I work with a geographically distributed team (different timezones) with people from various cultures and background. Some of us have never met each other in person but we communicate with each other over phone, chat and email almost on an hourly basis.

Most of our meetings and discussions are dead serious and boring. What's worse, any attempt at humor is not very well received because of cultural differences.

I feel that we are all taking our work a bit too seriously. We don't shy away from painful arguments, nasty emails and heated discussions when things go wrong but never attempt to develop camaraderie or friendships in better times.

I would like to know your experiences with such situations and what, if anything, did you do to lighten things up at workplace.