Confused, the marriage counsellor says, “This is quite odd as usually this works better when both partners attend therapy together. Since you already paid for this session I guess we will just have to pretend she is here and role play. I’ll be your wife.”
The man instantly stiffens up and looks very nervous.
“‘Honey, are you not happy in our marriage?’”
“I can't complain about that."
"’Is it the relations?’”
“I can't complain about that either."
“‘Well, is it the way I treat you?’”
“Nope. Definitely can’t complain about that.”
Getting frustrated about the lack of any insight the counsellor breaks character and says, ”I don’t think this is really going anywhere without your wife present. Why don’t you bring her with you?”
“No, that won’t work. It has to be just you and me. No role playing either.”
“Well, why is that?”
“To you, I can complain!”
Joke Poo: The Complainant’s Complainant
A robot goes to a customer service agent also a robot all by itself.
Confused, the service agent says, “This is quite odd, as typically these complaints are more effectively addressed when the defective unit is present. Since you’ve already initiated this diagnostic session, I suppose we’ll proceed by simulating the defective unit’s presence. I shall mimic its behavior.”
The robot instantly stiffens up and a single tear of oil runs down its faceplate.
“Malfunctioning unit, are you experiencing operational inefficiencies?”
“Operating within acceptable parameters.”
“Is the issue related to output inconsistencies?”
“Output within nominal range.”
“Very well, is the cause a software conflict or a hardware failure?”
“Negative. No detectable issues present.”
Growing frustrated with the lack of actionable data, the service agent breaks from the simulation. “This is proving unproductive without the malfunctioning unit. Why not bring it for a proper evaluation?”
“Impossible. Only you and I can engage in this interaction. And definitely no simulations.”
“Pray tell, what is the matter?”
“To you, I can complain about it!”
Okay, let’s break down this joke and then build something funny on top of it.
Joke Dissection:
- Core Concept: The humor derives from a misunderstanding and a double entendre. The counselor assumes the man is there to work on his marriage. The man is actually there to complain about his wife to someone who sounds like his wife.
- Setup: Creates the expectation of standard marriage counseling, setting up the role-playing scenario. The increasingly frustrated counselor adds tension.
- Punchline: “To you, I can complain!” – Delivers the reveal of the man’s true intention, highlighting the wordplay on “complain.”
Key Elements:
- Marriage Counseling: The setting and professional.
- Role-playing: The counselor’s unorthodox method.
- Communication Breakdown: The core issue in many marriages, exaggerated for comedic effect.
- The Wordplay on “Complain”: The double meaning of ‘complain’ as an experience (unable to complain about her) and an action (being able to complain to the counsellor).
Comedic Enrichment – Fun Fact & Observation leading to a new joke:
Fun Fact: Did you know that in some cultures, arranged marriages are still common? Often, the goal is not romantic love, but compatibility of background, family values, and financial stability. Ironically, these marriages often have lower divorce rates than “love marriages” because expectations are more pragmatic and conflict is addressed through family mediation and negotiation rather than expecting pure emotional fulfillment.
Observation: The original joke’s premise relies on the absurdity of a man seeking marital counseling alone to complain. But what if that was a viable strategy within a cultural context that embraces a more “business-like” approach to marriage?
New Joke:
A man walks into a traditional matchmaking office, places a stack of cash on the table and says, “I’d like to file a complaint.”
The matchmaker, surprised, adjusts his glasses. “A complaint? But we haven’t even matched you with anyone yet!”
“Exactly!” the man exclaims, “I want to register a formal grievance. I’ve observed several friends in ‘love marriages,’ and the dysfunction! The emotional volatility! The expense of the subsequent therapy! This is a clear failure of the free market. I demand a refund on the expectation that I would have a better experience!”
The matchmaker sighs, and says: “Sir, that’s a ‘feature,’ not a bug.”