No, I am not performing, no....

[Moosedog]

I wonder sometime...

Recently a friend and I were driving in town and we stopped so I could run into the local chocolate shop to buy one exquisite truffle as a gift for a friend. I was the only customer; I quickly selected the treat and got out the exact change...But before I could make my request the young man behind the counter asked:

"Do you play the bagpipes?"

"No" (smiling)

"Well, you COULD, you know."

"Yes, but I choose not to" (still smiling)

"But you COULD"

"Yes, but I don't."

"I really think you should play the bagpipes!"

"May I just have that one Grand Marnier in front, please, in a small box?"

"You know there IS a pipe band in town. They rehearse right down the street!"

"You know, I just want a truffle, please." (now I am irritated)

"I really think you COULD play the bagpipes...I mean..." and his eyes travelled to my kilt.

"I wear a kilt because I like to, not because I want to play the bagpipes. May I have the truffle, please?"

I almost had to force him to take the money...he finally rang me up and as I exited I could still hear him opining "I see them in parades..they rehearse right down the road...!"

My friend asked what took me so long. I just laughed and pointed at my kilt and she understood.

Moosedog

[Rex_Tremende]

[He said, she said, he said, she said...]

Great story.

When I'm asked whether I play the pipes, I usually reply in deadpan, "No, I only play the radio." This tends to short-circuit things enough for me to move on pretty quickly. By your account, though, that may not have worked in this particular bonbonerie.

Regards,
Rex.