? I've never understood this....

 

[SoleMates]

It is commonly accepted

really? by who?

 

[Studious_Hustler]

It's culture that makes the difference, not race or ethnicity. But since those things all often overlap, it can be easy to mistake one for the other.

For example, my personal favorite type of laughter is from Brazilian women, whom I consider the "most ticklish" in the world (based on my preferences for how I like to see ticklishness expressed). Now, Brazil is a famously diverse country when it comes to race and ethnicity. But because the actual relevant factor for laughter is culture, I can expect all women who share a common Brazilian culture to reliably laugh in the way that I like so much -- regardless of their race or ethnicity.

 

[tickle_maniac]

really? by who?

There have been various threads over many years on here where this has been discussed in the affirmative.

 

[WickedTouch]

I think there's more similarity than difference, however, some of the differences are explainable based on cultural and genetic micro variations.

Culturaly: Language and vocal expression change how one thinks and behaves, as well as influences their vocal development as they age. The tones and vocalizations they produce during laughter are highly influenced by these things. The trigger for laughter is built into the nervous system and structure of the brain, but how it is expressed is highly influenced by other behavior and modeling from those they are exposed to in their immediate social groups. Culture, language, and geography have kept people separated enough that they are not as influenced by those farther outside of their circle of familiarity, thereby leading to natural pockets of difference.

Genetically: There are all kinds of micro differences between races due to adaptations and maladaptations over time. Think skin, hair, and eye color, or physical size, pain tolerance, etc. Some of those genetic variations (and also developmental variations due to geographical resource differences) likely influence the sound of one's voice and speech patterns. For example lung capacity, size of the upper torso, vocal cord development, tongue size and shape, and nasopharyngeal shape and space may all influence the sound of one's laugh.

Again, most of these differences are subtle, but interesting nonetheless. I think it gives interesting character to the individual. You can also hear some patterns of difference in certain general geographic regions where the race is the same, but the subcultures and similar things are different. I can hear this in the US and the UK. I'm sure it's true elsewhere, but my ears are mostly tuned to a handful of traditionally English speaking regions, so I can't comment on many others.

 

[TMF Jeff]

I would assume it has a lot more to do with culture than ethnicity.

 

[Threestarsandtrees]

Never thought about it before, being true that I´ve noticed some differences, for example, the clearest ones in my opinion are how black and asian people laugh when tickled. I don´t have a particular preference though, but, obviously, in certain individuals (female for my preference) I find the way they laugh really sexy and arousing... and yep, maybe black and asian females are my favourites

 

[Sunriseticklee]

Not people saying that subjective opinions expressed by a largely homogeneous demographic on TMF is evidence to prove that race is the factor in the differences in laughter!!!! SMDH.... But it must be true cause TMF said so. 🤷🏾‍♀️😐

Perhaps culture (including how time and technology changes the culture around us) is the best reason why there are so many differences. Perhaps age and maybe even mood play a part.

I definitely have a favorite spot n my heart for the type of robust, loud, free, warm laughter that echoes and fills a room whether there is tickling involved or not. And I have noticed the similarities in personality more so than a particular race of people are common links. This laugh, my favorite, can be found absolutely everywhere and isn't race or gender specific.

Beyond that.... I am damn near addicted to the sound of laughter, period. Whether it is a soft giggle or it is wild and contagious, I feel an overwhelming need to make people laugh, and I am attracted to people who make others laugh as well. This certainly gets me in trouble because laughter is a weakness of mine.

How sad life would be if laughter was categorized and contained by race.

 

[TickleYeti]

beautifully stated, I was afraid to even come into this thread because well... #TMFThings but I'm glad some amazing peeps have popped in to correct a pretty shortsighted assumption on the part of OP. Here's to the joys of laughter that we all share in common!!

 

[BlueLine7045]

Back to the race and tickling/laughter discussion again i see...

I feel like several times a year on here someone tries to claim, and also claim that it's backed by science, that certain races are more ticklish or laugh more than other races.

I find it more interesting that people are so stuck on this idea of how much race affects certain attributes or characteristics such as laugh/ticklishness.

 

[tickle_maniac]

Back to the race and tickling/laughter discussion again i see...

I feel like several times a year on here someone tries to claim, and also claim that it's backed by science, that certain races are more ticklish or laugh more than other races.

I find it more interesting that people are so stuck on this idea of how much race affects certain attributes or characteristics such as laugh/ticklishness.

I wasn't talking about the level of ticklishness or the intensity of laughter. I was merely talking about the manner or tone of laughter

 

[Jezebel Lee]

It’s not about race or skin colour or whatever; it’s about accents. Like, different nationalities will have different accents and even within the same country, there’s still tons of differing regional accents.

I’ve learned somewhere that babies of different nationalities all cry differently, and the same goes for dogs barking or goats bleating. Logically, it would make sense if someone’s accent affects their laugh. That’s not entirely dictated by their ethnicity.

 

[tickle_maniac]

It’s not about race or skin colour or whatever; it’s about accents. Like, different nationalities will have different accents and even within the same country, there’s still tons of differing regional accents.

I’ve learned somewhere that babies of different nationalities all cry differently, and the same goes for dogs barking or goats bleating. Logically, it would make sense if someone’s accent affects their laugh. That’s not entirely dictated by their ethnicity.

Dogs bark differently and goats bleat differently in different countries? So cows moo differently? Wow, I had no idea!

 

[tickle_maniac]

Back to the race and tickling/laughter discussion again i see...

I feel like several times a year on here someone tries to claim, and also claim that it's backed by science, that certain races are more ticklish or laugh more than other races.

I find it more interesting that people are so stuck on this idea of how much race affects certain attributes or characteristics such as laugh/ticklishness.

It's also not so much about being stuck on it as much as it is about being curious and fascinated by it

 

[Jezebel Lee]

It's also not so much about being stuck on it as much as it is about being curious and fascinated by it

It’s fine to appreciate the beauty in different voices and accents ☺️ I certainly do! Just as long as no one’s putting anyone else down.

 

[tickle_maniac]

It’s fine to appreciate the beauty in different voices and accents ☺️ I certainly do! Just as long as no one’s putting anyone else down.

Learning about the idiosyncrasies of various regions and cultures when it comes to accents and intonations is one of my simple pleasures in life.... 😛

 

[Sunriseticklee]

Doesn't matter.... Race has no bearing on the manner or tone of laughter.

TMF members' opinions are not scientific facts. Basic observations from limited personal experiences are not reputable, objective pieces of data.

Stereotypes and generalizations about race on this forum encourage inaccurate beliefs, separation, and alienation. And yet, they persist.

For decades, we have seen posts that link the lighter the skin tone, the more ticklish the person is. Or the misconception that a particular race isn't as ticklish or don't like being tickled because a producer said so. And the list goes on and on.

Every once in awhile some of us speak out and push back. It doesn't change the minds of those who double down on their small-minded opinions, but it does gives me hope.
A little...

 

[TickleYeti]

It’s not about race or skin colour or whatever; it’s about accents. Like, different nationalities will have different accents and even within the same country, there’s still tons of differing regional accents.

I’ve learned somewhere that babies of different nationalities all cry differently, and the same goes for dogs barking or goats bleating. Logically, it would make sense if someone’s accent affects their laugh. That’s not entirely dictated by their ethnicity.

forreal thoooo I love how the different accents play out in tickling and laughter and begging haha I think part of that is me being a voice actor I clue in to accents instinctively but yea I could go on for days with folks about accents in tickling haha

 

[TickleYeti]

Doesn't matter.... Race has no bearing on the manner or tone of laughter.

TMF members' opinions are not scientific facts. Basic observations from limited personal experiences are not reputable, objective pieces of data.

Stereotypes and generalizations about race on this forum encourage inaccurate beliefs, separation, and alienation. And yet, they persist.

For decades, we have seen posts that link the lighter the skin tone, the more ticklish the person is. Or the misconception that a particular race isn't as ticklish or don't like being tickled because a producer said so. And the list goes on and on.

Every once in awhile some of us speak out and push back. It doesn't change the minds of those who double down on their small-minded opinions, but it does gives me hope.
A little...

I think at the end of the day, thats all we can do. We can't make people choose to be better, but we can show that not everyone is that way. In my mind its so important to encourage people, especially lurkers that may never comment, that there are people who are better than that in here too. Though I fully get that at the end of the day, sometimes we just don't have the spoons to deal with that and its totes ok to block and move on in that case too, but yea as lurky as I've been, I'll do my best now to chime in on posts with shitty premises and help correct, or at least show that we aren't all like that

 

[Sunriseticklee]

Nope... We can do much better. More community leaders need to speak out and more people need to stop pretending that these issues do not exist in kink.

We need less erasure of bad behavior. Sometimes instead of creating a carefully curated space, we need an honest space that allows us to remember that there are things for us to keep working on and fighting for. Sometimes we need to know that there are dangerous people with outdated and equally dangerous beliefs who should not be able to abuse and then hide behind erased responses and deleted threads. (making that people who speak out look like they are overreacting- and additionally creating spaces where some members feel silences, unsafe, and unwelcomed)

If you're not living it, understand that it isn't nearly enough to hope someone feels safe or welcome in this space because.... "It isn't all of us." One is too many, and too many let the behavior go in silence. That isn't the least bit comforting or helpful. 'And I am not here to provide ignorance a safe or soft place to land.

I want to know if someone actually doesn't have racially biased, discriminatory, or hateful views that will jeopardize my safety should we been physically in the same space. I want to know the kind of people I am speaking to. So nope, it isn't enough. Especially when people are too scared to speak up or speak truth to power, to misogyny, to racism, to bigotry and to hate.

So no.... More can always be done... Always.

In this case, enough people, leaders, members of different demographics and backgrounds were quick to shut down the misinformation. And that is the least that can be done.

Don't be afraid to speak up. ✌🏾

 

[TickleYeti]

That was what I was trying to get at, but you've stated it way better haha

 

[Sunriseticklee]

No- That's not what happened here. I did not say what you were getting at. I specifically spoke and pushed against the thoughts you expressed. But have a good day.

 

[TickleYeti]

No- That's not what happened here. I did not say what you were getting at. I specifically spoke and pushed against the thoughts you expressed. But have a good day.

Might have been a miscommunication then because you said everything that I was trying to. Might be a smidge of violent agreement, but sall good typed conversation is challenging at best and it can be easy to infer in a different direction from the intent of the typer, so let me clarify my intent for this I am #SameTeam when it comes to aggressively pushing for safety and inclusion for everyone deserving!

 

[Jamesplaining]

My two cents.

There is no evidence of ethnicity affecting laughter or ticklishness.

There is little evidence of gender affecting expression while tickled, and that there is no difference in ticklishness between males and females. This little difference could be culture-based, but we need to consider the WEIRD bias, so we do not have a real clue.

From the neurological perspective, laughter is connected with pre-speech communication, which is probably independent from culture – even though context can possibly influence expression.

 

[Jamesplaining]

Addendum. Personally, I’m skeptical about laughter being influenced by accent as well, because if we assume that to be a thing then we should also find different laughters at different latitudes within the same country.

I don’t know how it works outside, but here in Italy you can find different accents by simply move for 50km.