History Literature / JetlagTravelGuides

* HollywoodGenetics: Phaic Tănese botanists have apparently managed to graft watermelon with cressantheum and orchids with kidney beans.

* CultureChopSuey: All of the countries presented in the guides are a mish-mash of stereotypes from the region in which they belong. Molvanîa represents all of central and eastern Europe, Phaic Tăn represents south-east Asia, and San Sombrèro represents central America.

* {{Qurac}}: The Unaudited Arab Emirates, a {{Pun}} on the United Arab Emirates, is mentioned several times in the guides. The country is a desert republic and a "shopper's paradise", full of luxurious hotels and [=BMWs=].

* TheMafiya: Aside from the home-grown slavic Molvanîan mafia, the russian mafia is also present, many of its members being foreign dignitaries.

* TrueArtIsIncomprehensible: InUniverse, the Vcetrezen art gallery has a minimalist style, with one room being completely empty, save for a small fire-hose. Philippe, of course, thinks it is high art, better than the "populist" national art gallery.

* HolidayInCambodia: Phaic Tăn presents all of the subtropes associated with south-east asian stereotypes: jungles, guerilla warfare, near-constant rain, Buddhism and others.

* {{Bulungi}}: Several other countries are mentioned in the guides, among them ''Bongoswana'' and ''Despotswana'', african nations with brutal colonial pasts.

* DirtyCommies: Molvanîa is an ex-soviet republic, and the populace isn't exactly the friendliest. Meanwhile, several guerilla groups in Phaic Tăn have adopted maoism.

* NamedworldAndNamedland: The nordic country of ''Pfaffländ''.

** In ''Phaic Tăn'', Her Royal Highness Queen Suahm Luprang weight is mentioned constantly.

* BoomerangBigot[=/=]SelfDeprecation: It is mentioned in the description of one of Phaic Tăn's restaurants that, because no drinks are allowed, you won't be bothered by [[LandDownUnder australian]] tourists.

* FatBastard: Mentioning Her Royal Highness Queen Suahm Luprang's "ample girth" is punishable by law.

-->''"Whilst primarily Buddhist, over the years the people of [[{{Pun}} Sukkondat]] have absorbed a wide variety of religious influences, including '''UsefulNotes/{{Taoism}}''', '''Animism''', '''UsefulNotes/{{Hinduism}}''' and '''UsefulNotes/{{Sikhism}}'''. Because of this the dominant religion throughout the province could best be described as '''Confusionism'''."''
* MixAndMatchCritters: In the famous allegory ''The Ranayayan'', ''Tekhnah'' is "the god of disappointment, features the head of an elephant, the body of a horse and the genitalia of a wood mouse".

The ''Jetlag Travel Guides'' are a collection of books [[{{Parody}} parodying]] travelling guides, relying on RapidFireComedy and the perceived [[NationalStereotypes stereotypes]] surrounding the people living in the regions portrayed within. The books were written by [[UsefulNotes/{{Australia}} australian]] comedians [[Creator/{{WorkingDogProductions}} Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Rob Sitch]] of ''The D-Generation'' fame.

** In ''Phaic Tăn'', Her Royal Highness Queen Suahm Luprang wright is mentioned constantly.

-->''"Whilst primarily Buddhist, over the years the people of [[StealthPun Sukkondat]] have absorbed a wide variety of religious influences, including '''UsefulNotes/{{Taoism}}''', '''Animism''', '''UsefulNotes/{{Hinduism}}''' and '''UsefulNotes/{{Sikhism}}'''. Because of this the dominant religion throughout the province could best be described as '''Confusionism'''."''

* TheCoronerDothProtestTooMuch: The "Father of Modern Molvanîa", Szlonko Busjbusj died of natural causes: "he was assassinated".
* GirlsWithMoustaches: Saint Cvorbcek, a woman, is described as "a bearded figure".

* MyOtherCarIsAnX: A bumper sticker craze has taken over the town of Jzerbo. One of the reads "My other car is a tractor".

* OverlyLongName: In the town of Dzrebo, there is "The Church of the Blessed Holy Sisters of the Discalced Flower of theImmaculate Virgin Incarnate".

* TechnologyMarchesOn: In ''Molvanîa'', each hotel has its fax number listed. This is no longer the case in subsequent guides.

* AnachronismStew: Most of the countries contain a blend of ancient or pre-WWII structures combined with modern hotels. PlayedForLaughs in Phaic Tăn, where ancient temples have modern steel doors.

* {{Ruritania}}: An [[ExaggeratedTrope exaggeration]] of the worst aspects of the trope. The country is an ex-soviet republic run by the mafia, everyone is poor, the country is embroiled in a brutal civil war, the language is hideously difficult to learn, the people are unfriendly and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking the cafes are over-priced]].
* VodkaDrunkenski: Aside from Vodka, garlic brandy (''zeestrum'') is also very popular with the citizens of Molvanîa.

* TheCoronerDothProtestTooMuch: One of Phaic Tăn's president died of natural causes: "he was assassinated".

-->''"As in many Asian cultures, it is considered rude to point with the finger. If you need to indicate a direction ot signify something, do so with a series of sharp pelvic thrusts that will generally get the message across."''

* BreadEggsMilkSquick: Even mere abbreviations contain humour:

--> DC      Doners Club

* BoomerangBigot[=/=]SelfDeprecation: It is mentioned in the description of one of Phaic Tăn's restaurants that, because no drinks are allowed, you won't be bothered by [[LandDownUnder australian]] tourists.

* {{Bulungi}}: Several other countries are mentioned in the guides, among them ''Bonngoswana'' and ''Despotswana'', african nations with brutal colonial pasts.

* InterfaithSmoothie: The religion of Phaic Tăn, which contains influences from Buddhism, Taoism and others, can best be described as "Confusionism".

* HurricaneOfPuns: Oh boy. All of the foreign names are basically English-language puns. For instance, ''Whét pù'' apparently means ''[[{{Squick}} diarrhoe]]'' in Phaic Tăn's language, or San Sombrèro's ''San Abandonio'' city. ''Phaic Tăn'' is pronounced as "fake tan". Some puns are specifically ''Australian'' English puns, such as the city of ''Bung Lung'' ("bung" in Australian English meaning "failed").

* RapidFireComedy: How most of the books operate. Every page will have roughly three paragraphs with two jokes each, pictures with a caption underneath, or fact boxes/tips from one of the contributors. With about 6 jokes per page, you'll be hard pressed to not find anything that doesn't make you at least smile.

* TakeThat: To all travel guides who persuade you to visit the country/region which they talk about, ''escpecially'' the ''Lonely Planet'' guides. None of the places portrayed in the Jetlag Travel Guides are worth visiting (or safe).

All of the books look and feel like actual travel books made by real companies, such as ''Cadogan Guides'' or anything made by ''Lonely Planet'', complete with information about history, culture, maps and special offers for other (nonexistent) guides. Some people have even been fooled into thinking the countries present actually exist. Each book features several "contributors", such as [[FrenchJerk Philippe Miseree]], who is present in all of the main three guides. The jokes are mostly [[{{Squick}} scatological]] and sexual in nature, with [[{{Pun}} puns]] and BaitAndSwitch comments of all kinds being present. The RapidFireComedy and exploitation of stereotypes will make the reader either suffer from uncontrollable laughter or feel offended.

* TakeThat: To all travel guides who persuade you to visit the country/region which they talk about. None of the places portrayed in the Jetlag Travel Guides are worth visiting (or safe).

All of the books look and feel like actual travel books made by real companies, such as ''Cadogan Guides'', complete with information about history, culture, maps and special offers for other (nonexistent) guides. Some people have even been fooled into thinking the countries present actually exist. Each book features several "contributors", such as [[FrenchJerk Philippe Miseree]], who is present in all of the main three guides. The jokes are mostly [[{{Squick}} scatological]] and sexual in nature, with [[{{Pun}} puns]] and BaitAndSwitch comments of all kinds being present. The RapidFireComedy and exploitation of stereotypes will make the reader either suffer from uncontrollable laughter or feel offended.

* GranolaGirl: Helena Ddørk (the "ø" has an umlaut, creating a letter which doesn't exist), an eco-tourism expert, will do anything to protect the environment, up to and including not stepping on the ground.

[[caption-width-right:300: Clockwise from top-left: ''[[{{Ruritania}} Molvanîa: A Land Untouched by Modern Dentistry]]'', ''[[FarEast Phaic Tăn: Sunstroke on a Shoestring]]'', ''[[BananaRepublic San Sombrèro: A Land of Carnivals, Cocktails and Coups]]'' and ''Traditional Molvanîan Baby Names: With Meanings, Derivations And Probable Pronunciations''.]]

* FarEast: A rare example which lacks Japanese or Chinese elements.