Life’s Like That

SEEING THE FUNNY SIDE

1940s

Shortly before sailing for the Netherlands, I stopped at a chemist in New York to buy some bubble gum. It was still scarce at the time and I bought all their small stock.

“Going to have a party?” asked the assistant.

“No,” I said, “I’m taking it to my friends’ children in Holland. It’s still unknown there.”

As I turned to leave I overheard the assistant remark to another, “See that guy? He’s taking bubble gum to Holland; he’s going to civilise Europe!”

F.K. WILLEKES-MACDONALD, RD NOVEMBER 1947 Needing some clothes cleaned in a hurry, I searched the small town in which I was visiting until I found a sign which read: “Cleaning and Pressing, 24-Hour-Service.” After explaining my needs I said, “I’ll be back for my suit tomorrow.”

“Won’t be ready till Saturday,” replied the proprietor.

“But I thought you had 24-hourservice,” I protested.

“We do, son,” he said reproachfully. “But we only work eight hours a day. Today’s Thursday – eight hours today, eight hours Friday and eight on Saturday. That’s 24-hour service.”

That’s the way it was, too.

FRANK D. MCSHERRY JR, RD FEBRUARY 1949 It was rush hour on the railway, but I had managed to get a seat and was absorbed in conversation with my boyfriend, who stood in front of me.

Suddenly the woman beside me cut in: “Miss, would you mind changing the subject and talk about the weather or some other uninteresting topic?”

I stared at her with amazement, but before I could say anything she continued, “You see, I get up early, stand up all day, rush home to cook dinner and then do the dishes. The only chance I get for a nap is on the way home, and your conversation is so interesting it’s keeping me awake.”

I changed the subject.

C.C., RD NOVEMBER 1949