Presenting and perceiving humour in Estonian tourism settings Cover Image

Presenting and perceiving humour in Estonian tourism settings
Presenting and perceiving humour in Estonian tourism settings

Author(s): Marit Piirman, Katrin Saks
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Sociology, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, Identity of Collectives
Published by: Krakowskie Towarzystwo Popularyzowania Wiedzy o Komunikacji Językowej Tertium
Keywords: tourism; perception of humour; sense of humour; customer service; Estonia;

Summary/Abstract: Humour plays a significant role in everyday interactions. Individuals perceive humour differently and experience various emotions, from exaltation to umbrage. Therefore, providing humorous communication in customer service is challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of humour in a tourism customer service context. In the first part of the study, representatives of Estonian tourism companies were asked their opinions about using humour in communication with their clients. They provided examples of the use of humour in customer service situations, which were then evaluated by potential tourists in the second part of the study. The results of the evaluation were analysed in relation to the respondents’ sense of humour. The findings were discussed in line with the four implicatures of humour.

  • Issue Year: 9/2021
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 189-208
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: English