When you open the trashcan lid on a really hot summer
The image in question presents two women, with one in the foreground looking cheerful and the other in the background displaying a strong reaction of disgust. The accompanying caption reads, "When you open the trashcan lid on a really hot summer day," creating a humorous visual metaphor between the two depicted women and the described scenario.
The woman in the foreground is in sharp focus, smiling broadly at the camera, seemingly unaware of anything amiss. Her arm is raised high, similar to the action one might perform when lifting a lid. The comedy arises from the juxtaposition of her joyous expression against the idea of something as unpleasant as the odor from a trashcan on a hot day.
In stark contrast, the woman in the background, slightly out of focus, adds to the humor with her contorted facial features that suggest a strong sensory reaction. Her appearance mimics someone who has just encountered a foul smell, bringing to life the sensation being described in the caption as if she were indeed reacting to the whiff from the trashcan.
The image might be funny to people due to the relatable nature of the unpleasant experience it references. The comparison of opening a stinking trashcan with the reactions of the two women resonates with anyone who has ever been assaulted by an unexpectedly foul odor, and the exaggerated depiction amplifies the humor.
The humor also lies within the element of surprise and timing. The image of the happy woman sets up an expectation of something joyful or at least neutral, which is then subverted by the outlandish reaction of the second woman, delivering the punchline non-verbally through facial expression and body language.
Lastly, the image employs the universal language of emotive facial expressions to communicate and exaggerate the experience. People often find humor in over-the-top reactions, and the background woman's grossed-out response is exaggerated enough to turn the shared, usually unpleasant memory of encountering bad smells into a tongue-in-cheek joke.
When you open the trashcan lid on a really hot summer day
