Sopmetimes they are quite good jokes that would be better detached from the setting of national or regional stereotypes - because we aren't the same, and can laugh at our differences. But the differences don't run between nations but through families.

When we hear the jokes as being about Cousin Fred, or Aunty Doreen, rather than about a stereotypical mean Scot or randy Essex girl we can laugh at them, if they are funny, without feeling mean about all the generous Scots we know are there, or the reserved Essex girls.