Life in SA is similar - we have hilarious stories in the use of the word SERIOUS.
If it is used by a Zulu, A Xhosa, an Afrikaans speaker or in English one can lol and have a lot of fun.
Your story with the twony is very amusing - thank you.
I really enjoyed your last sentence.
You have a lovely sense of humour presented sometimes with the 'stiff upper lip' of a Brit which makes it even funnier.