Peter (the first )

I recently tried to lighten a thread ("Back From Italy&quot that was becoming extremely serious in tone by making a pun on the word 'table' which, of course, can refer to either a piece of furniture or the food placed upon a table to be eaten. Upon learning that the alleged remains of the table of the last supper could be found in a church in Venice, I just couldn't stop myself from envisioning half-eaten chicken legs preserved in marble - and made a comment to the effect that I'd seen enough messy kitchens in my time. I expected to be reprimanded for making a very corny (silly) joke: instead I was sternly directed to do more research before dismissing the church in question as a site of cultural importance.

What that exchange reminded me is that humour doesn't always translate well at the best of times. One can't know the personal experiences of one's audience which might make them unreceptive to particular types of humour. Plus, the risk of misunderstanding is particularly great on the Internet, wherein one can't convey one's tone of voice, let alone one's pronounciation.

By the way, I think I'll just call him 'that Vincent guy' from now on, and avoid your dilemma altogether.