If you go through the personal ads on a dating site, at least the more mainstream ones, a good sense of humour seems to be a one of the most important attributes. Yet, when it's highlighted as somebody's best trait, you immediately know that you're dealing with quite an eyesore.

Yes, we've learnt to decode it, as with "a great catch" (says your mum), "seeking friendship, maybe more" (sex if you fancy me), "romantic" (dinner, then sex) and "affectionate" (bunny boiler).

But, as with personal hygiene, although you wouldn't necessarily advertise it, you notice when it's missing. So it stings when we're told that we're a humourless bunch here in Catalunya.

This weekend, however, there's an opportunity to assess how Catalans measure up with English, French, Spanish, and even Swedish-speakers at the multilingual Barcelona International Comedy Festival.