George Mikes
Explore the life, humorous works, and legacy of George Mikes (1912–1987). Known for How to Be an Alien, Mikes offered gentle satire of national quirks. Learn about his biography, style, memorable quotes, and lasting influence.
Introduction
George Mikes (born György Mikes, 15 February 1912 – 30 August 1987) was a Hungarian-born author, journalist, and humorist who became a British citizen. He is best remembered for his witty, affectionate satirical commentaries on national characters—especially his famous How to Be an Alien, in which he humorously dissects English life from an outsider’s perspective.
Though much of his work is light, he also engaged serious issues—politics, exile, identity, and history—and wrote in both English and Hungarian.
Early Life and Family
George was born in Siklós, then in Austria-Hungary, into a Jewish family. Alfréd Mikes, was a lawyer and hoped his son would follow that profession.
He studied law at the Royal Hungarian Pázmány Péter University in Budapest and obtained his doctorate (PhD) in 1933.
Over time, his journalistic work gained prominence, and in 1938 he was sent to London as a correspondent for Hungarian newspapers Reggel and 8 Órai Ujság.
Why He Stayed in England
Mikes had intended to return to Hungary after covering the Munich Crisis, but as political conditions deteriorated and the danger to Jewish people in Europe intensified, he chose to remain in England permanently.
During World War II, Mikes worked with the BBC Hungarian Service, producing broadcasts to Hungary. 1940, he was interned on the Isle of Man (as an “enemy alien” during wartime), but even there he engaged in literary activity (for example publishing a camp journal).
After the war, he naturalised as a British citizen (in 1947).
Career: Humor, Journalism & More
Breakthrough with How to Be an Alien
In 1946, Mikes published How to Be an Alien, arguably his signature work.
This book combines sharp observation and gentle satire to explore English customs through the eyes of an “alien” (i.e., non-English). It pokes fun at queues, manners, understatement, food, and even sexuality. The book’s famous “Sex” chapter is just one sentence:
“Continental people have sex lives; the English have hot water bottles.”
By 1966, How to Be an Alien had reached its 32nd impression and sold over 300,000 copies in Britain.
Because of its popularity, Mikes became “the author of How to Be an Alien,” a label he sometimes lamented, as many of his other works were less widely known.
Other Works & Diverse Interests
Mikes was prolific. His bibliography includes more than forty books, with many humorous, satirical, travel, and cultural commentary works. Some notable titles:
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How to Be Inimitable (1960)
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How to Be Decadent (1977)
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How to Be Poor (1983)
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How to Be God (1986)
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Tsi-Tsa: the Biography of a Cat (1978)
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How to be Seventy (1982), his autobiography
Besides humour, he addressed political and historical themes:
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A Study in Infamy: The operations of the Hungarian Secret Police (AVO) (1959)
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The Hungarian Revolution (1957)
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A biography of his friend Arthur Koestler: Arthur Koestler; The Story of a Friendship
He also contributed to journalism: writing in The Observer, TLS, Encounter, and Hungarian publications.
From 1975 until his death, he worked with Radio Free Europe’s Hungarian section.
Style, Voice & Themes
Humour with Civility
Mikes’s humour is light, affectionate, ironic. He rarely seeks to sting; instead, he gently reveals absurdities in national customs, social forms, and human vanity. His outsider’s perspective gives him the distance to see the quirks of British life in a playful way.
The Observant Outsider
His identity as an immigrant and exile sharpened his sensibilities. He often sees what natives take for granted, and translates rituals, etiquette, and unspoken norms into amusing contrast.
Irony, Paradox & Compression
Mikes was economical: many of his jokes work in a sentence or a paragraph. He uses paradox, understatement, and witty understatement to make a point.
National Character & Identity
Much of his writing is about national identity: how people in different lands think, behave, and justify themselves. He writes travel sketches, social commentary, and cross-cultural comparisons.
Famous Quotes
Here are a few of his more memorable lines:
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“Continental people have sex lives; the English have hot water bottles.”
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“The French have cuisine. The English have good table manners.” (Often quoted, reflecting his wit about national diets)
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“It is all right to have central heating in an English home, except in the bathroom, because that is the only place where you are naked and wet at the same time.”
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(On English panic) “They do, but very quietly; it is impossible for the naked eye to tell their panic from their ecstasy.” (Often attributed in commentary)
His quotes often juxtapose cultural stereotypes with self-deprecating humor and observational insight.
Legacy & Influence
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How to Be an Alien remains a classic in British humor.
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His books have been used in English language teaching and as cultural primers.
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He influenced later humorists and essayists writing on exile, identity, and national character.
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Beyond comedy, his serious works (on politics, Hungary, exile) contribute to émigré literature.
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For immigrants and expatriates, his voice resonates: he shows how humor can bridge cultural difference.
Lessons & Reflections
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Humor as a lens of insight
Comedy need not be trivial—through wit, one can reveal cultural blind spots and social anxieties. -
Distance gives clarity
As someone partly outside two cultures, Mikes could see both with fresh eyes. -
Brevity is power
A single sharp sentence can sometimes express more than a page of commentary. -
Balance satire with affection
He mocked English foibles but often with warmth and respect, not malice. -
Embrace hybridity
His life as a Hungarian in Britain shows the potential richness of dual perspectives.
Conclusion
George Mikes remains a distinctive voice in 20th-century humor and exile literature. His How to Be an Alien captured postwar England’s awkwardness and social rituals with precision, while his broader oeuvre shows a mind curious about the world, cultural difference, and identity. His legacy persists for those who appreciate satire that entertains but also enlightens.