JOLLY J!

My sister’s teammates at the Rotary International, Gigi and Grace (not their real names), are walking along the streets of Amsterdam, past souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and museums when suddenly a European man from a street corner calls their attention.

“Hey, where are the whores?” hollers out the male tourist who’s probably in his thirties.

“Horse?” a confused Gigi asks Grace. “Are there horses in this part of the city?”

“I’ve no idea,” replies Grace.

“No,” the man suddenly butts in with an amused look. “I’m looking for the whores.”

He then walks away, all the time laughing. (Amsterdam, Holland/May 2001)

A work colleague’s wife teaches chemistry in one of Manila’s universities.

One day, at the beginning of a new semester, she encounters a unique family name during the standard roll call.

“Miss Pukis, are you here?” she calls out, looking at the sea of unknown student faces before her.

“Present, Ma’am,” replies the obviously embarrassed Miss Pukis.

“Okay, Miss Pukis. About your family name…would that be singular or plural?” (Manila, Philippines/Sometime in 1992)