2013-11-21
Explanation
The Joke
The caption reads "Life tip: Once you're old enough, you can make any joke in any setting." An elderly man in suspenders and thick glasses is standing in an elementary school classroom (a banner reads "Take your Grandpa to school day!") and cheerfully telling a crude joke: "Why is my penis like a cosmonaut? Both burn on re-entry!" A female teacher looks on in horror while a small red-haired child sits nearby.
The Humor
The joke plays on the social observation that elderly people are often given a "pass" for saying outrageous or inappropriate things in public settings. The specific setting -- a wholesome elementary school event called "Take your Grandpa to school day" -- maximizes the contrast between the innocent context and the extremely vulgar joke about painful urination (or friction). The teacher's horrified expression and the child's oblivious presence heighten the absurdity. The "life tip" framing presents this social immunity as aspirational life advice, as if growing old enough to say anything without consequences is one of the perks of aging.